An Association staff member shared with us in worship last fall about how impressed they were with our inclusion of people with disabilities at Trinity. The remark surprised me a little because I feel that we are always being challenged to find ways to be inclusive. The UCC is taking steps to support congregations with resources designed to help local churches understand the special needs of our members and friends. Trinity has a history of caring, which stretches back to the days of Leo Keil and the house christened after him. David Kiewit is the current Hope Homes director and he will be at Trinity on August 7th. David tells the story about how his father began the Hope Homes project with a $5 gift from a concerned mother who wanted the church to find ways to care for her child when she was no longer able.
In partnership with the church's Disabilities Ministries, the Mental Illness Network will present the second national Widening the Welcome II: Inclusion for All conference Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at the Doubletree Inn in Columbus, Ohio. I hope that several of you will attend with me. This is a National event and we are fortunate that it is taking place so close to us. Mental Health issues affect each family. Widening our welcome in understanding the challenges faced by those who suffer is an intentional act leading to our goal of radical hospitality.
The conference – which drew 235 people to its debut event last fall in St. Louis – aims to educate about these disorders and disabilities, as well as help congregations develop Accessible to All (A2A) covenants and mental-health ministries. National statistics indicate that at least one in four families is affected by mental illness, brain disorder or other disability.
"At the St. Louis conference, the whole committee realized that we could not simply stop at one gathering," said the Rev. Kirk Moore, Widening the Welcome web administrator,"We sensed that a movement was beginning and wanted to build on our experience to help make a widened welcome a reality across our denomination.
"This year's conference builds on the close relationship of the UCC, its Disabilities Ministries and Mental Illness Network. It seeks to show how Widening the Welcome weaves those ministries, and really, all ministries, of the UCC together."
Keynote speakers this year are: Thomas E. Reynolds, associate professor of theology at Emmanuel College and author of "Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality"; Carolyn Thompson, whose concentration is on raising awareness and understanding of disability and access issues in congregations and larger church bodies; the Rev. J. Bennett Guess, UCC director of Publishing, Identity and Communication who has been nominated to become executive minister of UCC Local Church Ministries; and Christine Guth, program director for Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADNet), a disability advocacy organization affiliated with Mennonites and related denominations.
This year's slate of speakers, preachers and workshop leaders will bring considerable experience to the conference, says an enthusiastic Johnson. "In a variety of ways, they have been affected by these issues personally and have worked in this field of inclusion. We seek to invite, and even urge, congregations to take up leadership in this vanguard ministry."
Kathi Wilson, chaplain at Emmaus Homes in Marthasville, Mo., took part in last year's event and plans to be in Columbus in September. "I was particularly thrilled because of my call and background to see a conference such as Widening the Welcome come to fruition," she said. "I see it as a concrete work in our desire to put the faith of our heart into the living way of Jesus." Emmaus Homes' mission is to enhance the quality of life for all people with cognitive, intellectual and other brain disorders.
Throughout its 54-year history, the UCC has highlighted, approved and enacted resolutions related to disabilities and mental illnesses/brain disorders.
Please consider taking part in this important form of Christian Hospitality.
In partnership with the church's Disabilities Ministries, the Mental Illness Network will present the second national Widening the Welcome II: Inclusion for All conference Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at the Doubletree Inn in Columbus, Ohio. I hope that several of you will attend with me. This is a National event and we are fortunate that it is taking place so close to us. Mental Health issues affect each family. Widening our welcome in understanding the challenges faced by those who suffer is an intentional act leading to our goal of radical hospitality.
The conference – which drew 235 people to its debut event last fall in St. Louis – aims to educate about these disorders and disabilities, as well as help congregations develop Accessible to All (A2A) covenants and mental-health ministries. National statistics indicate that at least one in four families is affected by mental illness, brain disorder or other disability.
"At the St. Louis conference, the whole committee realized that we could not simply stop at one gathering," said the Rev. Kirk Moore, Widening the Welcome web administrator,"We sensed that a movement was beginning and wanted to build on our experience to help make a widened welcome a reality across our denomination.
"This year's conference builds on the close relationship of the UCC, its Disabilities Ministries and Mental Illness Network. It seeks to show how Widening the Welcome weaves those ministries, and really, all ministries, of the UCC together."
Keynote speakers this year are: Thomas E. Reynolds, associate professor of theology at Emmanuel College and author of "Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality"; Carolyn Thompson, whose concentration is on raising awareness and understanding of disability and access issues in congregations and larger church bodies; the Rev. J. Bennett Guess, UCC director of Publishing, Identity and Communication who has been nominated to become executive minister of UCC Local Church Ministries; and Christine Guth, program director for Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADNet), a disability advocacy organization affiliated with Mennonites and related denominations.
This year's slate of speakers, preachers and workshop leaders will bring considerable experience to the conference, says an enthusiastic Johnson. "In a variety of ways, they have been affected by these issues personally and have worked in this field of inclusion. We seek to invite, and even urge, congregations to take up leadership in this vanguard ministry."
Kathi Wilson, chaplain at Emmaus Homes in Marthasville, Mo., took part in last year's event and plans to be in Columbus in September. "I was particularly thrilled because of my call and background to see a conference such as Widening the Welcome come to fruition," she said. "I see it as a concrete work in our desire to put the faith of our heart into the living way of Jesus." Emmaus Homes' mission is to enhance the quality of life for all people with cognitive, intellectual and other brain disorders.
Throughout its 54-year history, the UCC has highlighted, approved and enacted resolutions related to disabilities and mental illnesses/brain disorders.
Please consider taking part in this important form of Christian Hospitality.
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