Disability Ministries Newsletter - December 2009
Friends,
Please note out Conference Disability Ministries Newsletter will be sent out approximately every 5 to 6 weeks beginning with this issue. If you know of anyone who would benefit from this Newsletter and does not have internet access, send their name and address to Debbie Wade (address below). We do not want to leave anyone out, but hope that the “snail-mailings” will be few, so that our expenses will be kept to a minimum. all pastors and all local church disability ministries chairs should sign up for this Newsletter. Why? Because it is a vital ministry for our Church and for ALL Christians --- Disability Ministries is missions, evangelism, justice ministry and, most importantly, following Christ’s example!
One of the major aspects of Jesus' earthly ministry was His interaction with and outreach to people with disabilities. Time and time again, He offered invitations for the deaf, lame, diseased and blind to enter the Kingdom of God by the gift of salvation. Jesus also performed many mighty acts in these people's lives by healing them. We who are Christians should follow Christ's example. Just as He made ministry with people with disabilities a big part of His ministry, so should we!
Statistics also show why Christians should care about disability ministries.
- There are over 900,000 people living in the state of Alabama over the age of 5 with disabilities. (This does not include those persons living in institutions or those under the age of 5.)
- 80% of all marriages end in divorce once a disability enters the family.
- Depression is 15% to 20% higher among those who are chronically ill or disabled. (NOTE: However, the significance of one's faith has shown to lower the risk of depressive symptoms and aid in better handling a stressful medical event!)
- Various studies report physical illness or uncontrollable physical pain are major factors in up to 70% of suicides; and more than 50% of these suicidal patients were under 35 years of age.
- One major disability in our area is Autism. Currently, the nationwide statistic is that 1 in every 150 births will become an child with Autism.
- 53% of people with disabilities do not attend church! Talk about a field to harvest!!! This is Social Justice; this is Evangelism – “Bring Them In”!
- The United Methodist Book of Discipline (2008) states that United Methodist are to minister to people with disabilities. Every local church is to have an annual Disability Awareness Sunday and complete an annual Accessibility Audit.
- The number one reason why people with disabilities stay away from church, according to That All May Worship, is that they are not made to feel welcome!!! It is attitudinal barriers – not architectural barriers that tend to keep them away!
SEMAR puts “disability” this way: "To not have a disability is a condition that very few people have for only a short period of time. If you live long enough, you will join the rest of us where your life is either controlled by your disabilities or you choose to emphasize your abilities." Putting it another way: the disability group is the only group that anyone can join at anytime! Just because a person does not have a disability – just because no one in a local church has a disability – does not mean that it will remain that way!
Why would any Christian not care? Why would any Pastor not see that his/her church held an annual Disability Awareness Sunday? Why would any of us – as United Methodists – as Christians – not support Disability Ministries efforts?
Lets all do our part to make it possible for ALL of God’s children to worship Him by opening our hearts, minds and doors!
Debbie Wade
North Alabama Conference Disability Ministries
Petitions passed at annual conference 2009 has your church complied with them?
Petitions passed by Consent Agenda at the 2009 Annual Conference --- Has your Church complied with these? If not, why not? All United Methodists are to do these….if we say we are United Methodists, let’s do that which makes us united!
(1) Whereas the new 2008 DISCIPLINE of the United Methodist Church states that “there shall be in each annual conference a committee on disability concerns…[and that this committee] “shall include persons with physical disabilities and persons with mental disabilities” we ask the North Alabama Conference to require each local church to submit names of persons with physical or mental disabilities who would be willing to serve in the area of disability ministry concerns whether locally, on the district level or on the conference level. Names should be submitted to the Convener of Disability Ministry Concerns [currently, Debbie Wade, debowade@bellsouth.net] by the end of the year 2009.
(2) Whereas the new 2008 DISCIPLINE of the United Methodist Church states that “Disability Awareness Sunday shall be observed annually on a date to be determined by the annual conference…Disability Awareness Sunday calls the Church to celebrate the gifts and graces of persons with disabilities and calls the Church and society to full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the community…if the annual conference so directs, an offering may be received and the funds used by the annual conference[disability concerns team]…” we call on the North Alabama Conference to officially require (1) that each local church will hold an annual disability awareness Sunday [information and/or speakers may be provided by the conference disability awareness team] and that (2) a special offering will be held on the awareness day and all monies sent to the special disability ministry fund (an 896 fund) of the North Alabama Conference [such money will be available in the form of matching grants [as funds are available] to local churches applying for assistance to make their building/congregation accessible – both architecturally and attitudinally].
How To Become A Bridge Builder Church And Receive Special Conference Recognition:
- Have a lay member designated as Director of Disability Ministries for the local church
- Have proof of an active Disability Ministry by
- having at least one Handicapped Parking spot marked with appropriate sign
- show at least three things the church has done during the year to help those with disabilities (directly or indirectly---for example, one thing all churches can do is to show that instead of an asterisk to mean “congregation stands,” the asterisk will mean “that all who are able and wish to do so should stand.”)
- having a Disability Ministry Fund (no set amount required)
- give to the District Disability Ministry Fund and the North Alabama Conference Disability Fund (no set amount…give as able)
- Show that the local church has had an annual Disability Awareness Sunday.
- Show that the local church has completed an annual Accessibility Audit.
Churches meeting the above criteria will receive a certificate showing that they are Bridge Builders for the current year. Churches will receive a certificate every year that the above criteria are met.
Some members of Somerville United Methodist (NE District) building a ramp for the North Alabama Conference Disability Ministries’ R.A.M.P. program
Tell us how your congregation is following Jesus’ example in Disability Ministries
To Honor the requests Made at Annual Conference and to acknowledge the importance of following Jesus’ example in Disability Ministries, please complete the short form and return it prior to the DECEMBER 31, 2009 deadline. You may complete it online or print a copy and mail to Debbie Wade, 962 Black Rd., Somerville, AL 35670.
Click here to complete the form online.
Click here to download and print the form to mail.
Also, please make sure you Local Church’s Chair of Disability Ministries was included in the officers your church input online as part of Charge Conference work. If this person was not included it’s not too late to enter their name now!
Thank you and May God Richly Bless You and Your Congregation!
For more information:
Contact: Debbie Wade, North Alabama Conference Convener of Disability Ministries:
Home (256) 778-7783
Cell (256) 303-1527
Address 962 Black Road / Somerville, AL 35670
Email: debowade@bellsouth.net
*We are currently updating our information on the various District Directors of Disability Ministries. When this is finalized, we will send out a list and Churches can contact their own District Directors instead of having to contact Debbie each time.