disability ministry weekly round-up {11-21-11}
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Woodbine church "adopts" autism classes: I love what this church has done, "adopting" classes in the public school system to ensure that kids with special needs in their district have the basic educational tools they need. What a great outreach!
Autism and Cyberchurch: The Easier Option: Honestly, I think the better option would be for the church to step up to make the physical church environment a more welcoming, less hostile option for these families, but - especially in areas in which churches aren't stepping up to include the indispensable parts (per 1 Corinthians 12:22) - this article and the comments give good food for thought.
Down syndrome test will enable scientists to detect condition in the womb: This article about Down syndrome testing that is less invasive than previous methods has the sub-headline, "breakthrough could prove highly controversial as it could lead to an increase in abortions."
Column: Will America cull people with Down syndrome? As a follow-up to the article above, Dr. Brian Skotko addresses the issues that come along with new testing options. Pray to the Life-Giver that life - all life, regardless of ability level - will be valued and protected.
The Bible, Disability, and The Church: I haven't gotten this book yet, but I will. I found myself agreeing and disagreeing with various points in the author's theological tome about Down syndrome.
Accessible Church Websites: How could your church website - which is the first entry point to your church for many visitors - be more welcoming to people with disabilities?
Autism and God: This post is written by a Jewish man about his son's understanding of God, but I think it is helpful for Christians as well.
Faith and Disability: This blogger - who has Becker's Muscular Dystrophy - responds to a question about how faith in God makes a difference in the face of disability.
The Poorest of the Poor: A compelling piece about why our overseas missions efforts shouldn't leave out those with disabilities. I hope to have more to share with you in the near future about how we, as Christians in the US, can reach out to people with disabilities in other countries.
99 Balloons: As a hint to what I'll be sharing soon about international efforts, read this.
Love is an action word: Yes. Yes. And yes. Jo is a momma of a kiddo with special needs, and her words encourage me.
Father of autistic child pleas for better ministry to the disabled: This movement isn't just happening in the US; this article is from Australia.
Fidget toys: Do they really work? Great article on how to and how not to use fidget toys in ministry settings.
Handmade gifts from special needs moms that pay for their kids' therapies: Looking for gift ideas for Christmas? Here are some options that will let you support a mom who is selling handmade items to pay for her child's needs.
Teaching tips: How can a teacher get a group of kids to settle down? Here's one strategy that worked for Katie, and I bet it will give you more ideas for similar techniques that might help kids settle - without nagging - in your Sunday school classes.
Man in the Arena: Good perspective on balancing time in the arena and times of rest.
Visiting Church with Your Special Needs Child: Great story and tips from my friend Sandra.
Ethan's first church service: A great story of one child with autism flourishing in his first "big church" experience!
And this song (via youTube, but note that the "video" is just a still of the album cover, so it's for your listening pleasure, not really viewing!) is precious in sharing truth that families with special needs can cling to. It's also precious to me on a personal level because it came out less than a year after I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis; I heard it for the first time as I pulled into a specialist's office for yet another complication with my health, this time one that we feared would endanger our unborn son. The outcome of that complication was not damaging to our son, but the song resonated with me then and still does now. I've never made it through with dry eyes.
Autism and Cyberchurch: The Easier Option: Honestly, I think the better option would be for the church to step up to make the physical church environment a more welcoming, less hostile option for these families, but - especially in areas in which churches aren't stepping up to include the indispensable parts (per 1 Corinthians 12:22) - this article and the comments give good food for thought.
Down syndrome test will enable scientists to detect condition in the womb: This article about Down syndrome testing that is less invasive than previous methods has the sub-headline, "breakthrough could prove highly controversial as it could lead to an increase in abortions."
Column: Will America cull people with Down syndrome? As a follow-up to the article above, Dr. Brian Skotko addresses the issues that come along with new testing options. Pray to the Life-Giver that life - all life, regardless of ability level - will be valued and protected.
The Bible, Disability, and The Church: I haven't gotten this book yet, but I will. I found myself agreeing and disagreeing with various points in the author's theological tome about Down syndrome.
Accessible Church Websites: How could your church website - which is the first entry point to your church for many visitors - be more welcoming to people with disabilities?
Autism and God: This post is written by a Jewish man about his son's understanding of God, but I think it is helpful for Christians as well.
Faith and Disability: This blogger - who has Becker's Muscular Dystrophy - responds to a question about how faith in God makes a difference in the face of disability.
The Poorest of the Poor: A compelling piece about why our overseas missions efforts shouldn't leave out those with disabilities. I hope to have more to share with you in the near future about how we, as Christians in the US, can reach out to people with disabilities in other countries.
99 Balloons: As a hint to what I'll be sharing soon about international efforts, read this.
Love is an action word: Yes. Yes. And yes. Jo is a momma of a kiddo with special needs, and her words encourage me.
Father of autistic child pleas for better ministry to the disabled: This movement isn't just happening in the US; this article is from Australia.
Fidget toys: Do they really work? Great article on how to and how not to use fidget toys in ministry settings.
Handmade gifts from special needs moms that pay for their kids' therapies: Looking for gift ideas for Christmas? Here are some options that will let you support a mom who is selling handmade items to pay for her child's needs.
Teaching tips: How can a teacher get a group of kids to settle down? Here's one strategy that worked for Katie, and I bet it will give you more ideas for similar techniques that might help kids settle - without nagging - in your Sunday school classes.
Man in the Arena: Good perspective on balancing time in the arena and times of rest.
Visiting Church with Your Special Needs Child: Great story and tips from my friend Sandra.
Ethan's first church service: A great story of one child with autism flourishing in his first "big church" experience!
And this song (via youTube, but note that the "video" is just a still of the album cover, so it's for your listening pleasure, not really viewing!) is precious in sharing truth that families with special needs can cling to. It's also precious to me on a personal level because it came out less than a year after I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis; I heard it for the first time as I pulled into a specialist's office for yet another complication with my health, this time one that we feared would endanger our unborn son. The outcome of that complication was not damaging to our son, but the song resonated with me then and still does now. I've never made it through with dry eyes.