disability ministry weekly round-up {1/30/12}
/
My baby girl turned five yesterday. I love her so much, and she and her little brother are great motivations for why I do what I do, even though neither of them has a disability. If either of them had any special needs, I would still want them to know Christ. I would still share His truth with them at an age- and ability-appropriate level. I would still love and cherish their lives, and I would want my community of faith to do so as well.
That's why I do what I do, because I know that the moms and dads of the children and youth with disabilities at our church want the same things for their kids as I want for mine and that the adults with disabilities at our church are each someone's child.
My sweet five-year-old Jocelyn matters to me, to the church, and to God. And so does every other person, regardless of disability status.
Ministering to Special Needs: This article describes phenomenal efforts in disability ministry in New York and includes great quotes and one-liners, like "Every week brought new fears, new disabilities, and challenges, but more importantly every week brought new lessons packaged in some of the most beautiful souls I’ve ever encountered."
special needs {recent observations}: Amy Dolan is a great leader in children's ministry, and this post is the result of research she did in local schools to learn about how to best serve kids in ministry settings. Great insights, and also a great idea that could be helpful to do if you're a children's or special needs ministry leader who doesn't have a special education background!
Beautiful Bethenny: Heather blogs about a little girl in Russia with osteogenesis imperfecta who lives in an orphanage and need a family. Would you consider adopting Bethenny or donating to her adoption fund to offset the expense for the family who I pray will step forward to love her?
Why it is hard to tell the truth in my memoir: Gillian Marchenko is a pastor's wife, mother of four (including two daughters with Down syndrome, one who entered their families through birth and the other through adoption), and skilled writer. In this post, she honestly and vulnerably shares about what she calls her "less than Christian response" to her daughter's birth.
Caring for a sibling with developmental disabilities can be a lifelong commitment: We're not doing much as a church to support siblings yet, other than including them in respite nights and providing them with a one-on-one buddy to make sure they have a great evening. What does your church do to support siblings?
How families can benefit from respite programs: Ever wonder why respite care is a common activity in special needs ministry? Then read this.
A Story Worth Telling: Orange Parents writes about Noah, a precious little guy with Down syndrome whose dad blogs about him at NoahsDad.com. His is definitely a story worth knowing.
How to Raise a Child with Down Syndrome: Advice and Resources: Amy Julia Becker is a great resource herself, and she has assembled useful information and resources for other parents who have a child with Down syndrome.
The Attributes of God: Tim Challies has created this useful visual tool, which I will use and will be passing along to our volunteers. It may not be directly useful with all of the kids and adults we serve alongside, but it is helpful for us as volunteers to reflect upon the characteristics of the God we serve.
Churches engaging in disability ministry...
That's why I do what I do, because I know that the moms and dads of the children and youth with disabilities at our church want the same things for their kids as I want for mine and that the adults with disabilities at our church are each someone's child.
My sweet five-year-old Jocelyn matters to me, to the church, and to God. And so does every other person, regardless of disability status.
Ministering to Special Needs: This article describes phenomenal efforts in disability ministry in New York and includes great quotes and one-liners, like "Every week brought new fears, new disabilities, and challenges, but more importantly every week brought new lessons packaged in some of the most beautiful souls I’ve ever encountered."
special needs {recent observations}: Amy Dolan is a great leader in children's ministry, and this post is the result of research she did in local schools to learn about how to best serve kids in ministry settings. Great insights, and also a great idea that could be helpful to do if you're a children's or special needs ministry leader who doesn't have a special education background!
Beautiful Bethenny: Heather blogs about a little girl in Russia with osteogenesis imperfecta who lives in an orphanage and need a family. Would you consider adopting Bethenny or donating to her adoption fund to offset the expense for the family who I pray will step forward to love her?
Why it is hard to tell the truth in my memoir: Gillian Marchenko is a pastor's wife, mother of four (including two daughters with Down syndrome, one who entered their families through birth and the other through adoption), and skilled writer. In this post, she honestly and vulnerably shares about what she calls her "less than Christian response" to her daughter's birth.
Caring for a sibling with developmental disabilities can be a lifelong commitment: We're not doing much as a church to support siblings yet, other than including them in respite nights and providing them with a one-on-one buddy to make sure they have a great evening. What does your church do to support siblings?
How families can benefit from respite programs: Ever wonder why respite care is a common activity in special needs ministry? Then read this.
A Story Worth Telling: Orange Parents writes about Noah, a precious little guy with Down syndrome whose dad blogs about him at NoahsDad.com. His is definitely a story worth knowing.
How to Raise a Child with Down Syndrome: Advice and Resources: Amy Julia Becker is a great resource herself, and she has assembled useful information and resources for other parents who have a child with Down syndrome.
The Attributes of God: Tim Challies has created this useful visual tool, which I will use and will be passing along to our volunteers. It may not be directly useful with all of the kids and adults we serve alongside, but it is helpful for us as volunteers to reflect upon the characteristics of the God we serve.
Churches engaging in disability ministry...
- "Teach, Bless, Serve," theme for 2012 Archbishop's Appeal: The Archdiocese of Portland includes plans for increased funding for the Office for People with Disabilities. According to the website, "this ministry assists parishes in accommodating the needs of parishioners with disabilities to enable their full participation in the life of the Church. The office offers training and consultation in ways to create an inclusive worshipping community. It also provides pastoral support and advocacy for individuals with disabilities and their families."
- Special Ministries celebrates 40 years of community ties: This disability ministry in Livingston County, Michigan, was launched by a pastor's wife at St. George Lutheran Church when she started religious education classes for a few high school students with Down syndrome in 1972; it has now become an ecumenical effort with serving 230 people with special needs.
- 2012-2013 Preschool Round-Up: This round-up includes a listing for the Garden Academy, a new six-day/week program serving people with autism aged 3-21 that is based at St. Andrew Kim Church
- Millville autism support group Puzzle Peace Moms announces 2012 meetings: Mt. Pleasant Church hosts this support group in Millville, New Jersey.
And, finally, what could be God's purpose in disability? Here's one testimony of what God has done at Bethlehem Baptist in Minneapolis with the life of a boy born with no eyes (and you can read more from his dad, John Knight, here):