disability ministry weekly round-up {4/9/12} - part 1: news reports
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Sorry I've been silent so long! In the two weeks since I've posted, we: celebrated my son's birthday (three!). put our house on the market. got a full price offer. signed the contract. found a new house. made an offer. signed the contract. found out we're approved on the US side for our adoption of Zoe Amanda. gotten pink eye (my son and daughter). gotten strep throat (me).
Whew!
Now you know where I've been - life has been full, but it has been full of blessings, so we are thankful. Because I missed blogging last week, though, I'll have two days of round-ups this week. This post focuses on the latest news that has caught my eye regarding special needs ministry, and tomorrow will be chock-full of church- and family-specific tidbits!
Russia Struggles to Reform Soviet-Era Orphanages: Why does this matter? Because the body of Christ is not an American creation, and when we learn that "Almost half in this “orphan city” have disabilities or special needs, and their parents are encouraged to send them to an institution," we should be moved to consider what we ought to be doing missionally and internationally, that the church share the love and good news of Christ people with disabilities of all nations.
Sensory Processing Issues Explained: This is a good primer for understanding the sensory issues that might be represented in your church.
CDC: U.S. kids with autism up 78% in the past decade: Yes, this is something we in the church need to know. And, more than that, this should lead us to question, what can my church do to embrace and encourage these families?
New data on autism spectrum disorders: If you just want to read the data from the CDC for yourself, here 'tis!
The New Autism Numbers: This article explains where the new numbers come from. Granted, it is still important for us to be aware of autism, even in places like Alabama where the autism incidence is more like 1 in 210, but we need to know that we're being overly simplistic when we start saying, "the rate of autism is one in 88, so that means if your church reflects those statistics, then you should have at least one child with autism for every 88 kids." My point? Numbers are good to know but not essential; relationships are what matter most.
And to close this Easter Monday, here's one of my favorite Easter songs, "It is Finished" by Matt Papa. I'll share another favorite tomorrow!
Whew!
Now you know where I've been - life has been full, but it has been full of blessings, so we are thankful. Because I missed blogging last week, though, I'll have two days of round-ups this week. This post focuses on the latest news that has caught my eye regarding special needs ministry, and tomorrow will be chock-full of church- and family-specific tidbits!
Russia Struggles to Reform Soviet-Era Orphanages: Why does this matter? Because the body of Christ is not an American creation, and when we learn that "Almost half in this “orphan city” have disabilities or special needs, and their parents are encouraged to send them to an institution," we should be moved to consider what we ought to be doing missionally and internationally, that the church share the love and good news of Christ people with disabilities of all nations.
Sensory Processing Issues Explained: This is a good primer for understanding the sensory issues that might be represented in your church.
CDC: U.S. kids with autism up 78% in the past decade: Yes, this is something we in the church need to know. And, more than that, this should lead us to question, what can my church do to embrace and encourage these families?
New data on autism spectrum disorders: If you just want to read the data from the CDC for yourself, here 'tis!
The New Autism Numbers: This article explains where the new numbers come from. Granted, it is still important for us to be aware of autism, even in places like Alabama where the autism incidence is more like 1 in 210, but we need to know that we're being overly simplistic when we start saying, "the rate of autism is one in 88, so that means if your church reflects those statistics, then you should have at least one child with autism for every 88 kids." My point? Numbers are good to know but not essential; relationships are what matter most.
And to close this Easter Monday, here's one of my favorite Easter songs, "It is Finished" by Matt Papa. I'll share another favorite tomorrow!