Community Connections: February

Welcoming Spiritual Communities Newsletter
February - March 2006

From the University of Maryland:
www.communityconnections.umd.edu

Tips & Resources

Publicize your community on our web site

In this Issue: Building Better Bridges of Love and Inclusion

Opening doors for people with disabilities and their families.
Strengthening support for children with disabilities.
Collaborating with other communities to enhance programs.
Energy and cost-saving tips, resources, and links.

	Articles
	Pastor Perspective: How Can Our Worship Services Be More Welcoming of People with Disabilities? by the Rev. Kimberly Anne Willis Program Perspective: All God’s Children Have Gifts: Disability and Worship by Joan Huyser-Honig Parent Perspective: *How Churches Can Support Families Living with the Autism Spectrum/Pervasive Developmental Disorders Or Other Disabilities* by Karla Akins, D. Ch. Ed.
	Kids Corner
	Wisdom by Kids for Everyone: A poem by a 10-year-old from Israel
	Tip Sheets
	Check out these tips: Spiritual Needs of Children with Developmental Disabilities Spiritual Needs of Parents Bridge Builders Checklists (for Ushers and for Building Accessibility)
	Spotlight
	Check out this conference: Children’s Spirituality Conference: Christian Perspectives 2nd Triennial Conference June 4-6, 2006 at Concordia University in River Forest, IL Check out these organizations: Bridge Builders Disability Concerns
	Recommended Website
	Check out these links: The Sacred Site Friendship Ministries Disability is Natural Pathways to Promise
	Book Corner
	Recommended gift books
	Humor for the Spirit
	Getting into Heaven
	Upcoming Issues
	Looking forward in this newsletter

Feature: Building Better Bridges of Love and Inclusion

Strengthening support for children and adults with disabilities makes your community more loving for all because it sensitizes people to respond to the real needs of all people.

Spiritual communities collaborating with each other share successes and ideas that save energy and resources.

One in five families includes a person who faces barriers that prevent them from participating in a faith community because of a disability. Disability can be present at birth, or result from illness, age, trauma, or accident. Families dealing with disability need faith communities where members show their love by responding to the special needs of all other members.
A ‘welcoming spiritual community’ is one that allows long-time members to remain active as they age, and one that attracts and retains new families because members make their congregation accessible to all.

Check out our newsletters, resources, and website (www.communityconnections.umd.edu) for lists of easy, inexpensive ways to welcome people with disabilities into your spiritual community, and to create a sense of belonging for everyone that is so essential to religious communities.

Articles

A Pastor Perspective:
How Can Our Worship Services Be More Welcoming of People with Disabilities?
by the Rev. Kimberly Anne Willis

Abstract: A minister explores worship services and the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of worship. She offers starting point guidelines for congregations to develop services that are attentive to the participation of people with disabilities congregations, and makes suggestions for further reading. The article can be found on the http://www.gbod.org website, or click here: http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=1820

A Program Perspective:
All God’s Children Have Gifts: Disability and Worship
by Joan Huyser-Honig

Abstract: From a website that features stories for inspiration, learning, and group discussion that enhance worship, the author addresses the issue of why and how to include children and adults with disabilities in religious communities. She notes that according to the National Organization on Disability, “many congregations haven’t thought much about worship and disability. That’s because, according to national studies, more than 80 percent of people with disabilities don’t attend church.” She also discusses recognizing each other’s gifts and supporting each other’s needs while avoiding a “you’re not like us” attitude and offers detailed strategies and discussion questions for spiritual leaders and communities. For link to article, click here: http://www.calvin.edu/worship/stories/disability.php

A Parent Perspective:
How Churches Can Support Families Living with the Autism Spectrum/Pervasive Developmental Disorders Or Other Disabilities
by Karla Akins, D. Ch. Ed.

Abstract: The mother of twins with autism describes her experience in a spiritual community, and discusses the development of ‘P.A.L.S.,’ an inclusive religious program in the community for children with various disabilities. Strategies for program development and for working with children and families are also discussed. For link to article, click here: http://www.nathhan.com/church.htm

Kids Corner

This poem was written by a ten-year-old from Israel. It is included in the inspiring book Children Write for Peace, published by Givat Havira. Each poem in the book, which gives voice to the desire of children around the world to have peace between all people and religions, is translated into Hebrew, Arabic, German, and English. (Available from givat_il@inter.net.il)

Is it not possible
To wake up one morning to a better world,
A world without war and hatred,
Without enemies lying in wait around the corner?
I really believe it can be so
That there's room for both Jews and Arabs
That both peoples move peacefully together
Like a King and Queen in their palace.
Perhaps it is only a small, foolish dream
Of a girl not versed in worldly ways
But maybe from dreams like these
We can build, not only make-believe, real peace.

Galit Amitzur, Age 10, from Israel

Tip Sheets

Spiritual Needs of Children with Developmental Disabilities and Spiritual Needs of Parents
These tip sheets about the spiritual needs of children with disabilities and their parents, along with lots of other helpful information about including children with disabilities in spiritual communities, can be found on the www.coping.org website: For tipsheets, click here: http://www.coping.org/specialneeds/spirituality.htm#Contents

Bridge Builders offers checklists and ideas for accessibility, including:
Usher and greeter guidelines, click here:
http://www.bridgebuilders.4mg.com/Usher%20Greeter%20Guidelines.htm
And a congregation accessibility checklist, click here:
http://www.gbod.org/coa/articles.asp?act=reader&item_id=3777

Spotlights

Children’s Spirituality Conference: Christian Perspectives
2nd Triennial Conference
June 4-6, 2006 at Concordia University in River Forest, IL
The goals of this conference include networking among people doing research and writing on children’s spiritual development and formation; providing a forum for theological and social science integration on children’s spiritual experiences, development and formation; and, exploring innovative approaches to ministry with children. More than 300 people attended the first “Children’s Spirituality Conference: Christian Perspectives” in June 2003, which resulted in the publication of Children’s Spirituality: Christian Perspectives, Research, and Applications, Don Ratcliff (Ed.), Cascade Books, 2004. Attendance of more than 500 people is anticipated for the 2006 conference. A full brochure and registration is available. For more information, go to http://www.childspirituality.org or click here: http://www.cccu.org/conferences/eventID.360/conference_detail.asp

Bridge Builders
Bridge Builders is a ministry designed to identify and break down barriers that keep people with disabilities and their families from being able to fully participate in their spiritual community. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this ministry works with other spiritual communities seeking to include children and families living with disabilities in church programs and events. Their programs include inclusive and special Children's Ministry classes, classes for teens and young adults with specific special needs, ‘Buddy Connections’ (teens and adults trained to support one or two children during specific activities and services), children’s healing and hope services, friendship and interaction outreach to community residential programs, and a baking ministry designed to use home-baked goods (primarily cookies) to support short term outreaches in local communities such as homeless camps, children's hospitals, and group homes. For more information, visit their website at http://www.bridgebuilders.4mg.com/ or click here: http://www.vineyardcolumbus.org/ministries/bridge_builders/index.asp

Disability Concerns
This organization helps congregations establish disability ministries in various churches. They support congregations as they eliminate barriers to participation of people with disabilities, assist people with disabilities and their families in expressing their spiritual needs and offering their spiritual gifts, and provide information on disability resources and services, such as consulting services and disability ministry workshops. They plan jointly with a church, a group of churches, or an organization of church leaders, etc. to conduct workshops that train people to organize disability ministries, whether they be respite programs or support groups of various types. Support groups may be for people with a specific disability or group of disabilities (developmental, emotional, mental, physical, sensory), or they may be support groups for parents or siblings of people with such disabilities. For more information, click here: http://www.crcna.org/pages/disability.cfm

Recommended Websites

The Sacred Site
A website devoted to spiritual music, books, and poetry for children, and promoting peace, spiritual growth, virtues, and values for children around the world. For this website go to www.thesacredsite.com or click here: http://www.thesacredsite.com/children.htm

Friendship Ministries
“Sharing God's love with people who have cognitive impairments and enabling them to become an active part of God's family!” is the theme of this website, which offers a range of resources, including Bible & life study materials, and a selection of books and pamphlets (some available in Spanish). The materials are great for churches, group homes, and anyone who's involved with disability ministries or has a family member or friend with cognitive impairments. For this website go to www.friendship.org or click here: http://shop5.gospelcom.net/epages/FaithAlive.storefront/EN/Catalog/1050

Disability is Natural
This website opens with an image of five apples in a bowl and the following statement: One of the five apples is green… One American in five is a person with a disability. It goes on to discuss the fact that a green apple is more like red apples than different, and that an individual with a disability is more like people without disabilities than different. The website is filled with thought-provoking articles and products that promote inclusive ways of thinking, and has resources and guidelines to support children in all activities and settings, including spiritual communities. For more information about the books, tip sheets, bookmarks, articles, and other resources, click here: http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/

Pathways to Promise
Pathways to Promise is an interfaith technical assistance and resource center offering liturgical and educational materials, program models, newsletters, and networking information to promote a caring ministry with people with mental illness and their families. These resources are used by people at all levels of faith group structures from local congregations to regional and national staff. For more information, click here: http://www.pathways2promise.org/

Book Corner

Recommended reading:

God Plays Piano, Too : The Spiritual Lives of Disabled Children (by Brett Webb-Mitchell). From amazon.com: This book is about Joshua, a young boy with an extraordinary gift for playing the piano. He also has autism. His story is one of many in this revelatory look at the spiritual lives of children with disabilities: those with mental retardation, autism, or behavior disorders. Click here for more information: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0824513746/sr=1-4/qid=1138812529/ref=sr_1_4/002-0450081-8965614?%5Fencoding=UTF8

Autism and Your Church: Nurturing the Spiritual Growth of People with Autism Spectrum Disorders ( by Barbara J. Newman).This resource can enable church leaders to more fully include children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) into the church. Available Spring 2006, it includes a scriptural perspective, descriptions of five specific disorders included under the ASD umbrella, and an explanation of common areas of difference. Ten strategies outline specific techniques that enable church leaders to meet the special needs of those with ASD. Churches are offered guidelines for developing an action plan, including an Individual Spiritual Plan (ISP), for ongoing ministry. Reproducible forms and other materials to implement a ministry are also included. For more information, click here: http://shop5.gospelcom.net/epages/FaithAlive.storefront/
43e0ccbd065a51f9271d45579e7906cb/Product/View/116015

Helping Kids Include Kids with Disabilities (by Barb Newman). This how-to manual offers 11 sessions that provide teachers, church activity leaders, and children with practical suggestions for helping students welcome others who have disabilities into their group. The book includes: information for understanding children with special needs, guidelines for churches, information about specific and general areas of impairment, lesson plans, letters to families, and devotions for families. For more information, click here: http://shop5.gospelcom.net/epages/FaithAlive.storefront/
43e0ccbd065a51f9271d45579e7906cb/Product/View/116010

The Pastoral Care of Children (edited by Daniel H. Grossoehme). Beginning with a definition of pastoral care, this book explores the unique perspective and needs of children at all ages and in a variety of situations—ranging from chronic illness to death. The editor helps readers explore issues they might be uncomfortable with (such as debilitating illness and praying with children) and to evaluate how personal values can affect the ability to listen to and hear children. While providing practical models of interactions, Grossoehme encourages the development of a personal working model that includes ritual and prayer from one’s own tradition. Grounded in respect for the dignity and personhood of the child, this book will be helpful to the lay or ordained minister involved in any aspect of children’s ministry. It lends itself equally to the evaluation of a program or an individual. While it provides information for crises, optimally it will point the way to building a strong ministry to all children in a congregation (Haworth Press, NY: 1999). Available on amazon.com, or for more information, click here:
http://www.congregationalresources.org/ShowOne.asp?RID=6605&TC=46

Money and Ideas: Creative Approaches to Congregational Access (from The Alban Institute, 2001, Herndon, VA). Congregations seeking greater accessibility for people with disabilities often find that a key challenge is the availability of resources. How does a congregation find money, materials, or labor for a ramp, an elevator, or accessible restrooms? This booklet published jointly by the Alban Institute and the National Organization on Disability, takes a two-fold approach to encouraging creative thinking on this issue. First, it tells brief stories of how fifty congregations around the country became more accessible. Examples include the pastor who ran a fund-raising marathon, the Eagle Scouts who built a church ramp, and the youth program that raised money by “renting kids” to do odd jobs. Second, Money and Ideas features an annotated “Selected Resources” section that includes helpful books, periodicals, organizations, and web sites. Congregations aiming at greater accessibility, but feeling stymied by a lack of resources, will find this booklet useful and inspiring. To order the Money and Ideas booklet or to read Money and Ideas online in large print (viewable with the free download) click here:
http://www.congregationalresources.org/ShowOne.asp?RID=6510&TC=185

Humor for the Spirit

The Little Old Lady and the Atheist

An exasperated mother, whose son was always getting into mischief, finally asked him, “How do you expect to get into Heaven?” The boy thought it over and finally said, “Well, I’ll run in and out and in and out and keep slamming the door until St. Peter says, ‘For goodness sake, son, either come in or stay out!’

Upcoming Issues

April/May 2006 - Keeping the Spirit Throughout the Summer
(information on creating inclusive camp and vacation Bible programs with tips for educators, volunteers, children, and families)

We currently offer training and technical consultation to businesses, churches, and other community organizations to help make them more welcoming to families and children with special needs. If you know of a business or other organization that would like to take advantage of these services, please e-mail us at: communityconnections@umd.edu
OR
If you know of a business that is already welcoming to children with special needs and their families and you would like to share this information with other families and professionals, please send us your name as well as the name and contact information for the business with a brief description of why you believe they are welcoming to families. If appropriate, we will post the business on our website and we may even feature it as a 'Spotlight if the Month'. E-mail your submissions to: communityconnections@umd.edu

*Questions or Suggestions about our newsletter? Have an idea you would like to submit? Please feel free to contact us at communityconnections@umd.edu

Thanks for subscribing to the Welcoming Communities newsletter! Welcoming Communities is put out by Community Connections, which is a grant at the University of Maryland at College Park funded by the United States Department of Education. The goal of this project is to facilitate the participation of young children with special needs in community settings. We do this by increasing opportunities for kids with disabilities to participate in the community, promoting awareness of disabilities, and providing support to parents and organizations that include children with special needs.

For more information about Community Connections, please visit our website at: http://www.communityconnections.umd.edu/
Our website is updated regularly…Check back often for new info!

The Community Connections Team

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Helping to Facilitate the Participation of Children with Disabilities in Community Settings

Welcoming Spiritual Communities Newsletter February - March 2006