Greetings to those who may be interested to know about the work of the UCC Disability Ministries Board–Friends, UCC Members, UCC Clergy, UCC persons with disability and our ecumenical partners,

This is to provide you with an update of the work of the UCC Disability Ministry (UCCDM) Board of Directors since our last update published in June 2014.

For the past year the UCCDM Board of Directors has been focusing on three main goals: strengthening relationships, strengthening the A2A (Accessible to All) program, and continuing our ecumenical work.

• Relationships-The UCCDM Board of Directors has been advocating for some disability ministry recognition at the General Synod 30 scheduled for June 26-30, 2015 in Cleveland. The UCCDM submitted a proposal to present two workshops at the upcoming Synod; both proposals were rejected. The UCCDM plans to host a booth with the United Church of Christ Mental Health Network (UCCMHN) in the exhibit hall at Synod 30. UCCDM has also made plans to sponsor a luncheon at Synod which will  highlight the work of UCCDM, celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the ADA, and provide an opportunity for the presentation of the UCCDM Awards. UCCDM Delegates to Synod 30 will be Rev. Craig Modhal, Rev. Susan Burns, Rev. Kelli Parrish Lucas, and Dr. Kevin Pettit.
• Relationships-The United Church Board has named a search committee for the next General President and Minister of the United Church of Christ. While a person with disabilities was not named to serve on the search committee, the UCCDM has been invited to submit questions that should be asked of potential candidates.
• Relationships-The UCCDM is partnering with the UCCMHN to plan another Widening the Welcome Conference scheduled for September 24-26, 2015 in Hartford Connecticut. Rev. Susan Burns is the UCCDM Co-Chair of Widening the Welcome 2015 along with  Rev. Alan Johnson the UCCMHN Co-Chair for the Widening the Welcome 2015.
• Relationships-In late June 2014 the UCCDM issued a call for self-nominations for the UCCDM Board of Directors. Twenty-three nominations were received. Five persons have been invited to join the UCCDM Board of Directors; this fills three vacated seats and two additional seats to bring the Board to twelve Directors. Three persons from those nominated have been asked to join the Board of Directors for the class of 2015-2021.
• A2A-There had been a desire to make the A2A Resource booklet “Anybody, Everybody, Christ’s Body” more user-friendly. The A2A subcommittee reviewed the resumes of a few persons with the expertise to do this work. The A2A subcommittee interviewed and hired a consultant with disabilities and a PhD in education with a background in both creating inclusive curriculum and disability advocacy to assist the Board with this work.
• Ecumenical- The National Council of Churches has disbanded its Committee on Disabilities. However the persons who had been active in this work have continued to work together and have established the Congregational Accessibility Network. UCCDM Board Director, and UCCDM Vice-Chair, Rev. Jeanne Tyler continues to be an active leader in this work.
• Ecumenical Work-Our World Council of Churches partner, EDAN (Ecumenical Disabilities Advocacy Network) hosted a consultation in the Netherlands on a new theological statement entitled “The Gift of Being” being developed for the World Council of Churches. [EDAN website or EDAN description] It is hoped the document will be completed in Spring 2015. An EDAN bi-annual leadership meeting was held in conjunction with the consultation. Carolyn Thompson, former UCCDM Director, and Rev. Kelli Parrish Lucas, UCCDM Secretary, were invited to participate in the EDAN consultation and leadership meeting. Rev. Kelli Parrish Lucas has been named the new (volunteer) EDAN North America Coordinator. For more on the meeting in Elspeet see the official WCC news article on the EDA event.

The UCCDM continues to raise money to establish the Kreyer Scholarship to provide modest assistance to level the playing field for people with disabilities or mental health diagnosis preparing for authorized ministry. It is envisioned that the Kreyer Scholarship may be used to purchase assistive devices or technology, pay for academic testing to establish grounds, assist with medication costs, pay for books, assist with tuition, room and board, or other needs faced by persons with disability preparing for the ministry. You are invited and encouraged to contribute to the Kreyer Fund today! 

The UCCDM would like to partner with you in your disability ministry efforts. Please let us know what you are doing for accessibility and inclusion.

Yours In Christ,

Rev. Kelli Parrish Lucas, UCCDM Secretary