The United Church of Christ National Committee on Persons with Disabilities has as its major goal the full integration of persons with disabilities and their families into the life of the church.

Many of us have attended churches where the c

hurch bulletin bore the quotations, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go in to the House of the Lord.'” We must be certain that the doors to that house are always open to all, no matter what difficulties they or those they love may face in seeking to enter, so that the gladness and joy of acceptance can be known by all. May it be so, and soon!

In late 1990 we wrote to all Conference Ministers of the United Church of Christ, asking them to nominate programs and persons that, in their judgment, best served the goal of full inclusiveness. The stories herein offer examples of loving and inclusive ministries, ministries which are themselves both visions of hope and models of the inclusiveness of the Kingdom of God.

Churches honored include:

First Congregational Church, UCC in Cadillac, Michigan
First Congregational Church, UCC in Camden, Maine
First Congregational Church, UCC in Great Falls, Montana
Central Congregational Church, UCC in Topeka, Kansas
St. John’s UCC in Storm Lake, Iowa, and First Congregational Church, UCC, in Newell, Iowa
St. Peter’s Church, UCC in Washington, Missouri
Three churches in Rhode Island Conference: Chepachet Union Church; Riverside Congregational Church, UCC; and United Congregational Church of Litltle Compton

Individuals honored include:

Rev. Dr. Dallas A. Brauninger, First Congregational Church, UCC in Hemingford, Nebraska
Rev. Kathi D. Wolfe, UCC Office of Communication
Rev. Nancy Erickson, Lincoln, Nebraska
Rev. Ronald A. Getsay, Marion, Ohio
Mrs. Roberta Martin and her son Christ Martin of Southwest UCC in Portland, Oregon

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