Dear Pastor and Church Leaders:
Four years ago at General Synod 20, the United Church of Christ made two defining statements about our church and people with disabilities. The delegates passed a resolution entitled Concerning the Church and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, calling the church at all levels to be morally bound by the spirit of the ADA. The document for restructuring of the national setting was amended to claim our church as a multi-racial, multi-cultural church that is accessible to all.
Disability challenges us to face our own vulnerability. With Americans living to be older, almost every one of us will be touched by disability in our lifetime, either personally or with someone near and dear to us.
Access Sunday is about celebrating our humanity that we can worship and serve as long as we may wish. Access Sunday calls us to open our minds and hearts, to opening our programs, our front doors, our sanctuaries, choir lofts, chancels, restrooms, and more so that the church may speak that God is accessible to all.
Many local churches of the United Church of Christ are taking steps to understand and to eliminate physical, architectural, and more general community barriers that persons with disabilities encounter as they attempt to be part of worship, fellowship, and the mission of the church.
Access Sunday offers the opportunity to increase awareness, to celebrate steps taken, to prepare to take new steps, and to celebrate the gifts of persons with disabilities. On behalf of the UCC National Committee on Persons with Disabilities, I invite you to join in celebrating Access Sunday on October 10, 1999 or on a date convenient for your congregation.
The UCC National Committee on Persons with Disabilities has prepared worship aids for use on Access Sunday. Large print copies are available upon request. The National Committee has available a resource packet for your use. Our Committee collaborates with the Board for Homeland Ministries, Division of Local Church Development and the UCC Fellowship of Architects in providing a comprehensive approach to meeting needs of local churches.
This year, we honor the Rev. Dr. Harold H. Wilke on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of his ordination. Harold is blessed with many friends throughout our UCC family. Harold is a true pioneer of the disability movement, inside and outside the church. The Harold H. Wilke Fund has been established in his honor. Your church is invited to contribute to the Fund. Further information on the Fund is on the last page both of this newsletter issue and of the Access Sunday materials.
May God bless you and your ministry to all God’s people.
Faithfully, The Reverend David E. Denham, Consultant, Disabilities Ministries
From UCC DM Newsletter Archive
