In Fall 2001, United Church News welcomed UCC Disabilities Ministries by offering this insert. “That All May Worship and Serve” was first published January 1999. We thank its retiring editor, Gay McCormick (Central Atlantic Conference), for her vision of a wider colloquy for UCCDM. We welcome as new editor, Rev. Dallas (Dee) Brauninger (Nebraska Conference).

Rev. Virginia Kreyer (New York Metropolitan Conference) led UCCDM from its formative days as an outgrowth of her 1977 committee through Synod initiative resolutions until her retirement in 1995. Her ministry culminated with adoption of the 1995 Synod resolution calling on the church at all levels to embrace the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Our ministry continues. In 1999, General Synod passed the Calling of Clergy with Disabilities Resolution. As consultant since 1996, I have watched our volunteer network grow. We celebrate excellent leadership through DM co-Chairs, Rev. Jeanne Tyler (Nebraska Conference) and Rita Fiero (Connecticut Conference) and through Rev. Peg Slater, our minister for inclusive ministries.

The UCCDM is structurally at home in Local Church Ministries. Local Church Ministries’ Parish Life and Leadership, inclusive ministries has close administrative ties with evangelism and seminary linkages. Many people have made possible the steady, extraordinary progression of this ministry.

Pioneer-founder of the Mental Illness Network, the Rev. Robert Dell (Illinois Conference) leads this growing network into its second decade. Receiving administrative support through UCCDM, MIN links with other essential UCC entities as well as the interfaith Pathways to Promise. At 1999 General Synod, MIN led passage of the resolution, Calling the People of God to Justice for Persons with Serious Mental Illnesses (Brain Disorders).

Looking ahead, the Revs. Bill and Gail Royster (South Central Conference) are developing a study process that centers upon hospitality as pivotal for involving persons with disabilities as full partners and contributors in local churches.

May God bless you in your ministry of “Access to All.”
David Denham, UCCDM Consultant

From UCC DM Newsletter Archive