Since becoming a part of the UCC Disabilities Ministries in the early 1990’s, as
board member then consultant, I have witnessed a ministry that led the church:

1. To claim the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as
a moral mandate;

2. To add to the UCC vision statement “Accessible to All (A2A);” 3. To widen our impact on persons with brain disorders/mental illnesses and on clergy with disabilities;

4. To grow a ministry where more individuals are involved than at any other point in our history.

As General Synod, July 2005, approaches, our ministry desires to involve you and your local church in building community throughout this land. Please visit our Synod exhibit to learn about a pivotal resource. “Any Body, Everybody, Christ’s Body” is a study guide designed to assist your church generally with hospitality, particularly as it relates to disability. To learn more about us and become involved with this community, visit our interactive web site, www.uccdisabilitiesministries.org.

“How can we grow the church?” Evangelism also takes the forms of sacraments offered in accessible ways, choir anthems sung at floor level, bulletins magnified by a copy machine, prayers encouraged from those with difficulty articulating them, sound systems that amplify our voices, and user friendly entrances and bathrooms.

Evangelism is rooted in our application of the UCC vision statement “Multiracial, Multicultural, Open and Affirming, and Accessible to All (A2A).” On behalf of all involved with the UCCDM, I invite you to explore Evangelism (E) through an A2A lens. This A2A lens will sharpen the “E” vision for multiracial, multicultural, and open and affirming. Come to General Synod. Come to .

David Denham

From UCC DM Newsletter Archive