October 31-November 2, 2000, Cleveland, Ohio
The United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries held its first official meeting under the auspices of Parish Life and Leadership, Local Church Ministries.
Rev. Jeanne Tyler and Ms. Rita Fiero (co-chairs) guided the body through its deliberations. The UCCDM welcomed Rev. Peg Slater, Inclusive Ministry Coordinator, as the new staff person designated to this ministry. Rev. David Denham, Consultant to the UCCDM, reported on events leading to this ministry becoming part of the LCM and Parish Life and Leadership. David will continue in his service as consultant in 2001.
The UCCDM met at the national setting of the church to celebrate this transition, to worship with national staff, and to share information with all staff and particularly newer staff about disability issues. On November 1, the UCCDM led worship in the Amistad Chapel at the 700 Prospect Avenue offices. Jeanne Tyler preached, Rita Fiero served as liturgist, Mr. Donald Lawrence read scripture in American Sign Language, and Rev. Bob Dell of the Mental Illness Network led in prayer and the benediction.
The UCCDM displayed an exhibit in the entrance hall to 700 Prospect Avenue. Members rolled and walked through the building passing out literature concerning our ministry. On November 2, many staff in the building joined the UCCDM for lunch. The luncheon gathering celebrated access accomplishments in the building and named access needs remaining.
The UCCDM lifted up in celebration the10th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and the 5th Anniversary of the UCC Resolution, “Concerning the Church and the ADA” (passed at General Synod 20 in 1995). The UCC’s own Rev. Dr. Harold Wilke was present on both occasions: at the Rose Garden in 1990 handing a pen to President Bush with his left foot, and on stage at General Synod when the body overwhelmingly passed the resolution.
Mitzi Eilts of the UCC Coalition for Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Concerns spoke to the UCCDM about the Coalition’s history and growth in funding. This discussion a challenge to the UCCDM as it seeks to expand its ministry and funding.
The UCCDM and the Mental Illness Network (MIN) discussed the pros and cons of mutual ministry in the new structure. The MIN decided to become a part of the UCCDM. The Rev. Norma Mengel of MIN was elected to the body, serving an unexpired term.
LCM-Parish Life and Leadership will host the Search and Call 2000 Gathering at Orlando, Florida, November 30-December 2 for persons who staff the search process in the UCC. Reverends Jeanne Tyler and Grant Sontag will serve on the “Search and Call and Differently Able” workshop panel regarding the call process for clergy with disabilities. This is one means to implement two resolutions sponsored by UCCDM and MIN which were passed by General Synod 22 in 1999.
The UCCDM decided to be present at General Synod 23, a gathering for the UCC and Disciples to be held in Kansas City in July, 2001. The UCCDM will host a luncheon there Friday, July 13, and the UCCDM and MIN will hold side-by-side exhibits. The UCCDM/MIN will sponsor a display, in a place for all to see, of art by artists experiencing serious mental illness. The UCCDM will honor Rev. Virginia Kreyer as a pioneer of the UCC Disabilities Ministries with the first Virginia Kreyer Award. Awards will be offered as noted earlier. There are plans to host a workshop jointly with the Disciples.
The UCCDM is proud to be a part of Local Church Ministries. The UCCDM believes that this ministry is theologically and strategically placed so that lay and clergy leaders with disabilities will grow in their participation in and contribution to the local and wider church. This gathering was true to the theme of the upcoming General Synod 23, “New Day New Opportunities to Worship and Serve.”‘
From UCC DM Newsletter Archive
