Spiritual Support & Services

Upcoming Events

November 10 at 2 p.m.

Stories of Belonging

You will hear from a panel of adults with disabilities who will share how they currently experience belonging in their faith communtiies. They will share stories of this inclusion came to be and how it has impacted their life. Our intention is for people to learn from their stories, so that they may understand the benefits of inclusion and the mutual relationships that are built form this experience.

What: Webinar

When: Thursday, November 10 at 2 p.m. (EST)

Speakers: Self Advocates - Mikaela Coopedge, Thomas Phillips, Jacky Harner, and Dixie Chaney

Registration link: Stories of Belonging registration

Building Belonging

Downloadable PDF

PROGRAM GOAL:

Faith Communities and their congregations will enter into an intentional and committed partnership with Stone Belt Arc and with one another to address barriers of access and inclusion for people with disabilities. Our hope is to work together to assess, reflect, plan and implement steps toward BELONGING.

Program Outline:

Initial Two Year Commitment
- Congregation Assessments and Planning
- Formation of a Disability Inclusion Committee
- Individualized Congregation Consultation
- Number of Congregations Per “Class”: 3-5
- Building Belonging: Disability Inclusion Cohort
- Participation in Hand in Hand
Continued Commitment, Partnership, and Involvement:
- Access to webinars and community trainings
- Continued involvement with Building Belonging: Disability Inclusion Cohort bi-monthly meetings
- Congregation’s logo will be advertised on Stone Belt’s website as a committed partner.
- Seal of commitment will be given to each congregation to display on their own website (will have number of years in the program displayed on seal)
- Continued participation in Hand in Hand

PROGRAM ELEMENTS DESCRIPTIONS

Congregation Assessments

We will primarily be using the Stone Belt’s Indicators of Belonging to do the initial congregational assessment, reflection, and planning. Other congregational assessment tools can be used based on primary goals of the congregation.

Disability Inclusion Committee

Each congregation will be asked to create a Disability Inclusion Committee of some sort. This committee must include

at least one person with a disability and/or parent of person with a disability
a clergy (or equivalent)
one or more other interested congregants

Individualized Congregation Consultation

Each congregation have about 2 hours a month available to them for individualized consultation from the Spiritual Support Coordinator. This may include in-person or virtual trainings, conversations, and coaching:

Individualized Congregation Disability Inclusion Plan
Congregation specific training
Advisor and resource provider
Additional consultation to meet goals

Building Belonging: Disability Inclusion Cohort

At least one representative from each congregation will meet bi-monthly altogether to share ideas, offer suggestions, share struggles/successes, and training opportunities.

Hand in Hand

The congregation will participate in one of the following ways in support of the Hand in Hand program:

Individual: 3 individuals will donate food and each of their homes will be a pick up location

Communal: The congregants donate food and their faith community will be a pick up location

Webinars (Archived)

Faith & Disability: Moving from Exclusion to Embrace (YouTube video)

What is Ableism? How Is This Evident In Faith Communities Today?

Welcoming People with Disabilities Across the Lifespan: They want what we want, They need what we need, They are we! (You Tube video)

Buidling Belonging & Inclusion in your congregation (You Tube video)

Support During Times of Grief & Loss (You Tube video)

Building Relationships through Mutual Connection with Non-Speaking Individuals

Creative Strategies for Inclusive Digital Worship

Hidden in Plain Sight: The Power of Spirituality in Inclusive, Quality Supports

Resources

Christian

Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality
Author: Thomas E. Reynolds

Disability and the Way of Jesus: Holistic Healing the Gospels and in the Church
Author: Bethany McKinney

The Bible, Disability, and the Church: A New Vision of the People of God
Author: Amos Young

Islam

EnabledMuslim, a project of American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP), is an online community for spiritual and practical support for Muslims with disabilities and their loved ones. http://www.enabledmuslim.org/
MUHSEN (Watch video) provides a range of accessible services, education, resources, and programs to encourage inclusion in your masjid. https://muhsen.org/

Jewish

Article: http://www.enabledmuslim.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Promoting-Inclusiveness-for-People-with-Disabilities.pdf
Gateways provide free resources for Shabbat and Jewish holidays on their website. http://www.jgateways.org/Resources
Jewish Disability Awareness Month Guide: https://inclusioninnovations.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Final-JDAM-2021-Guide-12.14.20.pdf
How Inclusive Are We Congregation Assessment: https://cdn.fedweb.org/fed-2/2/Synagogue%2520Self-Assessment%2520-%2520Revised.pdf

Articles

ARTICLES

Presbyterian Today (Jan. 18, 2021)
Is your digital ministry leaving out people with disabilities?
How to welcome all into the 21st century
-Sarah McKenney

Multi-faith Books

From Longing to Belonging—A Practical Guide to Including People with Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions in Your Faith Community by Shelly Christensen
Autism and Your Church: Nurturing the Spiritual Growth of People with Autism
by Barbara J Newman
Every Child Welcome: A Ministry Handbook for Including Kids with Special Needs by Katie Wetherbee
Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities: A Guide for Service Providers, Families, and Congregations by Erik W Carter

Ready to Use Forms/Tools

Congregational Outreach Survey
PDF (downloadable)
Indicators of Belonging
PDF (downloadable)