On Monday, December 3rd 2018, the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Church Network for Disability Support will be offering a webinar on ‘Universal Design for Ministry: A Three-part Whole-community Strategy to Ministering with Families with Disabilities.’
(In short, you should come and serve at Christian Horizons Family Camp with people who experience disabilities! You can learn more and apply here: www.christian-horizons.org/familycamp) Jim and son Steven enjoy tubing at the 2017 Christian Horizons Family Camp A Christian Horizons Family Camp Poem By Chantal Huinink Dreams can come true, eh? Christian Horizons [...]
Adolescence is a challenging time for many young people, and with today’s complexities – in part due to rapid technological advancement and 24/7 connectivity – it has only become an increasingly tricky season of life to navigate. Add to this the potential social stigma, barriers, and support needs that come with visible and invisible disabilities and mental health challenges, and it is no wonder that youth pastors and practitioners are hungry for relevant training and resources in this area.
Developed in collaboration with Christian Horizons, this certificate program will equip people to foster belonging in all aspects of ministry and outreach with people living with a disability and their families. Engaging modules address practical, theological, and relational aspects of being the Body of Christ as people of unique abilities – together.
When churches utilize universal design principles in planning—whether for discipleship, worship, community engagement, leadership development, or facilities—they create ministries where everyone can belong and participate.
"What if the opportunities to experience the joy of community and the familiarity of long-ago learned rituals were open to them at any time, just like anyone else…Imagine if all of these people could participate in synagogue seders or at peoples’ homes."
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" ~ 1 John 3:1a
At the Life to the Full conference we will hear from insightful speakers and have the opportunity to talk about the themes of Ability, Belonging and Community. I will be facilitating a panel there as one of the workshops. I would love to meet you, and hope that you won't miss this unique and valuable opportunity!
The theme of the Christian Horizons Family Retreats this summer is Nehemiah 8:10 which says, "… For the Joy of the Lord is my strength." I find this verse particularly valuable at the intersection of faith and disability. First, how can people affected by disability live with "joy?” My joy comes from the Lord’s joy [...]
The focus of the conference is to educate, equip and encourage Christian leaders, teachers, volunteers, families and people with exceptional needs with tools and resources to help build communities of belonging in their local faith communities.
