Synod Participation: Disability, Life and the Church, Webinar Series and more.

Building Community

One Body In Christ

Together

Visit Our Website

Click to Contact by Email

Anne Masters, Ph.D., FAAIDD

Director

Anne.Masters@rcan.org

973-497-4309

Vol. 4, Issue 3, March 7 2022

Dear Friends and Co-Workers in the Vineyard,

This edition of One Body in Christ Together is focused on synod options and planning to include the voices of people who are impacted by disability, both in specific listening sessions for them and highlights tips for general listening sessions. There's also information about a webinar series to help pastoral leaders feel better prepared responding to complex support needs, ongoing activities and other points of interest.

Thank you for all you do for ALL of God's people!

Yours in Christ,

Anne

Synodality - Everyone Included

The Church, Life, & Disability - Intentional Invitation

The Office is partnering with two parishes to host listening sessions: St. Therese of LIsieux in Cresskill will be in person, March 20th at 2:30 PM and a ZOOM listening session with St. Bartholomew the Apostle March 28th at 7:30 PM, and a survey that is also noted on the PDF.

Click here for PDF with schedule and links for listening sessions and survey.

Planning for Synodality

Does your planning process for Syond listening sessions consider the diverse members of your parish... and those who are missing or you haven't seen in a long time?

Have you asked people about accessibility support needs in registration process? Click here for more information specifics .

Can people see and hear your presentation during session? Click here for specifics on preparing accessible presentations.

Have you considered ways to enhance the participation experience? This includes considerations for the the large and small group planning. Click here for specifics to help during a listening session.

Do some people understand better with simple language and pictures? Pictures to the right are from the adapted listening session in Synod section on ministry website. Click here for a listening session that uses simple language and a lot of pictures.

Top picture compares the synodal process to planning a trip. Msgr. Rich Arnhols from St. John the Evangelist in Bergenfield in picture. Bottom picture: Cheryl Rile, Director of Mercy House and Respect Life with a volunteer during coat drive, illustrating ways of living the Gospel living.

A priest two men and two women are talking. there's picture of a map. One man has a guide dog. One woman is using a wheelchair.

Two women standing in front of a car with open back revealing a lot of coats.

‌

The Vatican Synodality Newsletter liked our contest,

"Name the Difference"!

Thank you again to Steven Serafin of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle Church who won and all who entered! AND... did you notice the edited version of logo for Archdiocese of Newark Synod process above? Growing in Synodality means learning to appreciate each other in our fullness as integral partners journeying together as disciples of Christ

Click link here to read it.

When Hospitality & Belonging Becomes Hard

The Religion and Spirituality Interest Network for the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) is hosting this excellent series of monthly webinars. Speakers from diverse disciplines and faith traditions: psychology, education, social work, human services, theology, and pastoral leaders, lay and ordained. Interfaith representation. Live presentations and conversation on ZOOM offering the opportunity to engage with experienced and knowledgeable professionals from the US and Canada. Sessions will be recorded and available afterward.

Setting the Stage: Boundaries and Belonging. Already aired but will be available shortly online.
Seeing and Understanding Behavior Through the Lens of Support March 16, 2022 @ 2:00 PM
When Hospitality & Belonging Becomes Hard: Faith Community Strategies for Responding to Adults and Varying Needs April 27, 2022 at 2:00
Boundaries and Belonging: We are Called to Create Boundaries without Exclusion or Chaos May 10, 2022

Click here to register for each session and access recordings.

Be Part of the National Study of Disability and Ministry & Receive $100

Is your parish making active efforts to welcome individuals with disabilities and their families? Erik Carter and his team at Vanderbilt University invite you to participate in the new national study of disability and ministry. They want to interview ministry leaders across the country to learn more about the diverse ways churches are working to widen their welcome and the impact it is having. Receive $100 for being part of a 90-minute interview through Zoom. Erik, a friend and colleague of mine for many years, has been doing important research at the intersection of disability and participation in faith communities. His name and work should be familiar to those of you who have heard me talking about the 10 Dimensions of Belonging. Click here to learn more about Erik's work. The survey is for lay and ordained pastoral leaders of individual parishes/congregations. Click here to participate in the survey!

Inclusive Family Masses

Very often, individuals who have intellectual, developmental and/or other disabilities, and those who love them, do not feel comfortable attending their local parish liturgy, although they ARE very welcome. Inclusive Family Masses address this concern and invite them in particular to come and enjoy celebrating the Eucharist with other members of the surrounding community. All are welcome.

Click here for Inclusive Family Mass schedule.

Accompanying Families

We currently have two groups for parents of individuals with disabilities that have been meeting for many years at St. John the Evangelist in Bergenfield. One is for moms and one is for dads. The groups' schedules are a mixture of in person and virtual gatherings at this time. For more information about support and connection, contact info below.