One Body in Christ: Disability Awareness, Lent and Easter Options

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Anne Masters, Ph.D., FAAIDD

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Anne.Masters@rcan.org

973-497-4309

Vol. 3, Issue 1, March 12, 2021

Dear Friends and Co-Workers in the Vineyard,

I hope you are well. This season of Lent I think the sense of reflection is magnified, along with a sense of anticipation and yearning for "life after COVID." We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, yet we are still in the tunnel. We can see the light of Easter, yet we are still in the desert.

This edition of One Body in Christ Together provides a brief highlight of presentations from the Community For All video library available until 3/31, Virtual Stations of the Cross and Easter Sunday Inclusive Family Mass. Please share with all you think may be interested.

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

Yours Sincerely in Christ,

Anne

Community For All (C4A) Interfaith Disability Awareness Conference

To refresh your memories: Community for ALL (C4A) Interfaith Disability Awareness Conference and more is part of a national initiative to raise awareness about the concerns of individuals with disabilities and those who love them regarding their experiences in faith communities AND to provide ideas on how faith communities can respond. Registration provides access to the full library of workshops to watch whenever you want until March 31. Registration is only $10 in the Archdiocese of Newark because Loyola Press has generously sponsored the RCAN Community Group. There's still plenty of time to access this great video library with helpful information for everyone: pastor, priest, PCL, deacon, catechist, "motivated person in the pew," and more! There has been very positive feedback on the quality and value! I hope you can participate.

Some Highlights for Pastoral Leaders and How To Register

First person accounts:

Rev. Padraic Collins-Bohrer, an Episcopalian priest who has cerebral palsy, shares his story of discerning his vocation and his journey through ordination and beyond. His story provides insights into possibilities for individuals with disabilities within all areas of ministry and challenges the presumption that ministry is done for individuals with disabilities, but not by and with.

Mental Health: this is a common topic of interest among clergy and lay pastoral leaders

2 about accompanying or parish focus: “Mental Illness: What is it and why does it matter for your faith community?” and “Supporting Those with Mental Illness in Your Congregation and Community”.
1 when Pastoral leader has MH issues: "Weeping together: When a Minister Struggles with Mental Health."

Youth Ministry:

"We Are Able: Offering Inclusive Christian Service Opportunities for Youth and Young Adults."
"Building the Next Inclusive Generation: Partnering with Youth, Children and Families to Create Inclusive Communities"

Camps: Shares different models and demonstrates development and raised expectations.

“The Tikvah Program at Camp Ramah: 50 Years of Inclusive Camping and Still Evolving” provides different models of interesting possibilities.

Catechesis:

4, including 2 on adapting cyber catechesis (sponsored by Loyola Press)

Parish organization: multiple. Different, yet similar themes and ways.

"Belonging in Action"

Disability & Theology: Spirituality and/or belief informed actions

"Spirituality in the Context of Nonverbal Autism"
"Reconsidering Charity Within the Body of Christ"

National conversation on disability, faith and public policy. A provocative conversation for people of faith. Faith traditions represented on panel: Muslim, Jewish, Catholic and Episcopalian (a priest with cerebral palsy).

Click here for more details and for the registration link.

Wednesday, March 24

8:00 PM

Click here for downloadable Stations flyer to share.

Easter Inclusive Family Mass

Everyone is welcome to Inclusive Family Masses, which are adapted for individuals with disabilities, their families and friends. Very often individuals or families living with developmental, intellectual and/or other disabilities do not feel welcome attending their local parish liturgy, although they are very welcome. So these are the people and families, in particular, that we are inviting to attend, to celebrate the Eucharist with other members of the surrounding community.

Click here for downloadable Easter Mass flyer to share.

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 for moms and one for dads. We are gathering virtually for now. For more information about support and connection, contact: