All people are created in God’s image and have sacred worth. It is vital to the body of Christ to celebrate and incorporate the gifts and graces of disabled persons in our local communities.
Did You Know?
- More than 1 in 4 adults in the United States have some type of disability (28.7%)
- Of over eight million veterans age 18-64, 22.8% report a service-connected disability, 8.8% report a general disability but not a service-connected disability, and 11/4% report both.
- In the U.S., more than 3.6 million African American adults have a disability.
- Over three million people with disabilities live in the most rural counties.
Preparing for and welcoming those in your community with disabilities is a form of radical hospitality.
What can your church do? Commit to taking a step this season to becoming more welcoming to those with some type of disability.
Here are some suggestions:
- Visit the website, umcdmc.org and review the information and resources provided.
- Complete the “UMC Annual Accessibility Audit for Churches.”
- Annual Conference Resources for 2024
- Your church may also choose to participate in “The Disability-friendly and Accessible Church Badge program” – information can be found on the website
- Learn more about “Anti-ableism” and review your worship service to understand how you might become more inclusive.
- Have a conversation with disabled persons in your community and listen for ways your church might better welcome them and others.
All of us have room to grow in our ministry with persons who are different from ourselves. Let’s all commit to taking one step this season to become more of a welcoming congregation to everyone in our community.