Becoming More Inclusive Winter 2016
by Kathy Nofziger Yeakey
This fall I visited with a pastor at Marion Mennonite Church in LaGrange County, Indiana. Only forty minutes away from Elkhart by car, the trip reminded me of traveling back in time or to another country as I carefully maneuvered around the Amish buggies sharing the roads.
The pastor first took me on a tour of the ongoing remodeling project and facilities addition designed to make the church building more accessible to persons with disabilities. Soon, anyone using a wheelchair will be able to freely access classrooms, the worship space, the fellowship hall and more. Thanks be to God!
As we talked, she shared with me that people living in LaGrange County sometimes feel geographically and socially isolated. Persons who attempt suicide or have other acute mental health needs have not had ready access to inpatient mental health services or needed social services. But she shared with me recent developments that will provide greater access to emergency mental health services for people in the area. Thanks be to God!
Just today I spoke by telephone with a pastor on the east coast who feels God leading him to make changes in his church’s youth ministry to better meet the needs of youth with disabilities. This pastor realizes that the existing youth ministries seem to have difficulty connecting with youth with disabilities, and he feels called to do something about it. Praise be to God!
Anabaptist Disabilities Network offers resources and connection to congregations like these as they seek to become ever more inclusive of persons touched by disabilities. Won’t you join us in this mission by contributing to our work in 2016?
Kathy Nofziger Yeakey is Executive Director at ADN.
