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Changing Attitudes
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Latest posts
(Un)Loved
Jasmine Duckworth shares vulnerably about her struggle for self-acceptance after a chronic-illness diagnosis.
Scripture-based Play
Ambler Mennonite uses Legos to engage Scriptures across ages and abilities.
Lessons Learned
Shelly Kerchner shares her journey through addiction, illness, and disability.
Immanuel: God with Us
God is with us in our pain, suffering, and isolation. Jesus's incarnation brings us hope.
The Kin-dom of Heaven
Sarah Werner provides an eloquent imagining of what it feels like to be wholly welcomed into God's Community
All posts on changing attitudes
Portrait of Survival
Suicide in the church is often considered taboo, sinful, or selfish. Tiara Coleman shares her story of surviving two suicide attempts in efforts to shatter the stigma, silence, and isolation in our congregations.
"I Am Here"
Ann Hamlin shares her perspective as a nonverbal young adult in a poignant song.
(Un)Loved
Jasmine Duckworth shares vulnerably about her struggle for self-acceptance after a chronic-illness diagnosis.
A Church for All People
Some congregations are finding that when they talk openly about mental health, it becomes natural to include mental health problems in the care and support they offer.
A Lot of Fun Miracles
Tamara Gill shares how friendship with children with disabilities has changed her life
A Meaninful Role to Play
Chou Gabikiny is a counselor, consultant, and mother to children with disabilities. She explains how churches thrive when everyone has a role to play.
A Paradox* of Joy
The third week of Advent
A Worthy Part of God's Family
Chrissie Denino's church celebrates her baptism after she expresses her faith using sign language.
Accessibility Benefits Everybody
Advent Week Four
Advent Week Four
Advent Week Three: Joy
Advent Week Three
An Extraordinary Life
An Extra Ordinary Life, by Rhoda G. Penny, reviewed by Rebekah Flores.
And Who Is My Neighbor?
Seattle Mennonite members are companions to neighbors who have been homeless, many of whom have a mental illness.
Anti-Ableism 101
Learning from people with developmental disabilities to experience healing as a broken person
Autism in the Congregation
Suggestions for including children with autism in church activities
Beautiful Day
Ron Sandison's journey with autism has been like the weather in Michigan, filled with both beautiful days and thunderstorms.
Bionic, with a Sense of Humor
Christine Purves reflects on aquiring disabilities while growing older
Book Review: Margins of Grace
Building God's Kingdom One Job at a Time
Christian employers are learning about the positive outcomes of employing people with disabilities.
Come and See
Learning from Mary-Anne to see prayer time as sacred and enjoyable once again.
Come Live with Me
Five things I never knew about people with developmental disabilities until I started living with them. By Deborah Ferber.
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, how do we reach out to those who are lonely?
Community Transformation at L'Arche
Community transformation means offering a stranger a cup of cold water and through that cup of water transforming the relationship into a friendship.
Creating Space for Love
The fourth week of Advent
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution
Dancing with Alta
Learning to contra-dance from a gifted young dancer with Down syndrome
Disability and Health Care Rationing
Embodiment in Worship
Sarah Werner reflects on the church's changing beliefs about physical disabilities and calls us to a more embodied approach to worship.
Five Ridiculous Things You Probably Believe About Mental Illness
Debunking common misperceptions about mental illnesses
Following the Call, Finding a Way
Bryce Miller shares about his call to ministry in light of living with cerebral palsy.
Friendship
Naomi Epp recounts the ways her friendship with Chantel has been a blessing for both of them.
God Can Turn Us to Hope Again
In the ICU, you wait. Wait for a nurse to come turn you, wait for your next meal to be delivered, wait for pain to subside, wait for independence to return, wait for dignity to be restored.
Hear Then the Parable
When we enter into authentic friendship with people with disabilities our worldviews and preconceived notions of humanity are confronted and transformed.
Hsi-Fu’s Gift
Getting to know Hsi-Fu is an adventure, and once you form a friendship with him, you know you are holding a rare gem in the palm of your hand.
Immanuel: God with Us
God is with us in our pain, suffering, and isolation. Jesus's incarnation brings us hope.
Including Children with Autism
Assembly Mennonite Church finds ways to include a child with autism and support his parents
Lessons Learned
Shelly Kerchner shares her journey through addiction, illness, and disability.
Making Friends with Time
Learning the Advent grace of waiting for another with openness of heart
Making Spaces Welcoming for All
Jeanne Davies calls congregations to greater belonging and inclusion.
MC USA Accessibility Resolution Passes
Ministry at L'Arche
Deborah Ferber reflects on the connection between living at L'Arche and her seminary studies preparing for ministry.
My Brother Who Doesn’t Say a Word
Even though Christopher cannot speak, Deborah has learned that togetherness can happen when they share a meal together, listen to good music together, or laugh at a good joke.
On Learning to Grieve Beautifully
Life lessons in living with grief learned from living companions with developmental disabilities
On Learning to Live a Lot
Life lessons from living with people with developmental disabilities: Learning to live a lot suggests that we haven’t giving up, that we are still breathing and moving forward.
Open Hearts, Open Doors
Good news for people with disabilities is close to the heart of Jesus’ gospel message and the mission of Anabaptist Disabilities Network.
Out Now: "Everybody Belongs, Serving Together"
A new resource for congregations
Panda Cake and Down Syndrome
Friends with developmental disabilities help make a birthday party filled with warmth and love.
Perfect in God's Sight
“Remember, you are perfect in God's sight,” athlete Tim Berta reflects, after surviving a traumatic brain injury.
Puppets and Children with Autism
Maria Witmer-Rich tells about using puppets to engage a child with autism in the Sunday school class she teaches
Ready and Able
Tony Walters, a deacon at Papago Buttes Church of the Brethren who happens to have autism, helps prepare for the congregation's love feasts.
Redefining Disability
At First Mennonite Church, ability or disability seem irrelevant, as persons with disabilities contribute through leadership and other gifts.
Scripture-based Play
Ambler Mennonite uses Legos to engage Scriptures across ages and abilities.
Semester of the Heart
A story of priorities reoriented by living in community with people who have developmental disabilities
Stigmatizing and Separating: A Parent's Plea
A mother describes the world of stigma and injustice that her daughter with an intellectual disability faces. Stigmas towards those with disabilities need to change, and need begin in the church.
Thank You
The words “thank you,” coming from a man who rarely speaks, embody God's hospitality and gratitude to a caregiver
The Kin-dom of Heaven
Sarah Werner provides an eloquent imagining of what it feels like to be wholly welcomed into God's Community
The Kingdom of God is like...
With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?
The Least of These
The intersections of poverty culture, race, and mental health
The Messages of Community
After spending time with friends with developmental disabilities, the author comes to realize their rare awareness and maturity.
The Point of No Return
Dwight Roth paints a haunting word picture that challenges us to think about who we are and how we show compassion
The Prince of Peace
Advent Week Two
The Weak are Indispensable!
Could the Apostle Paul have been thinking about people with disabilities when he wrote, “The members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable”?
The Wisdom of God
By choosing to become the scapegoat of humanity’s violence, Jesus radically identifies with the suffering “other”
To stare or to gaze
How will we look at people with intellectual disabilities? with a stare or with a gaze?
Tragedy Opens a Door
Pastor Bob Molsberry reflects on the hit-and-run bicycle accident that has left him using a wheelchair and how this experience contributes to his ministry overseeing congregations in Ohio.
Transition to Adulthood
Kevin Sauder shares about the transition from school to adult life for his son who is on the autism spectrum.
Tribute to Aunt Debbie
A tribute to a beloved aunt, who had many fondly remembered qualities, one of which was that she had Down syndrome.
Walking through Fears into the Wonder of Love
Epiphany
When Someone is Considering Suicide
How can we help prevent suicide?
Where We Need to Be
Christmas 2020
Will you be my friend?
For the first time I understood that people with developmental disabilities asked the same questions and shared the same hopes that I did.
Worship Service Marks Mental Health Awareness Month
One congregation's effort to raise awareness and offer support
Wounded and Whole
Why does the Resurrected Jesus have wounds? Laura Stone muses in her sermon on disability and wholeness. Plus a sneak peek of Laura and Peggy Gilbert's performance poetry.
Youth Ministry for All Abilities
Resources and reflections from The Gathering Place on youth ministry that includes people with disabilities, from eight Anabaptist writers and speakers.
Opening Doors topics
Accessibility
Autism spectrum
Awareness
Caring
Christian education
Church leaders
Deafness
Disabilities of Aging
Families
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Hearing Loss
Hidden disabilities
Intellectual disabilities
Mental health
Mobility Impairments
Other faith traditions
The Hope of Waiting
Vision Loss
Worship