Connections: Winter 2016

Featured Connection

Light in the Dark
Josue and Norma Vazquez Maldonado were anticipating the birth of their third child, six years after their second daughter was born. They had settled comfortably in Fort Myers, Florida, having moved from their native Puerto Rico. They were attending church at Iglesia Menonita Arca de Salvación. One of the first people to welcome them was Ruth Diaz Mellote, who immediately became friends with Norma and would soon become even more significant in their lives.
We Are Able Workcamp
Everyone has gifts to share! Every summer, the Church of the Brethren provides opportunities for people to serve, worship, and have fun at workcamps. We Are Able Workcamp, July 10-13, 2016, New Windsor, Maryland, is a service opportunity for youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They will be joined by young adults without disabilities who will serve as assistants.

In this issue

- Teachers of the Soul
  Book review of Teachers of the Soul: The Heart of God Revealed through People with Disabilities, by David J. Gullman (Westbow, 2015). Reviewed by Christine Guth.
- Faith in Action Transcends Disability
  Joshua Dean finds a warm welcome and tangible expressions of the gospel in a new church home at Slate Hill Mennonite Church.
- ADN Updates February 2016
  Recent posts on the Opening Doors Blog, progress on the new website, and why you should visit our Facebook page

- Safety for Vulnerable Populations
  Steps that churches can take to ensure the safety of all vulnerable persons, including children and adults with disabilities.
- Special Needs Parenting
  Review of Special Needs Parenting: From Coping to Thriving, by Lorna Bradley (Huff Publishing Associates, 2015). Reviewed by Christine Guth.

- Becoming More Inclusive
  Two churches take new steps to become more accessible to people with disabilities. ADN offers resources and connection to congregations like these seeking to widen their welcome.
- Open Roof Award
  Cedar Lake and Staunton congregations were honored with the Church of the Brethren Open Roof Award for 2015.

About Connections

Connections is published three times a year by

Anabaptist Disabilities Network

3145 Benham Ave.,Ste. 5, Elkhart, IN 46517-1970

Christine J. Guth, Editor and Program Director; Kathleen Nofziger Yeakey, Executive Director.

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