All In
The newest venture of Anabaptist Disabilities Network, made possible by a grant from the Lilly Foundation
In April 2025 Mennonite Health Services Association and Anabaptist Disabilities Network received a grant from the Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative to launch the “All In: Immersive Worship for Everybody” Project.
Over the next 5 years, alongside 19 Anabaptist congregations, ADN is going on a journey of creating accessible, intergenerational worship. Together we will explore worship practices that engage people of all ages and abilities, such as art projects, dramatic reenactments of scripture, songs, and liturgy that can be learned with repetition. In addition, we will explore other embodied, multi-sensory practices, including traditional rituals like communion and anointing.
Together we will take steps towards creating intergenerational worship that reflects the full diversity of the Body of Christ, inclusive of all ages, abilities, and experiences. We’ll do this through:
Individualized Support
This means tailored guidance for each church through site visits, coaching and program assessments.
Peer Learning and Support
This network of churches will form a community as they learn alongside one another through group coaching calls, in person and virtual gatherings, and sharing in an online forum.
Exclusive Training and Resources
Access to practical resources and training developed by leading voices in disability ministry along with expert led sessions on trauma-informed ministry, embodied worship, children’s ministry, disability theology and more.
Our Goals:
- Through our work together, ADN will develop training resources to continue nurturing and expanding the network of “All In” congregations for years to come.
- More children, especially children with disabilities, will participate and take part in leading intergenerational congregation worship.
- Children of all abilities will deepen their connection with God and their faith community.
- Parents and caregivers will feel worship is a place where all their children belong.
- Pastors and congregations will be equipped, learning how to plan and lead intergenerational and multi-sensory worship services in a sensory-friendly and trauma informed environment.
