1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary
© 2024 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Whether you’ve been in the inclusion kitchen for many years or are embarking on the journey, you are invited to taste the three ingredients that will help you include children and adults of all abilities within your congregation. During this training, you will discover how you can mix together these ingredients to create a community of belonging for each person within your church:
Regardless of the role you play (whether paid or volunteer), you will discover these ingredients benefit everyone within your congregation! Come as an individual or bring a group from your congregation to leave with a plan!
The cost for this training is $15 and includes a $5 lunch voucher and a copy of Accessible Gospel, Inclusive Worship by Barbara J. Newman.
Worship music will be led by Pointe North Worship team, and lunch entertainment will be by Jack Triebold; a 16-year old guitarist and singer/songwriter from Mount Pleasant, SC.
María Eugenia Cornou is Program Manager for International and Intercultural Learning for the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Her areas of responsibility include international programs, curating web and print resources including translations of worship resources into multiple languages, facilitating conversations and networking with scholars, teachers of worship, and other church leaders, and grantmaking support.
She is from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she taught biblical studies and was administrative director at International Baptist Theological Seminary. Maria holds degrees in public accounting and theology and is finishing a PhD in theology from the Free University of Amsterdam on the topic of Protestant worship in Argentina.
For over 30 years, Barbara J. Newman has endeavored to create communities of inclusion through CLC Network (also known as Christian Learning Center). Co-administrating the inclusion program at Zeeland Christian School allows her to stay on top of best practices which she shares at schools and churches nationwide and in her books and practical resources. She is the author of many books, including Autism and Your Church, Helping Kids Include Kids with Disabilities, the Inclusion Awareness Kit, Nuts & Bolts of Inclusive Education, and her latest title, Accessible Gospel, Inclusive Worship.
Rev. Charles Penny and Rev. LaTonya McIver Penny, New Mount Zion Baptist Church
Rev. Charles Penny serves alongside his wife Rev. LaTonya Mclver Penny. His passion is to “preach the Gospel” of Jesus Christ. He also has passion for youth and wants them to understand that believing and worshiping Jesus Christ leads to a life of abundance!
Rev. LaTonya McIver Penny serves as the pastor for New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Roxboro, NC. She believes that all children are in the “imago Dei,” the image of God, and should be treated with love, honor, and respect. She is actively involved in many organizations pertaining to children with disabilities and the fair treatment of children. In March of 2013, she launched her nonprofit Mary’s Grace Incorporated, which creates programs and ministries of inclusion for persons with disabilities and their families, in churches and communities. Mary’s Grace is the spiritual go to organization for all persons with disabilities and their families.
Presented by
Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Lowcountry Special Needs Network
