Baptism and Christian Identity: Shaping Liturgical Practice from the Perspective of Disability

WORKSHOP

Over the last decade, churches across the ecumenical spectrum have shown increasing interest in welcoming the gifts of people with disabilities. However, congregations often face practical, pastoral, and theological challenges to receive those gifts, particularly from people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This workshop considers the stories of people with intellectual disabilities in relationship to their experiences of baptism, baptismal vocation, and Christian identity. It unpacks key insights from this population and explore liturgical practices (including catechesis and baptismal reaffirmation) as ways to affirm baptismal identity and vocation regardless of disability. It also discusses baptismally-rooted practices that provide increased opportunities for liturgical participation among people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.