Resource Search Results

Victoria White on Inclusion in Circles of Congregations

All Belong will keep helping congregations become welcoming communities for people of all abilities, especially through its innovative Circle of Congregations for Teaching and Learning program.

Conversation | January 19, 2021

Elizabeth Bajema: All Belong in God’s Family

Churches sometimes see themselves as inclusive simply because they have attendees from group homes. But true inclusion means getting to know people as individuals with gifts to offer in God’s family.

Conversation | July 06, 2020

Shaping Worship During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sparking New Connections at New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Roxboro, North Carolina

Like many congregations, New Mount Zion Baptist Church has people with varying abilities, incomes, and technology access. In this edited conversation, LaTonya McIver Penny shares how to use a mix of digital and old-fashioned ways to help worshipers and community members stay connected.

Conversation | April 14, 2020

LaTonya McIver Penny on Worship with Differently Abled People

Churches decide to include people with disabilities when they realize God sees us all as equals and all as differently abled. LaTonya McIver Penny advocates for inclusive worship, especially in African American congregations.

Conversation | February 25, 2020

Universal and Responsive Design for Missional Worship: A Vision of Inclusion

2019 Cultivating Vital Worship | Session

Audio | July 17, 2019

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

2019 Calvin Symposium on Worship | Workshop

Audio | April 17, 2019

Ways We Witness: Disability and the Mission of the Church

2019 Calvin Symposium on Worship | Workshop

Audio | February 15, 2019

Disability and Inclusive Communities (published 2019)

Publisher: Calvin College Press

Disability and Inclusive Communities intends to discuss why we're all worse off when we exclude people with disabilities from our communities and to help readers learn how to build communities that fully include people with disabilities.

Publication | January 15, 2019

Pearls, Promises, and Potholes: A Traffic Report from the Intersections of Faith, Ministry, Theology, and Disability

A presentation and discussion with Rev. Bill Gaventa, hosted by Barbara J. Newman

Video | October 26, 2018

Disability in Heaven

This video explores what it might look like to think that some disabilities might have a place in heaven.

Video | July 19, 2018

From Barriers to Belonging: The Church and People with Disabilities

Led by Erik W. Carter, this session focuses on ten dimensions of belonging and their salience to the inclusion of people with intellectual disability, autism, and other developmental disabilities in the full life of the church.

Audio | May 10, 2018

Disability, Timefullness, and Gentle Discipleship

Join with John Swinton in a plenary session on disability, timefullness, and gentle discipleship.

Video | April 27, 2018

After the Benediction: Putting Faith to Work the Other Six Days

This presentation focused on the multiple avenues through which the supports and relationships available within congregation can meet real needs in the lives of people with disabilities and their families throughout the week.

Audio | April 11, 2018

Worship as One: Disability in Community video

Through implementing small changes, churches can become inclusive communities for people with a variety of abilities and disabilities.

Video | February 07, 2018

Congregations and Persons with Dementia: A Story and Ideas to Try

TOGETHER is a new Bible study curriculum designed to include, appeal to, and challenge adults of varying abilities. The new curriculum is building community in ways that enrich worship in congregations and congregation members with dementia.

Article | December 08, 2017

Barbara J. Newman on Adult Inclusive Small Group Bible Studies

TOGETHER is a new Bible study curriculum designed to include, appeal to, and challenge adults of varying abilities. It aims to build community in ways that may enrich congregational worship.

Conversation | September 29, 2017

Ten Ways to be More Inclusive and Welcoming in Worship and Church Life

Here are helpful suggestions for congregations who strive to include people across the full spectrum of abilities in their small group settings and beyond.

Article | August 03, 2017

Many Colors Paint the Rainbow: A Service of Scripture Proclamation, Choral, and Congregational Song

The Calvin College Alumni Choir collaborates with members of Coro Polifónico from the Seminario Internacional Teológico Bautista in Argentina and Artists Creating Together, a Grand Rapids-based choir that empowers individuals with disabilities to learn, grow, and celebrate through the arts to lead songs, hymns, and anthems which express our profound solidarity as members together of Christ’s body.

Video | March 13, 2017

Universal Design, Responsive Design: Keys for Welcoming Persons with Varied Abilities

Worshipers and congregation members certainly do not come in a “one size fits all” wrapping! As you gather for worship you will notice an array of gifts, but you may also see the areas of struggle each one brings to the community.

Audio | February 20, 2017

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Your Church

With one in 68 individuals being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, it is likely that your worshiping community already includes someone with ASD. If you are a pastor, worship leader, musician, church school teacher, or church volunteer, discover specific ways to identify, interact with, and worship with persons with ASD.

Audio | February 15, 2017

Calvin Institute of Christian Worship