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What does Fall have in store for us?

As a mom with 2 teenagers, looking forward to the fall is a challenge. We are facing such uncertainty, it is easy to become consumed with fear. I am struck by the immense uncertainty that we are all forced to accept in our lives and how critical it is to simply trust that God remains present and in control. As a ministry we have spent this year shifting and changing to connect with our community in many different ways. While it was a bit daunting at the onset, it has become exciting to realize we have created new paths of connection in response to this year's health crisis. How fitting that Disability Concerns theme for this year is agility. When this word was chosen, we could never have anticipated how relevant it would be. We continue to move forward this year with great agility!

—Becky Jones, Editor

Have you considered writing for Breaking Barriers?

Winter 2021 - The coronavirus pandemic actually has removed barriers for some people with disabilities, allowing access to communities and spaces that were inaccessible before. Please tell us your story (400 words) of unexpected access with a disability by October 30, 2020.

Inspire 2021

The Inspire 2021 planning team is creating a 40 day devotional leading up to the event. (Inspire 2021 will be an exciting and uplifting three days designed for ministry volunteers and leaders from Christian Reformed and Reformed churches across North America.) They are looking for people of all ages, ethnicities, genders and abilities that make up the writing team. Each devotional would be around 350 words based on the event theme: "Inspired to be one".  

For more information, please contact Kristen deRoo VanderBerg, CRC Director of Communications & Marketing

Leadership Training Event 2020 - recap!

Recordings Now Available of
Leadership Training Event 2020

In August, Disability Concerns hosted our first online Leadership Training Event ever! Over the course of 2 days the theme of Agility was explored - from the perspective of the lived experience and ways in which churches can be agile in their ability to embrace people of all abilities. Thank you to all the speakers who shared with us. It was a time of great learning for all. As this event was hosted online, we were able to record this event. If you did not have the opportunity to join us live, or wish to review some of the amazing conversations that took place over the  2 days, the recordings are now available. Enjoy a review of the event and follow up links to recordings.

Read Full Review

Blog

The Narrative of Suicide

September is suicide prevention month. The World Health organization has reported that someone dies by suicide every 40 seconds. This is a staggering statistic. We cannot ignore the significant impact it is having on our faith communities. How are we working together to offer support to our friends and family that are struggling? One important part of the conversation is making the space to share our stories with others in an effort to bring the discussion out of the shadows and into the light.

Access the Resources

Social Justice

At the Intersection of Racism and Ableism

This article has been adapted by permission from an article by Deaconess Lynn Swedberg, DisAbility Ministries Committee newsletter, United Methodist Church. She brings awareness to the fact that there are layers of racism that are often being overlooked.  It is important to pay attention to ableism that is integrated into our society as well. She notes startling statistics on the correlation between racism and ableism. It is critical in our current climate to address our ableist mentality that is lurking in the corners at all times.

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Save the Date! October Series

Disability Concerns Canada Conference Re-Imagined

We are offering our annual Disability Concerns Canada conference this year online as a series every Thursday at 12pm EDT in October on Zoom. Speakers will talk about aspects of caregiving including self-care, parenting, and sibling relationships. Event is free, open to everyone, and you only need register once for all five sessions.

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Save the Date! Disability Sunday 2020

Resources for Disability Week and Disability Sunday 2020

The Reformed Church in America encourages churches to celebrate Disability Sunday on October 11 and the Christian Reformed Church on October 18. This year, our theme is Agility. What does agility mean to you? What does agility look like in our churches? Healthy church communities learn from people who have disabilities and provide opportunities for them to lead. Provided are a number of resources for churches to use to celebrate Disability Sunday.

Read Article

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This mostly monthly e-newsletter is a ministry of Christian Reformed Church in North America and Reformed Church in America Disability Concerns ministries.

Christian Reformed Church in North America
1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508-1407
3475 Mainway, Burlington, ON L7R 3Y8

Reformed Church of America
4500 60th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512

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