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Disability Ministries

"But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.  The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable."
1 Corinthians 12:18, 20-22

Our vision is to network, educate, and resource churches and the Covenant as a whole so that persons with disabilities and their families are effectively served and fully included in the life and ministries of the Covenant and their local communities.

Check out these featured ministry components:

• World Autism Awareness Day - This document from the United Nations explains how, why and when World Autism Awareness Day began.  As a church we believe persons with autism, like everyone, can live in a loving relationship with Christ who came and first loved them.
• Disability Resource Manual - this comprehensive guide for churches and church leaders is available for download on the tools page.
• Disability Ministry Network - see what other churches are doing in the field of Disability Ministries and contact them to jump start your own ministry.  
• Accessibility - check out descriptions of what it means to be accessible and assess the accessibility of your congregation with the "Indicators of Welcome"

Please read the following statement on ministry to and with people with disabilities from our committee chairperson, Jim Swanson:

Roughly one in every five persons lives with some sort of disability.  Such persons are welcomed and incorporated into the lives of several of our Covenant congregations because those congregations have taken the time and initiative to remove barriers and make adaptations that make it possible for persons with disabilities to come to worship, take part in education, and be involved in various aspects of their congregations' life and ministries.

As we share success stories, link them with each other and with the wider fellowship of the Covenant, and make known many available resources, then others can more fully incorporate persons with disabilities into the full life of the Church.   Individuals with disabilities, as well as their families, can be better served than they often are now. 

Barriers and adaptations may be physical in nature, but they may also involve listening devices or larger print, offering companionship or respite care, being sensitive to allergies, or providing an interpreter.  Most of all what is needed is an attitude which assumes that persons with disabilities belong in the life of the fellowship, and have abilities and gifts which can enrich the life, worship and service of congregations, conferences, the wider denomination and all of our ministries and activities.     

This ever changing website seeks to be a catalyst by providing ideas and resources which will enrich our Covenant community as well as others who may browse its links.   As one who has accessed this site you may know of other helpful resources or have your own positive experiences to share.  If so please contact jen.cardwell (at) covchurch.org so that your suggestions might be considered.