Better Together: Transformed by God’s Variety of Gifts
Whether your congregation or worshiping community celebrates Disability Inclusion Sunday on June 14, 2015, the date designated in the Presbyterian calendar, or at some other time (or times), Presbyterians for Disability Concerns (PDC), one of the ten networks of the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA) urges you to take advantage of our many resources.
This year, PDC, in collaboration with the Office of the General Assembly and the five human resources departments of the PC(USA), is excited to make available,“Better Together: Transformed by God’s Variety of Gifts.” This resource, commissioned by action of the 219th General Assembly (2010), has been created for use in almost any context where people gather. It includes powerful personal testimonies and strategies for inclusion in every setting, from worship and Christian education to places of employment.
Members of the leadership team that created this newest PC(USA) resource will be offering a workshop on it at this summer’s Big Tent Event in Knoxville, Tennessee (July 30 – August 1). If you will be attending Big Tent, this is a Don’t Miss Opportunity- Encouraging Full Inclusion of People with Disabilities in our Congregations and Councils (Big Tent Session D on Friday, July 31st). Registration information is available.
PDC exists to encourage and celebrate the gifts of all people including persons with disabilities. PDC’s understanding of “disability” describes it as any condition that has the potential to prevent an individual from living a full life. Some disabilities are visually evident, others are more hidden – but PDC members understand that the most destructive barrier is that of attitude; an attitude that is all too often held by the “temporarily abled.” An attitude that says, “No, you can’t!” The message of Presbyterians for Disability Concerns is just the opposite: “Yes, we can!” Because each one of us was created for joy and relationship.