wfn.org | Special Commission Examines Disability Needs

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

19-November-1997 
97447 
 
    Special Commission Examines Disability Needs 
 
    by Sharon Kutz-Mellem 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--The General Assembly Council's Commission on Enabling 
Ministry met here Nov. 14-16 to discuss ways to implement the 1996 General 
Assembly's mandate that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) provide more 
ministry tools to persons with disabilities. 
 
    The commission was convened by GAC member Diane Wheeler of Palmyra, 
N.Y. 
 
    Brett Webb-Mitchell of the Duke University Divinity School, a 
consultant to the commission, outlined the theological arguments for fully 
incorporating persons with disabilities into the life of the church.  "It 
is redundant to say `church' and `inclusive' at the same time," he 
insisted.  "The church is, by definition, inclusive -- it is the people of 
God." 
 
    One of the specifics called for by the Assembly is to provide basic 
tools of ministry in alternative modes of communication to the printed 
word.  Timothy Little of the University of California at Davis and the Rev. 
Rick Roderick of Louisville demonstrated for commission members how 
information can be provided and transmitted to persons with blindness and 
other print disabilities. 
 
    The Rev. Stella Dempski of First United Presbyterian Church in 
Westminster, Md., spoke to the commission about how to educate 
congregations about disability "courtesy," including minor physical 
modifications to church buildings that would enable pastors with 
disabilities to serve them.  Karen Paul, a graduate of Louisville 
Presbyterian Theological Seminary, shared her experiences of making access 
changes at the seminary to enable the full participation of students with 
disabilities. 
 
    Commission members will oversee production of a resource about 
disability concerns for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), will develop a 
network of persons within the denomination who are knowledgeable about 
disability concerns and who are are able to provide additional resources 
and will explore the creation of a disabilities resource office for the 
denomination. 
 
    More information about the Commission on Enabling Ministry can be 
obtained by calling Sharon Kutz-Mellem at (502) 895-1230 or Annie Wu King 
in the Women's Ministries Office in Louisville at (502) 569-5401. 

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