Our associate rector the Rev. Dr. Craig Lemming; our deacon the Rev. Judy DesHarnais; our seminarian Trevor Sannes; and parishioner and lay leader Susan Creel have been meeting to discuss and plan how we can begin the work of greater and more purposeful Disability Awareness and Inclusion here at St. John’s.
July is Disability Pride Month, and will mark the kickoff of this work of inclusion. From now through the end of July, we are offering a series of weekly articles written by parishioners who experience disabilities, both visible and invisible. In these reflections, they will share how their disabilities intersect with their faith and participation in the church community.
by Susan Creel and Patrick Creel
Statistics on Disability and Family: 85% of families of children with disabilities do not attend church regularly. It is estimated that 35% of families of children with disabilities who do attend church leave communities of faith because of lack of access and inclusion.
-Moments of Joy Podcast
When we attended our first liturgy at St. John the Evangelist in the summer of 2023, we were on a shopping trip. Not like a trip to the grocery store or the mall. We were shopping for inclusion and genuine hospitality. We were shopping for a church.
We were searching for a place where we could be our authentic selves. A place that we could call our spiritual home. Our church.
Participation in church community and in liturgy and sacraments had been a large part of our family for decades. We felt a hole in our lives after we left our former church.
We each had slightly different priorities but we all agreed that wherever we landed, the church had to be Open: Open hearts and minds of members and leadership, and open theologically.
The church had to have a culture that actively and purposefully avoided harmful assumptions about disability. A church that integrated people of all abilities so they could fully and actively participate in the life of community. People had to be aware and genuinely kind.
A church that rejected Ableism.
It also had to be physically accessible. Lack of physical access when a person has a physical disability is a deal breaker for our family.
When we arrived at St. John the Evangelist for the first time, we were greeted by many people who were helpful and made us feel welcome. The elevator was clearly marked so we could enter the worship space easily.
At the second liturgy we attended, there was a person serving as Verger who used a wheelchair.
During our third liturgy, the usher taking up the offerings noticed we were using some American Sign Language. When she took our offering, she signed: “Thank You”. The moment was spontaneous and genuine. It was natural and not forced. It was a clear demonstration of awareness and hospitality. That was the moment we knew that St. John the Evangelist was meant to be Our Church.
Experiencing the love of our Creator and Jesus Christ through friendships at St. John the Evangelist is rejuvenating. It is a no judgement zone. Sometimes having a disability can be unpredictable. Being part of a community that leads with kindness, generosity, and understanding is what we hoped for and what we have found.
St. John the Evangelist is Our Church.
Rejoice and be glad, for you affirm my value as a gifted person and your understanding and love have opened the doors of love for me.
– From “The Beatitudes of Acceptance”