Nominations and Elections Report
Leadership Program for Musicians
First Call Theological Education
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The Western Iowa Synod
Disability Resource Team
encourages churches to become more aware of including persons with disabilities in their worship and activities, as well as making the facilities more accessible to those with disabilities. They are eager to consult with congregations and individuals and offer resources and ideas. Contact the Disability Resource Team via e-mail or through the synod office at 712-732-4968.
Open Roof Application -- Word -- PDF
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Awareness Presentation Available
The Western Iowa Synod Disability Resource Team is excited to offer a special presentation that raises awareness about persons with disabilities, congregational accessibility, the needs of caregivers, and available resources -- all to help your congregation be as caring, welcoming and inclusive as possible. Be sure to invite a team member to your congregation's worship, adult forum, council meeting, etc. We are eager to share! For more information or to set up a time, please contact Chandra McMahon, team chair.
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Open Roof Award by Chandra McMahon, Disability Resource Team
The Western Iowa Synod Disability Resource Team is changing the name of our biennial accessibility award. Why change the name of the award? Open Roof reminds us of the four men in Mark 2:3-4 who were trying to bring their paralytic friend to Jesus for healing. These men did not give up when the crowd was so large. They decided to lower their friend from the roof so he could be healed by Jesus. What would it be like if no one gave up? If we looked for ways to include all people in worship life?
The Open Roof award 2009 will be presented to a congregation that has found ways to make their church and its ministry more accessible for people with disabilities. An application may be downloaded here. Applications are due December 31, 2008. Any congregation that has not won the award is eligible to apply. If your congregation has won the award and has new projects to include all people, you are also welcome to apply again.
The Disability Resource Team would like to challenge each congregation to take a look at the needs of your people. Are there some needs that are not being met? It is easy to say we added that elevator or chair lift five years ago and think we are done. Are there new needs in your congregation? Please don't just say we have no disabled or everything is fine at our church. If we can do even one new thing to help someone with a disability feel welcome, we are improving. We all need to learn from the four friends. We cannot stop until all of God's people are able to come to church and learn about Him! |
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Resources |
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| Heaven's Very Special Child | |
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Can the Disabled Go to a Lutheran Camp? by Neal Norland, St. John Lutheran, Cylinder Can the disabled go to a Lutheran camp? A simple answer would be yes. I am Neal Norland, and I am 14. I have a physical disability which affects me doing various tasks throughout the regular day. I use a wheelchair to get around most of the time, and I need help at mealtime. Last summer was my fourth year at camp, and it was a lot of fun. This is my story about how Ingham Lutheran Bible Camp changed to make the camp more accessible to people with special needs. Click here to read the rest of Neal's story. |
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Is Attitude A Barrier? by Chandra McMahon, Western Iowa Synod Disability Resource Team How welcoming are we to those who are different from ourselves? This is a difficult question to answer. My name is Chandra McMahon. I am married and have three children, ages 13, 11, and 8. My 11-year-old daughter, Josie, was born 3 ½ months early, suffered brain damage at birth, and has cerebral palsy. We are active members at Bethany Lutheran Church in Emmetsburg. See the rest of Chandra's story in the September/October 2006 SPIRIT.
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An Automatic Door Opener is a Blessing! by Susan Keen, Ullensvang Lutheran, Thor, and member of WIS Disability Resource Team
I used to ask God, “Why me, why do I have to be in this wheelchair?” Now I realize that God has a special plan for me and being in this wheelchair is a big part of it. I think for one thing God is using me to make other people aware of people with disabilities.
For example, I would take a pie or casserole to my church, Ullensvang Lutheran Church in Thor, and I would have to hold the pie, open the big, heavy door, and run my electric wheelchair all at the same time. That takes three hands! This was not an easy task. Sometimes I would just wait until someone saw me, or someone would come along to help me open the door. I was not the only one needing this new electric door. Some of our other members walk with canes, are on crutches, etc. Now with the help of a disability fund at our church, and some very generous donations, we have an electric door at the back of our church. It is wonderful. I like to think I played a small part in the decision to install the doors at this time, even though many people needed and use it, and we all are very thankful that it is now in place. |
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Let God Lead By Megan Sorensen, Western Iowa Synod Disability Resource Team
It was about five years ago now. I was driving home from work on a beautiful fall afternoon. I was thinking about our new home and how much I loved it. I was thinking about our three-year-old daughter and marveling at her development. I was thinking about our marriage and our jobs and our new baby due in the spring. I closed my eyes and I said, “Lord, my life is perfect.” But while I was basking in the selfish glory of my perfect life, God had plans for me far beyond my comprehension. Read the rest of Megan's article.
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Expressing Our Needs By Vicky Brodale, Western Iowa Synod Disability Resource Team
I have worked as an AEA speech and language pathologist in the schools for a number of years, with students who have a wide range of special needs. During that time, I have tried to convince students that they need to be advocates for themselves and their needs -- whether those needs are physical, academic, or emotional. However, that can be tough to do because many of us have assumed it is not acceptable to say what we need, especially if we think that it will make life more complicated for someone else. I discovered how incredible it can be to have someone listen and then act upon an expressed need. Since my diagnosis with multiple sclerosis, I have found that others often appreciate it when I tell them what I need (although I still find it difficult to do!). For many years, the church choir at Bethlehem, Cherokee, sang from the loft. The handrails on the steps to the loft are constructed of beautiful oak 2X6 boards. Wonderful to look at but worthless as a functional handrail. I made a comment to that effect to Dick who also sang in the choir, and within two weeks, new three-inch round oak handrails were installed on the inner surface of the large 2X6 handrails! What a simple solution to a problem. Other choir members also commented on how wonderful it was to have functional handrails to grasp as they went up and down the steep stairs. That experience taught me the value of expressing my needs, and it also showed me how important it is to have someone who is listening. Look around your church -- are there changes that could be made to make participation easier for someone?
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