Inclusive Ministries 

Videotape Resources

Inclusive Ministries Presentation - Jan, 2006
Rejoicing Spirits Ministry
Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc.

What is Inclusion?

Inclusion means to offer the same respect, dignity and opportunities to all people. Inclusion means affording all people with disabilities/differences the opportunity to serve in every facet of the worship experience.

The following three videotape titles can be found in the ABCNJ Library, Hamilton Office:

1. “Surprising Grace: People, Disabilities, Churches” Produced and Directed by: William W. Gee Media Services, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
    
   This 15 minute videotape along with its study guide will help facilitate a workshop or study group on the topic of inclusion in the church. It will also help to familiarize your congregation with some of the issues facing persons with disabilities. The videotape shows people with disabilities actively participating in their churches worship and boards. The videotape has interviews which explain why those on the tape feel welcomed by their particular churches.
    
2. “Celebrating Inclusion in Worship: Seth’s Bar Mitzvah” Produced by Pathways Awareness Foundation, Chicago, Ill.
    
   This videotape is a story of one family’s journey of inclusion to be able, after three years, to have their son’s Bar Mitzvah. It shows the desire of people, both physically and mentally disabled, to worship the same as you and I. It shows that they too have a connection with God, in their own way, just as you and I do. The video shows the importance of making the whole family feel welcome and no different than anyone else in the house of worship. It shows how important it is to make your physical place of worship accessible to all.
    
   Seth worked three long years to arrive at the day of his Bar Mitzvah. He had the support of many caring people along the way, including the Rabbi. Everyone worked together to bring Seth to the day of his Bar Mitzvah.
    
   The important thing to remember is that we treat all people with disabilities with dignity and respect. They are people first and disabled second.
    
3. “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors” Produced by Pathways Awareness Foundation, Chicago, Ill.
    
   This videotape points out the three parts which make up inclusive ministry. This videotape along with its study guide will help facilitate a workshop or study group on the topic of inclusion in the church.

The three parts which make up inclusive ministry are:

• Affirmation
• Communication
• Accessibility

Affirmation according to Joseph Cardinal Bernardin: “inclusion begins in our hearts. It begins with affirmation. We should open our hearts to one another and recognize the strengths of every person….when we open our hearts and our community to the gifts each person brings, we are all strengthened.”

Communication according to Joseph Cardinal Bernardin: “Communication begins with an open mind. When we unite with one another in a community of love, we learn to communicate in open, caring ways. We need to be sensitive to how we communicate with one another, with our children, with ourselves.”

People-First Language:

Person with a Disability
Persons with Disabilities
A Man Who Uses a Wheelchair

Accessibility: Mother Theresa says: “We can do no great things, only small things with great love. Together, these small things will add up to monumental change.”

When we make changes in access to our church buildings benefits everyone. Who are the benefactors of these changes: people with strollers, people with temporary casts, crutches, cane or chair, as well as persons needing accessibility on a more permanent basis.

An Inclusion Committee should have members of all abilities, thus giving the committee a reflection of the needs within the church congregation.

You can borrow any of these resources by contacting:

Beverly J. Allegretti
Coordinator for Inclusive Ministry
ABC of NJ
609-587-8700 (V)
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it