Turning from Ableism Toward Wholeness: This collaborative event will bring together churches from across the Western Jurisdiction to mark the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Gathering at in-person hubs and virtually, clergy and lay participants will learn about accessibility, anti-ableism, and disability justice through practical workshops led by Disability Ministry leaders across the Jurisdiction. Engaging in worship, fellowship over meals, and an optional documentary screening will equip participants to return to their congregations with new knowledge for practical and prophetic change. We will lament the sin of ableism and commit to working to build God’s inclusive, justice-filled Kin-dom on earth.
The goal of this conference is to gather UMC leaders and congregations across the Western Jurisdiction for 2.5 days of community learning about disability justice in the church. Churches and their leaders will have the opportunity to participate in the full event or to just join worship on Sunday, July 26th, the 36th anniversary of the ADA. By offering the opportunity to worship together across space on Sunday, we will reach more churches and will demonstrate for them how they can lead Disability Awareness Sunday in their own contexts next year.
Registration is available at this link.
Schedule:
- Friday 7/24 (local time, in-person only, optional):
- 5 pm-7:30 pm Dinner, Documentary Screening and Discussion
- Saturday 7/25 (in-person at a hub or virtually):
- 8 am PT/9 am MT: check in and light breakfast
- 9 am-10:15 am PT/10 am-11:15 am MT: Worship
- 10:20-11:20 PT/ 11:20-12:20 MT: Workshop 1 – Disability Theology Panel
- 11:30 PT/12:30 MT: Lunch
- 12:30 PT/1:30 MT: Workshop 2 – Universal Design
- 1:30 PT/2:30 MT: Break
- 1:45 PT/2:45 MT: Workshop 3 – Neurodivergence Panel
- 2:45 PT/3:45 MT: Break
- 3:00 PT/ 4:00 MT: Workshop 4 – Kids/Youth
- 4:00 PT/ 5:00 MT: Break
- 4:15 PT/ 5:15 MT: Workshop 5 – Anti-Ableism and Accessibility Audits
- 5:15 PT/ 6:15 MT: Closing Remarks and Invitation to Sunday Worship
- 5:30 PT/6:30 MT: Dinner
- Sunday 7/26 (gathered at hubs or livestreaming from own church):
- 9:30am PT/10:30am MT: Worship
