https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 19 Apr 2024 09:03:28 +0000 Fri, 31 Jul 2020 23:41:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/intersection-racism-and-ableism This article has been adapted by permission from an article by Deaconess Lynn Swedberg, DisAbility Ministries Committee newsletter, United Methodist Church.  Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/intersection-racism-and-ableism Fri, 31 Jul 2020 23:41:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/happy-anniversary-americans-disabilities This morning, I gave this brief talk and offered a prayer at my church's morning worship service (Intersection Ministries). Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/happy-anniversary-americans-disabilities Mon, 27 Jul 2020 00:35:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/path-toward-fuller-welcome On July 26, 2020, the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will celebrate its 30-year anniversary. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/path-toward-fuller-welcome Fri, 08 May 2020 23:57:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/five-ideas-creating-belonging Before Christ, only the high priest, only one day each year, was allowed to enter God’s throne room, but when Jesus died, the curtain separating us from God’s throne room, the most holy place, was torn in two and all barriers fell away. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/five-ideas-creating-belonging Tue, 18 Jun 2019 00:33:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/mental-health/chaos-confusion-inadequacy-hope-peace Parenting is difficult, juggling empathy and direction, firmness and gentleness, clinging and releasing, taking control and standing by. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/mental-health/chaos-confusion-inadequacy-hope-peace Tue, 28 May 2019 15:14:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/model-ministry-third-space By Terry DeYoung and Mark Stephenson Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/model-ministry-third-space Thu, 23 May 2019 01:18:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/enriched-differences About 25 years ago, I led Joe (not his real name) through the process of making profession of faith at the church I was serving as a pastor. Years later, Joe began attending the church where my family now attends. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/enriched-differences Mon, 17 Sep 2018 13:48:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/theology/reflections-taking-unit-clinical-pastoral From May 29 through August 10, 2018, I had the privilege of taking a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/theology/reflections-taking-unit-clinical-pastoral Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:45:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/shifting-indirect-success This summer in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) I’m working with men in an addiction recovery program. I’ve appreciated the privilege of joining these men on their journey toward sobriety. I grew close to two men in the program who both recently discharged. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/shifting-indirect-success Fri, 03 Aug 2018 11:56:58 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/congregational-care/i-want-be-adjective-when-i-grow This summer, I’m on a study leave from Disability Concerns, doing Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/congregational-care/i-want-be-adjective-when-i-grow Mon, 02 Jul 2018 22:32:07 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/congregational-care/drawing-jesus-hides-big-stain I’m spending the summer on a study leave from Disability Concerns doing Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services wor Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/congregational-care/drawing-jesus-hides-big-stain Mon, 18 Jun 2018 17:18:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/parents-and-family/murder-not-mercy-killing The Disability Day of Mourning to commemorate people with disabilities murdered by caregivers will be observed on March 1 in more than 50 communities across the globe.  Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/parents-and-family/murder-not-mercy-killing Mon, 26 Feb 2018 00:47:05 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/theology/something-we-can-do-about-rampage-killings Every time a rampage killing happens, like the recent horror in Las Vegas, people ask “Why?” By attempting to identify the factors that led an individual to commit such a horrific crime, we hope we might prevent such a crime in the future. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/theology/something-we-can-do-about-rampage-killings Mon, 09 Oct 2017 17:10:01 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/children-and-youth/honor-not-job As a former teacher, I know that children are a wealth of knowledge. I learned something every day through the eyes of a child and still cherish it all. Bonnie Wolf https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/children-and-youth/honor-not-job Thu, 07 Sep 2017 19:28:06 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/physical-disabilities/celebrating-beautiful-things There’s something deeply joyful and human about moving our bodies to music. So when my friend, Rod Hugen, wrote me about the first time his sister Ruth danced, I wanted to share the video and story. Ruth composed the music. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/physical-disabilities/celebrating-beautiful-things Thu, 07 Sep 2017 14:42:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/physical-disabilities/spoiled-brat-gets-his-way-and In Me Before You by JoJo Moyes, wealthy Londoner Will Traynor becomes quadriplegic after an accident. Understandably, Traynor grieves the swashbuckling life he led previous to his accident. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/physical-disabilities/spoiled-brat-gets-his-way-and Tue, 29 Aug 2017 11:59:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/theology/trials-charlie-gard Charlie Gard, an 11-month old resident of the U.K., has caught the attention of world leaders including Theresa May, Donald Trump, and Pope Francis. He has a rare and fatal genetic condition which has kept him at Great Ormond Street Hospital most of his life. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/theology/trials-charlie-gard Fri, 28 Jul 2017 14:17:29 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/physical-disabilities/disaster-response-team-includes Joelle Wilhelm never had to know how to use a screw gun before — mainly because the need had never come up. Chris Meehan https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/physical-disabilities/disaster-response-team-includes Tue, 20 Jun 2017 17:13:49 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/just-lower-branches-response-autism When I was in middle school in a small town in Massachusetts, there was one boy in our class, Thayer, who used a wheel chair sometimes to get around. Thayer had polio as a child which left him with a physical disability. Ken Nydam https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/just-lower-branches-response-autism Tue, 06 Jun 2017 00:05:05 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/mental-health/clergy-mental-health "You need to do something about this,” the pastor pleaded. I was walking back to my room while attending the annual governance meeting of my denomination, the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), when this pastor approached me. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/mental-health/clergy-mental-health Wed, 17 May 2017 14:54:19 +0000