https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 19 Apr 2024 18:46:06 +0000 Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/recognizing-image-god-every-body-jacob Many people who grew up in the church with Sunday school stories will easily remember the story of Jacob and Esau; it makes for an excellent conversation on sibling rivalry when you are a little kid.  Network Moderation https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/recognizing-image-god-every-body-jacob Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/recognizing-image-god-every-body Note: This project was developed as part of the requirements for the Cer Becky Jones https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/recognizing-image-god-every-body Mon, 18 Mar 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/physical-disabilities/get-hearing-loop Note: Juliette Sterkens and David Myers led a Hearing Loop Workshop which can be found on youtube.com/@disabilityconcerns. Juliette Sterkens https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/physical-disabilities/get-hearing-loop Mon, 29 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/facilities/universal-design-church-0 Monroe Community Church (CRC) in downtown Grand Rapids, MI, had the unique opportunity of renovating a 17,400 sf, uninsulated, raw, 1963 industrial building into their new church home. Steve Fridsma https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/facilities/universal-design-church-0 Mon, 22 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/intellectual-disabilities/sometimes-words-wound If you or someone you love experiences disability, then chances are you’ve heard your share of stereotypes, strange sentiments, or even wounding words. Sara Korber-DeWeerd https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/intellectual-disabilities/sometimes-words-wound Mon, 16 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/disability-awareness-sunday-2023 Disability Awareness Sunday is quickly approaching! It's celebrated on October 8 in all RCA churches and on October 15 in all CRC churches. As such, it's time to start planning. Here are some ideas to help you as you plan worship for Disability Awareness Sunday: Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/disability-awareness-sunday-2023 Tue, 26 Sep 2023 16:01:31 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/separating-people-their-mental-illnesses I’m not sure how it came about anymore, but as I lay in bed, I found myself thinking about Vince Li. In 2008, while hallucinating, this young man murdered the passenger next to him on a Greyhound bus in Manitoba. Michele Gyselinck https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/separating-people-their-mental-illnesses Thu, 29 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/new-disability-concerns-contact-rca Rev. Jeremy Simpson is the new Director of Diversity and Belonging for the Reformed Church in America.  As an advocate for multi-ethnic and cross-cultural ministry, he’s lived a life of welcome and hospitality. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/new-disability-concerns-contact-rca Fri, 23 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/terry-deyoungs-retirement-reflections I’ve been overthinking retirement for several years, so for that reason alone it’s a relief to finally put a period at the end of a very long, convoluted, confusing, run-on sentence. Terry DeYoung https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/terry-deyoungs-retirement-reflections Tue, 18 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/autism/autistic-jesus “Faith is not a question of the existence or non-existence of God. It is believing that love without reward is valuable.” Emmanuel Levinas “We must love in such a way that the one we love feels free.” Thich Nhat Hanh  Sarina Moore https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/autism/autistic-jesus Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/mental-health/elijah-and-his-purported-depression The pastor of my church is preaching about the prophet Elijah and his breakdown following his triumph on Mount Carmel. Michele Gyselinck https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/mental-health/elijah-and-his-purported-depression Wed, 22 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/big-give-and-ableism The Big Give is a Canada-wide event that churches can choose to participate in or not. The purpose is to bless our communities by offering services or items that people can take home free of charge.   Michele Gyselinck https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/big-give-and-ableism Mon, 27 Feb 2023 13:52:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/facilities/hearing-loop-training-churches Calling all church audio/visual technicians! What type of audio system do you have in your church for people living with hearing loss?  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/facilities/hearing-loop-training-churches Wed, 04 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/hearing-word I write from Scotland, where 23 years ago I had an ear-opening experience while worshiping at the Iona Abbey. The spoken word, after reverberating off its stone walls, was an inaccessible fog to my hard-of-hearing ears. David G. Myers https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/hearing-word Thu, 22 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/attitudes/why-cant-we-do-both-mary-martha-and-myth I’m both a person with multiple disabilities, and a good worker. The problem with holding those two concepts in tension is my distinct lack of efficiency. Mike Walker https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/attitudes/why-cant-we-do-both-mary-martha-and-myth Wed, 07 Dec 2022 18:02:26 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/physical-disabilities/breaking-barriers-fall-2022-notes In my "pre-stroke" life, I was a professional musician, playing and teaching flute and piccolo. All of that changed for me in the middle of the night on February 15, 2010. I suffered a major stroke, losing function on the left side of my body. Rae Terpenning https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/physical-disabilities/breaking-barriers-fall-2022-notes Wed, 16 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/hearing/breaking-barriers-fall-2022-editorial-adapting As someone who was born with a physical disability that became noticeable when I started walking, disability has been baked into my identity for as long as I can remember. Terry A. DeYoung https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/hearing/breaking-barriers-fall-2022-editorial-adapting Mon, 14 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/disability-concerns-book-club-my-body-not I picture Jesus telling the church who fought against the ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act): 'Depart from me, for I was in a wheelchair and you gave me no ramp; I was deaf and you gave me no interpreter; I was blind and you gave me no visual descriptions. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/disability-concerns-book-club-my-body-not Thu, 18 Aug 2022 18:04:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/happy-anniversary-ada-plus-4-disability On July 26, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 turned 32. This important civil rights law created more access to public places. In honor of the ADA's anniversary, I'd like to share my top 4 disability etiquette tips for public interactions. Laura C. Robb https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/happy-anniversary-ada-plus-4-disability Mon, 01 Aug 2022 15:45:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/attitudes/disability-concerns-canada-summer-2022 This article in a part of our Disability Concerns Canada Spring 2022 newsletter. You can find the rest here: DC Canada Spring 2022 Newsletter. Our Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/attitudes/disability-concerns-canada-summer-2022 Thu, 21 Jul 2022 13:31:06 +0000