https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Tue, 16 Apr 2024 08:35:05 +0000 Mon, 29 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +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/leadership/leadership-development/crcna-leaders-learn-about-ableism Recently, as part of their diversity goals, the Office of General Secretary staff at the Christian Reformed Church in North America joined together to read and discuss Amy Kenny’s book Ashley Medendorp https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/crcna-leaders-learn-about-ableism Mon, 22 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +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/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/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/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 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/attitudes/join-us-ableism-training-august This article in a part of our Disability Concerns Canada Summer 2022 newsletter. You can find the rest here:  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/attitudes/join-us-ableism-training-august Thu, 21 Jul 2022 13:25:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/children-and-youth/9-tips-include-all-kids-vbs-summer It’s summertime, and that means school is out and your church is most likely working on its summer programming. Check out this article for a few simple steps you can take so that every child will feel welcomed and included in your summer activities. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/children-and-youth/9-tips-include-all-kids-vbs-summer Tue, 05 Jul 2022 14:05:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/breaking-barriers-spring-2022 Spring 2022 │ Young Adults with Disabilities Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/breaking-barriers-spring-2022 Tue, 28 Jun 2022 13:00:17 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/breaking-barriers/rca-crc-disability-concerns-wins-4 Stories are powerful tools for connecting with each other. Breaking Barriers uses the power of stories—especially stories written by people living with disabilities—to provide us an important opportunity for connection, for learning, and for discipleship. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/breaking-barriers/rca-crc-disability-concerns-wins-4 Tue, 21 Jun 2022 14:22:07 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/join-us-understanding-ableism-church Let’s end #AbleismAtChurch Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/join-us-understanding-ableism-church Thu, 09 Jun 2022 13:26:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/facilities/visit-inclusion-coffeehouse "I was taken by the power that savoring a simple cup of coffee can have to connect people and create community." Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks Becky Jones https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/facilities/visit-inclusion-coffeehouse Thu, 09 Jun 2022 12:54:51 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/book-review-cassie-peters-standing-tall The novel Cassie Peters Standing Tall is an excellent novel for all ages, specifically middle school aged children. The book follows a young girl, Cassie, who lives with Cerebral Palsy. While this makes her life a bit more difficult, it doesn’t stop her from doing what she loves. Kyla Hewis https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/book-review-cassie-peters-standing-tall Thu, 21 Apr 2022 20:10:18 +0000