https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 19 Apr 2024 20:20:31 +0000 Wed, 24 Jul 2019 16:51:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/resources-disability-week-2019 Disability Concerns is providing announcements which can be shown in PowerPoint slides during worship services. Please use these on October 20, 2019 or whenever your congregation marks Disability Awareness Sunday. Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/resources-disability-week-2019 Wed, 24 Jul 2019 16:51:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-teams/rca-resource-addressing-sexual-abuse-worship At Safe Church Ministry, we are so thankful that the Body of Christ is responding to the harmful impacts of sexual abuse across denominations.  \We know sexual abuse is hard to speak about, perhaps especially in churches, and so it is important to have materials encouraging us to raise aware Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-teams/rca-resource-addressing-sexual-abuse-worship Wed, 26 Jun 2019 14:13:01 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/disability-concerns-canada-newsletter-june Disability Concerns Canada has published a newsletter for advocates, ministry leaders, and all who are creating the church to be a place where everybody belongs and everybody serves. Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/disability-concerns-canada-newsletter-june Tue, 18 Jun 2019 13:15:31 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sos-sharing-our-stories/how-hilary-scarsella-calls-church-end In a powerful blog, Hilary Jerome Scarsella reflects on what she has experienced and witnessed in the years following her sexual assault on the campus of her seminary.  These calls to the church to end sexual violence are important hear as Synod 2019 discusses the recommendations from t Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sos-sharing-our-stories/how-hilary-scarsella-calls-church-end Thu, 13 Jun 2019 14:12:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/leadership-ministers-disabilities If you'd prefer to listen to the post, use this video.  Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/leadership-ministers-disabilities Tue, 11 Jun 2019 01:38:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/videos-and-discussion-questions-lets-talk These short video interviews of families, children, and people living with disabilities will work well for showing in a worship service, Sunday School class, or other settings.  Often we are changed in and by our relationships with people with disabilities and their families, and so, conside Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/videos-and-discussion-questions-lets-talk Wed, 05 Jun 2019 15:00:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/attitudes/roundup-webinars-disability-concerns Disability Concerns has produced several webinars that are important resources for pastors, disability advocates, families, Sunday School teachers, and all disciples of Christ who seek to be a church where everybody belongs and everybody serves!  Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/attitudes/roundup-webinars-disability-concerns Wed, 05 Jun 2019 14:26:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/dance-assumptions When I meet someone new and have a longer time together than a nod and a smile, it feels like a dance of assumptions, teaching, and entry into a new place. Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/dance-assumptions Thu, 30 May 2019 14:39:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/contacting-churches-part-1-thinking-about Getting Yourself Ready: Thinking About the Relationship Dori Dykstra, Church and Volunteer Associate for Disability Concerns, and Mark Stephenson, Director of Disability Concerns Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/contacting-churches-part-1-thinking-about Tue, 21 May 2019 12:45:31 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/intellectual-disabilities/discipleship-and-ministry This morning I watched online as hundreds gathered in a church in Trosley-Breuil to celebrate the life and ministry of Jean Vanier, and to commit his spirit to God and his body to the ground. The service was a beautiful gathering of L’Arche friends from around the world, Catholic leaders, br Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/intellectual-disabilities/discipleship-and-ministry Thu, 16 May 2019 17:39:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/no-cost-options-welcoming-people At a recent RCA Minnesota Classis meeting Cassie Lokker had an opportunity to speak for a few minutes about disability advocacy.  During the meal break that followed, the classis president and clerk suggested we host a discussion about no-cost options for welcoming people with disabilities. Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/no-cost-options-welcoming-people Thu, 25 Apr 2019 12:49:18 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/policy-prevention/living-faithfully-and-well-together-20th Last month, over 90 people gathered at an Inter-classis Safe Church Conference, an event that Classis Huron, has been holding for 20 years. This event was very well organized and included many learning materials thanks to the dedication of Clas Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/policy-prevention/living-faithfully-and-well-together-20th Tue, 09 Apr 2019 14:28:17 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/new-bulletin-insert-disability-awareness Bulletin Inserts are now available for Disability Awareness Sunday on October 20, 2019! CRCs have been invited to order printed copies of this insert through the resource invitation that CRC Communications created for July to Dec 2019. Alternatively, congregations can order these insert Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/new-bulletin-insert-disability-awareness Wed, 03 Apr 2019 13:45:27 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/intellectual-disabilities/family-and-friends-life Cindy Schreutelkamp loves her family. She has four kids and three grandkids. She serves at ClearView Church where she loves “walking with and equipping youth to take their next steps with Jesus Christ." She lives with one of her sons, Zachary, in Oakville where he works at Kings Ch Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/intellectual-disabilities/family-and-friends-life Tue, 26 Feb 2019 14:09:41 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/why-i-am-disability-advocate-daysi-simbana “Our love for God starts by showing love to our brothers and sisters,” Daysi shares on how she felt called to serve as a disability advocate in her church.   Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/why-i-am-disability-advocate-daysi-simbana Wed, 20 Feb 2019 14:31:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/why-i-am-disability-advocate-kyle-crist Because he couldn’t get in the door, safely use the restroom, or access the pulpit, Kyle Crist “decided to become a disability advocate out of necessity.” Kyle felt called to advocate for himself and others because “this is what scripture calls us to do.” With a more accessible facility, other pe Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/why-i-am-disability-advocate-kyle-crist Wed, 20 Feb 2019 14:11:35 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/why-i-am-disability-advocate-cara-milne Cara became a disability advocate because a past disability advocate from her congregation asked her to consider serving because she said Cara “would be a perfect fit.”  While she worked with people with disabilities, disability advocacy wasn’t connected back to her faith until this opportun Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/why-i-am-disability-advocate-cara-milne Thu, 14 Feb 2019 15:00:59 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/why-i-am-disability-advocate-beth-odor When Beth told her mom she was working with people with disabilities, she said, “Of course you are, that’s all you’ve done your entire life!” Beth grew up with two best friends, one who lived with Cerebral Palsy and one whose parents both were deaf, and these relationships shaped her. S Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/why-i-am-disability-advocate-beth-odor Thu, 07 Feb 2019 15:14:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-clergy-ministry-leaders/safe-church-not-alone-faith-trust Last month I had the privilege of spending a day with Rev. Dr. Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-clergy-ministry-leaders/safe-church-not-alone-faith-trust Mon, 04 Feb 2019 15:05:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/why-i-am-disability-advocate-reg-laws After some convincing to become a disability advocate by his former pastor, Reg Laws was encouraged by helping other people and continues to be excited by the work, nine years later. Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/why-i-am-disability-advocate-reg-laws Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:47:41 +0000