Whereas the Bible calls us to be a caring community as the covenant people of God,
Whereas we recognize that our Lord Jesus Christ requires the involvement of all his people in the ministry of his church,
Whereas we have not always made it possible for people with disabilities to participate fully in the community and have often isolated them and their families,
We pledge ourselves to be the caring community according to I Corinthians 12, paying special attention to the needs and gifts of people with physical, sensory, mental, and emotional impairments.
We pledge ourselves, to make public these needs and capabilities through our various communication and educational materials.
We pledge ourselves to overcome three barriers:
- the attitudinal barriers which make persons with disabilities feel unwelcome;
- the communication barriers in sight, sound, and understanding which may impede participation; and
- the physical and architectural barriers which make it difficult for persons with some disabilities to enter.
We commend those within the denomination who have made efforts to eliminate these barriers in order to use the gifts of all people in our life together as God's family.
