Disability Book Club: My Body Is Not a Prayer Request

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. I needed an accessible bathroom and you did not install one because it was too expensive. I asked you not to insult me by saying "lame" and you laughed at me. I wanted to be included, and you said it would violate your faith commitments. I was disabled and you did not accommodate me.' —Amy Kenny, My Body Is Not a Prayer Request 

Join us in reading My Body Is Not a Prayer Request, by Amy Kenny. In her book, Kenny discusses ways the church has perpetuated ableism in the past and how we can come together to engage in disability justice.

Kenny is a disability scholar, Shakespeare lecturer, and author. You can also find Kenny on Instagram and Facebook and follow her conversations on disability justice.

Over 60 churches have hosted book clubs! Consider doing this with an existing book club, with church staff, an inclusion team, a social justice committee, or whoever in your church is interested. 

We would be happy to send you a leader's guide and up to 10 free books thanks to generous funding from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Read more about the book club in this Banner article. 

Fill out this form to indicate how you would like to be a part of the Amy Kenny book club. 

Additional Resources:

Let's End Ableism at Church Video recordings of our virtual training on What is Ableism? and How Can Churches Overcome Ableism?

Resources for Disability Awareness Week Bulletin inserts, worship materials and more. 

Calvin University January Series Lecture Dr. Amy Kenny

Diversity Inclusion For All Podcast an interview with Amy Kenny sponsored by Calvin University and Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

Disability Belongs in Church Amy Julia Becker interviewed Kenny​ on the podcast Love Is Stronger than Fear.