Disability Concerns Canada Fall 2021 Issue: Connection at the Heart of What We Do

*This is the first of four articles in our Disability Concerns Canada Fall 2021. You can find the rest here: DC Canada Fall 2021 Newsletter

While it’s always been important to build and maintain relationships, as we round the corner toward the two-year mark of COVID-19, connection is perhaps more critical than ever before. 

The isolation of the global pandemic has changed much across the world, most especially in how we connect and relate to one other. Whether by conducting business meetings via video chat, attending church online, visiting with friends outdoors even in the middle of a Canadian winter, or turning more to good old-fashioned mail and telephone calls, we have all had to learn to find and embrace new strategies to keep our relationships strong.

Connection is thus the theme of this newsletter. You will find a delightful story by Elly VanAlten* about special connections she recently experienced on her birthday and an excellent write-up by Becky Jones on Disability Concerns Canada’s October Series* and the new resource Everybody Belongs, Serving Together, which focuses on building connections and inclusion within the church.

In November, Disability Concerns joyfully welcomed the talented Lindsay Wieland Capel as its new director. She is replacing long-time director Mark Stephenson, whose impact on the ministry cannot be overestimated. We have included an article about these two amazing leaders* and the connection that exists between their individual approach, vision, and passion for making a difference with and for people with disabilities.

As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas. If you would like to submit an article for a future newsletter, please contact us at [email protected].

—Jenna C. Hoff is a church advocate for Inglewood CRC in Edmonton, Alberta, and co-editor of the newsletter alongside Elly VanAlten and Becky Jones.