Pastoral Care With and For People with Disabilities

Access Sunday • June 22, 2008

"He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them.” –Luke 10:34 (NRSV)

If This is Not a Place

If this is not a place — where tears are understood,
where can I go to cry?
And if this is not a place — where my spirit can take wing,
where can I go to fly?
If this is not a place — where my questions can be asked,
where can I go to seek?
If this is not a place — where my heart cries can be heard,
where shall I go to speak?
A place to seek,
A place to speak,
A place to fly,
A place to fly.

*— Ken Medema, musician/composer/performer; If This is Not a Place; Copyright 1977, WORD MUSIC. INC. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission, License #: 294276

The theme of the 2008 Access Sunday resources is pastoral care with and for people with disabilities. If the term “pastoral care” suggests trying to “fix” people with disabilities, or a one-way helping relationship, or “doing for” people who have little to give to the church or community, you may be surprised at some of the articles and stories that have been included.

The resources call the church to a mutual ministry with and for persons with disabilities. The resources challenge the church to recognize and treasure the gifts and talents of people with disabilities.

“We confess that we have sought to limit you, to exclude from fellowship and service those whom you treasure …” (Worship Resources, Unison Prayer of Confession)

Other worship resources include two remarkable sermons by people who live with disabilities, “God’s Heart for Wholeness” and “Follow the Light,” and a bulletin insert with a short meditation on the lectionary reading from the Hebrew Scriptures for June 22. Personal stories testify to pastoral care and congregational awareness that was or was not given. “Cares of my Heart” recounts the struggle of a child to come to terms with her disability and the claims of faith. “Created in the Image of God” is a story of transformation. “Inclusion: A Church’s Quest” describes a congregation’s ministry with a family. The last story in the series asks, “Where Were the People of God?”

The pervasive and damaging ideas that people with disabilities need to be “fixed” or that disabilities are either God’s punishment for sins or tests of faith are explored in a series of articles. “The Fix, Cure, or Kill Syndrome of Life with Disability” explores the spiritual formation of persons with disabilities. “Healing vs. Curing: Reflections for Pastoral Caregivers” offers a commentary on one of the healing narratives of Jesus. Excerpts from an article by distinguished disability advocate, William Gaventa, further develop these themes. “A Word for Professional Chaplains” is not included in its entirety but it can be accessed online. “ Living With Tough Questions” offers alternative to some popular “religious” solutions.

If pastoral care is not “fixing,” what does it mean for people with disabilities? “A Ministry of Presence” describes a way of “being with” persons with disabilities. The following articles develop the ideas of “presence” and offer ways of carrying out this mutual ministry: “Circle of Friends,” “Core Values of Circles,” “Practical Guidelines for Starting a Circle of Friends,” “Helping Persons with Developmental Disabilities Deal With Death,” and “Deacons and Stephen Ministry.”

"Speak Out" presents short personal statements by people across the denomination. One writer experiences mutual ministry with and for persons with disabilities “ … a minister told me that when I cannot sing or pray at worship there is someone there singing and praying for me … And maybe at some time I will be the one singing and praying for someone who can’t.”

We are grateful for the many persons who provided material for this packet and want to particularly thank Kirsten Malcolm Berry who honored us by sharing her beautiful work of art that so beautifully captures our theme. Kristen is an Elder at Hope Presbyterian Church in Richfield, Minnesota.

Access Sunday Resources Team, Presbyterians for Disability Concerns (PDC)

the Rev. Bebe Baldwin
Marilyn Clark
the Rev. Robin Lostetter
Sarah Nettleton
the Rev. Donna Whitmore