The Northern Spirit Affirm Committee has made a commitment to take a wide lens approach to inclusion and what it means to be an Affirming region and share that vision with our communities of faith. December 3rd is the International Day for Persons with Disabilities. This annual event reminds us of our responsibility to better understand disabilities, and promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in our communities of faith as well as our wider communities where we live, work and play. It reminds us to do the work of breaking down the obstacles, seen or unseen, that can hinder accessibility, inclusivity, and progress. By working to remove these barriers, we open our doors to more creative, diverse, and welcoming environments. In real and meaningful ways we are called to recognize the image of God found in the diversity of creation. We can celebrate and affirm all people and the gifts they bring into our communities.
We invite you to take a little time on December 3rd and watch a few of these videos that explore the challenges, courage and joys in the lives of persons with disabilities. We further invite you to consider how you and your communities might expand your spaces and your welcome!
- The United Church of Canada: Living Into Our Full Potential
- Voices of Inclusion | International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- The Fight to Make Queer Spaces Accessible
- Disabled, Queer, Visible and Proud
- Things People With Disabilities Wish You Knew
- Living Boldly With Blindness – David Toro
- The Photographer that Captures Invisible Disabilities
Also, here are a couple of very current videos that explore Disability Justice in various contexts.
- Rayanne Banaga (Race & Disability Canada): Intersections of Race, Disability & Poverty in Canada
- Intersections of Justice: Disability, Gender, and Safety.
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From the National Church:
Laura MacGregor, member of the United Church’s former Working Group on Theologies of Disabilities—a sub-group of the Theology and Inter-Church and Inter-Faith (TICIF) committee—recently won the CBC Nonfiction Prize earlier this year. Her prize was for her short story, The Invisible Woman, where she writes about caring for her profoundly disabled son, Matthew.
December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and the United Church has made a commitment to becoming an open, accessible and barrier-free church. Read the news story about Laura as well as explore many worship and educational resources related to disability ministries on the United Church’s website.
