Congregational Accessibility Network

We just saw this news on Facebook, and then came this email from Tina Boverman, head of L’Arche, USA, about the death of Jean Vanier. There is both so much to ...say, and so little, for words seem inadequate to describe the quality of his life and character. For the moment, my sense is simply to reflect quietly on the treasures I found in him and the ways he embodied so much of what love can be and do. More words later, but for now, profound gratitude for the gift of his life and the ways he saw, and called forth, the gifts of so many others. Bill Gaventa, M.Div. Summer Institute on Theology and Disability, http://faithanddisability.org/projects/summer-institute/ SITD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theologydisability/ Editor: Gleanings, http://www.aaiddreligion.org/newsletter National Collaborative on Faith and Disability, http://faithanddisability.org Email: [email protected] Telephone: 732-718-5875 Summer Institute on Theology and Disability 2019: May 20-23.2019. Holland, Michigan, in collaboration with Western Theological Seminary To Register, Click Here Begin forwarded message: From: Tina Bovermann Subject: Jean Vanier Date: May 7, 2019 at 12:58:45 AM CDT To: Tina Bovermann Dear friends of L’Arche and of Jean, It is with great sadness that I share with you the news of Jean Vanier’s death. Jean died today, May 7, 2019, 90 years old and surrounded by his friends. He has lived the last days of his long and full life in a medical center in Paris, France. In his final message to the Federation, he shared: I am deeply peaceful and trustful. I’m not sure what the future will be, but God is good and whatever happens, it will be the best. Like all of you, I am intensely saddened by the loss of a gentle, generous and determined friend and mentor. Jean dedicated his life to Becoming Human, the title of one of his most well-known books. His vocation was to live in relationship with those whose humanity is still too often denied, people with intellectual disabilities. Thanks to Jean and to all of you, L’Arche has grown into a worldwide movement dedicated to building relationships across differences. You receive this email, because, here in the U.S., you have been and are the people to whom Jean entrusted his legacy. Whether you have served L’Arche as a founder of a community or in leadership, whether you are or have been an employee, whether you are a friend or a volunteer, a board member or a partner, whether you have known Jean personally or have identified with his message of peace, dignity and diversity, you have defined what L’Arche is today. You are the heirs of Jean Vanier’s work. Au revoir, Jean! May you rest in peace. May we continue to honor the sacredness and unique value of every individual as we carry on your mission.In union with you and our brothers and sisters across the world. Tina Bovermann Tina Bovermann National Leader / Executive Director Cell: 404.514.1824 Email: [email protected] Location: Atlanta, GA, USA National Office: 310 SW 4th Ave, Ste. 840 Portland, OR 97204 Phone: 503.282.6231 Web: larcheusa.org

Best wishes to Thomas Boehm and Wheaton!

Wonderful introduction to L'Arche.

DISABILITY IN AFRICA: RELIGIOUS, ETHICAL & HEALING RESPONSES, to and by People with Disabilities, Deafness, or Mental Debility: a bibliography through four mill...ennia, with introduction and partial annotation. www.independentliving.org//mmiles-disability-africa-biblio M. Miles, with C. Miles, West Midlands, UK ABSTRACT This work introduces and partly annotates more than 1200 items indicating religious, ethical, healing and spiritual responses toward or by people with disabilities, deafness, or mental disorder or debility. Materials are found in the social, legal, medical, educational, literary, ethical, psychological, religious and anthropological histories, cultural heritage and current lives and practices in most countries of Africa, from antiquity to the 2010s. They are mainly in English (80%), with French (15%), some Arabic, German, and Dutch (with Afrikaans and Flemish), and a sprinkling of Ashanti, Coptic, Greek, Hausa, Latin, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Setswana, Spanish, Swahili, Xhosa, Yoruba, Zulu... The Introduction shows that this is more than a dry record of textual materials. Responses have been made to and by disabled and vulnerable people, in both traditional and modern ways, across the vast wealth of African history and culture. Among the authors, more than a hundred voices of disabled people are identified and heard. --- Here is a tool with which to map and grasp the dimensions and diversity. The richness of compassionate and innovative human behaviour in many of the world's economically weaker countries can become a surrogate indicator of global progress toward peace-building and more humane resource distribution. This should be shared with the rest of humanity in the 21st century. Massive problems confront us all: war, injustice, disinformation and political turbulence, resettlement of refugees, battles for water and resources amidst climate change and resurgence of disease. These threats and disasters are unlikely to be solved unless there is an increase in wisdom and mutual respect among all the major civilisations. It requires a recognition that the poorest and apparently weakest nations and peoples have valuable, documented experience, and may offer wisdom, to contribute toward peace-building and the common good.

Wonderful opinion piece. Her son finds his place on a kibbutz in Israel.

Prophetic words in the Spirit of Christ, but hard for many Americans to hear!

The August blog entry from Congregational Accessibility Network looks at child protection issues in faith communities, particularly related to disabilities. Scroll to the end of post to subscribe to the full monthly newsletter.

A time to remember the beginning of ADA and the denominational disabilities advocates who challenged the church to fully include persons with disabilities.