Disability Professional Development

Explore how to create churches that are welcoming and inclusive of disabled people in this new course.

The diocese is offering a course for clergy and lay leaders to explore how to create churches that are welcoming and inclusive of disabled people as partners in the mission and ministry to which Christ calls us all. In spite of our best intentions, we can disempower people with our attitudes and beliefs as well as our physical environment. Our attitudes are formed by society and our own experience. We fear what we do not understand and can respond inappropriately. Disability is still quite a taboo subject which is sometimes whispered about in patronising tones. The course will offer a supportive environment to work through this journey.

The course looks at:

• attitudes and beliefs about being in our own skin
• attitudes towards disability
• Bible, theology, and disability
• practical implications for ministry units.

Coordinated by the Disability Community Chaplain, The Rev’d Vicki Terrell, with other presenters including The Rev’d Dr Mary Caygill (Minister Kaiapoi Methodist Parish); Debbie Ward (National Disability Leadership Coordinator CCS Disability Action); The Rev’d Helen Jacobi (Vicar of St Matthew-in-the-City); and The Rev’d Leo Te Kira (Priest in the Māori Anglican Diocese of Te Tairāwhiti East Coast).

Please register for the course here.