Comments on: Theology and Down Syndrome: Reimagining Disability http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/theology-and-down-syndrome-reimagining-disability/ Serving the joyful cultivation of the theological craft for the life of the church: inquiring honestly, deliberating wisely, acting faithfully Wed, 15 May 2013 06:00:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: joseph http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/theology-and-down-syndrome-reimagining-disability/#comment-20161 Thu, 20 May 2010 01:30:22 +0000 http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-20161 For those of you wanting to see a church that has a 50/50 attendance of disabled people and non-disabled people visit the Abilities Church. 2 of the 4 pastors have disabilities and one appears to have an intellectual disability too. However, we do not focus on disability but on GODS call as being more important than what a person can do. After all only GOD can make a ministry succeed and is not dependant on what you or I can or can not do. Anyways visit it and be amazed at how GOD is moving in the midst of people within a church that was planted to do what you are all just talking about. I hope its not the only one but it may very well be.

http://www.abiltieschurch.org

]]> By: joseph http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/theology-and-down-syndrome-reimagining-disability/#comment-20160 Thu, 20 May 2010 01:26:45 +0000 http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-20160 Hey, I realize I am a couple of years late in response but I am a pastor of a fully inclusive church in Toronto Canada. Our church is only a few months old but already we have chapter in 5 other locations. Our idea is that people with disabilities need to be inlcuded within every aspect of church life and ministry. We are working on developing a ministry program that would allow people down syndrom to take on ministry opportunities with the aid of the larger community. Inclusion can happen, and I invite you to visit our website.

PASTOR JOSEPH

]]> By: Divia http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/theology-and-down-syndrome-reimagining-disability/#comment-19822 Thu, 06 May 2010 06:38:06 +0000 http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-19822 Kent, it has been very inspiring to read everyone’s comments on theology and the church and its potential influence in the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. I am currently completing my honours project in Australia on Spirituality and Down syndrome, more specifically, the role of spirituality and organised religion as a support system for parents of children with Down syndrome. I was hoping that with your background and knowledge would you be able to refer me to literature relevant to my study as there is a huge paucity of research in this area and I am really struggling.
Thanks
Divia

]]> By: Top posts from our first year « Theology Forum http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/theology-and-down-syndrome-reimagining-disability/#comment-3755 Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:11:49 +0000 http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-3755 [...] Theology and Down Syndrome: Reimagining Disability [...]

]]> By: Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality « Theology Forum http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/theology-and-down-syndrome-reimagining-disability/#comment-3344 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:58:18 +0000 http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-3344 [...] A Guest Review by Elizabeth Lynch [...]

]]> By: slowlane http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/theology-and-down-syndrome-reimagining-disability/#comment-1124 Tue, 20 May 2008 21:53:12 +0000 http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-1124 Friendship Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI, is doing a good work.

]]> By: Audrey http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/theology-and-down-syndrome-reimagining-disability/#comment-1121 Tue, 20 May 2008 03:33:39 +0000 http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-1121 This book looks fascinating…and would be a valuable resource for some of our congregational leaders to take a look at. I’ll certainly check it out. The book Abby mentioned was just mentioned as part of a new dialogue on religion and disability on the “Barriers, Bridges and Books” blog (http://bbandbohmy.blogspot.com/). Apparently, this is part of something called a “blog carnival” focused on faith and disability.

]]> By: Julana http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/theology-and-down-syndrome-reimagining-disability/#comment-1119 Mon, 19 May 2008 23:43:02 +0000 http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-1119 I appreciate this discussion. Having a child with Down syndrome and realizing the church’s limitations in allowing participation has been one of the sadder experiences of my life.

]]> By: Kent Eilers http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/theology-and-down-syndrome-reimagining-disability/#comment-545 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 15:32:59 +0000 http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-545 Ana,

Thank you for appropriately reminding us of our real involvement with people who are physically, emotionally, or mentally disabled – that the emotional and relational traffic runs both directions, not just one. Having spent a great deal of time with such special people, I know that first hand. Perhaps with your reminder always in mind, those commissioned to shepherd the people of God will more effectively fulfill the responsibilities Earl is indicating.

Thank you for your comments.

]]> By: Ana Voog http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/theology-and-down-syndrome-reimagining-disability/#comment-536 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 04:12:39 +0000 http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-536 thank you for the review of this book. i am going to check it out

to answer earl, in brief, (his question: “how do you think we can go about empowering them to bring about the Kingdom of God with the rest of us”),

i think the answer lies not in what you can do to empower people with DS, but opening up your heart/mind to see/know/feel how people with DS can empower YOU
so switch that around there! : )

THIS will bring about the “kingdom of god” in both parties simultaneously

i don’t think much is going to happen in regards to inclusion until people realize what gifts people with DS have to offer them, not the other way around : )

fyi, i have a daughter with DS. she is 7 months old. her name is lili. she is joy!

cheers,

ana

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