The NTS Nurturing Care/Kansas City Initiative celebrated its first Day of Learning with Dr. Léon Van Ommen, Senior Lecturer, Department of Divinity and Religious Studies, University of Aberdeen and co-Director of the Centre for Autism and Theology. His presentations addressed both the social and theological considerations, particularly The Absence and Ignoring of Autistic People in Church: Availability as a Liturgical-Theological Response and Non- and Minimally-Speaking Autistic People in Church. Dr. van Ommen’s presentations expressed his research in Britain and Singapore but also reflected his continued interest in learning in and through ministries who make a difference with autistic people.

The engagement actually began on Sunday when van Ommen visited Church of the Resurrection whose disability ministry, Matthew’s Ministry, began in 1994. That ministry, originally under the leadership of Anne and Jerry Joyner, but now under the capable leadership of Marna Terblanche, a Nurturing Care participant.

Matthew’s ministry incorporates a large array of ministries from Angel Care Support for children in classrooms and sensory rooms, to Sunday youth and adult fellowship groups, family night out respites, handbell choir, drama clup and the well know Sonflower adult learning program and bakery. van Ommen was able to engage in leadership and gain a understanding of the range of ministry opportunities evident. This experience provided a stronger context for his presentations on Monday. We are thankful for a research scholar open and ready to engage participants in our initiative. For more information see Nurturing Care KC