Category Archives: disability

Faith Communities Urged to Move Beyond Programs to Foster True Belonging

Faith leaders are being called to rethink how churches welcome individuals with autism and their families, shifting from program-based support to relationship-driven inclusion. In Nurturing Care’s Day of Learning second session, titled “Faithful Partners in Belonging,” Dr. Melody Escobar highlighted … Continue reading

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Faith Communities Welcoming Disability: Bill Tammeus Reports on Melody Escobar

Former Kansas City Religion Reporter Bill Tammeus attended the Nurturing Care Day of Learning with Melody Escobar. Tammeus, also a columnist and book reviewer with the National Catholic Press and The Presbyterian Outlook, contributes to the KC online magazine Flatland … Continue reading

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Churches Urged to Rethink Inclusion for Autistic Individuals, Families

Dr. Melody Escobar, a leading practical theologian, calls on churches across the United States to confront a troubling reality: families of children with disabilities, particularly autism, leaving congregations at alarming rates due to a lack of genuine inclusion. Speaking during … Continue reading

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An Active Discussion Session

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Dr. Melody Escobar Opens Day of Learning

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Spelling Spiritual Family Celebration

An update from Stephanie Answer

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Midwest Churches Expand Efforts to Welcome Children with Autism

Faith leaders from across the Kansas City region, including Oklahoma congregations, gathered online recently to share progress and stories from a growing initiative aimed at making churches more welcoming for children with autism and other forms of neurodiversity. The meeting … Continue reading

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