Category Archives: Nurturing Care

Actually Autistic Autism

Posted on May 3, 2024 by Dean G. Blevins

Minister and musician Lori Sealy providing a #DATC2024 workshop “Actually Autistic Autism 101” drawing from her personal experience and her child’s journey. Sealy begins by defining autism as a neurodevelopmental disorder, where the “root” is neurological, while the “fruit” proves … Continue reading →

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DATC#2024 Sessions resume including Masterpiece Alliance

Posted on May 3, 2024 by Dean G. Blevins

#DATC2024 breakout sessions continue including the story of Masterpiece Alliance, a local ministry which partners with Young Life’s Capernum ministry, designed to create community for disability ministry after age 18 so that no person with a disability or family of … Continue reading →

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Flourishing Together

Posted on May 2, 2024 by Dean G. Blevins

Final #DATC2024 presentation today comes from Dr. Erik Carter, Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, and collaborator with “With Ministries” addressing the topic Flourishing Together: moving from inclusion and embrace. Carter notes ministry has changed over the years from exclusion to … Continue reading →

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Creating Belonging

Posted on May 2, 2024 by Dean G. Blevins

Cynthia Pounds presenting a #DATC2024 session on creative solutions to create belonging in the Church. Pounds notes that belonging rests around three key emphases: focusing on first impressions (will people feel valued as they enter?), Attitudes (what are we assuming … Continue reading →

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Creating Inclusive Places for Play

Posted on May 2, 2024 by Dean G. Blevins

#DATC2024 second breakout session on creating inclusive spaces for play with Donna McCrary and Beth Jones. The session opens noting that stories are what make up a child’s life. Their unique story begins with the story of their birth. Eventually, … Continue reading →

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Neurodiversity

Posted on May 2, 2024 by Dean G. Blevins

#DATC2024 first breakout sessions include full rooms. I am in the session on Reaching and Teaching Our Neurodiverse Kingdom with Aimée Stork, M.Ed. Sr. Manager of Online Education with Joni and Friends. Stork notes right away that many of us … Continue reading →

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Not Alone

Posted on May 2, 2024 by Dean G. Blevins

“The ministry we are called to is often a lonely call because it is not often a recognized call” yet, like Elijah in 1 Kings 18,… we are not alone. #DATC2024

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