The June 1 Spell 2 Communicate initiative included another workshop intended to provide resources for both families and professionals in English and Spanish.
The diversity in the room provided a key indicator of the need for churches to work across cultures and with different professional partners. Our efforts include utilizing this new approach to create opportunities to hear the prayers of minimally and non-speaking autistic children. Part of our KC Nurturing Care initiative https://www.nts.edu/nurturing-care/#KC
One of the NTS Nurturing Care Kansas City Initiative’s resides around working with non-speaking or minimally speaking autistic children to help them express prayer. An initiative that continues this coming Sat., June 1st from 9:30 am -11:30 am, at SVN Charter School in Kansas City.
The initiative started with an information session last February 10 involving New Community Church pastor Stephanie Answer as well as Stephanie Barton a counselor and specialist with S2C or Spelling to Communicate.
In a recent update from Stephanie Answer, she reported on there first efforts with the innovative approach. She writes:
The leaders had talked during planning about how we didn’t want it to be an isolated group with only nonspeaking autistic children and so we had decided to include the siblings of the autistic children and the children of the leaders so we would have a little more of an inclusive setting, but we would use the spelling method with all children. The week of our first group session, the other 3 autistic children who had done the sessions earlier, all canceled due unforeseen situations (grandparent passed away, unexpected company in town, car broke down) My son, who is a non-speaker, participated with 3 other children – my daughter and our leaders’ 2 children. I’m actually so thankful for this situation as a parent.
It was really amazing to get to watch my son participate in a group and where we used the communication method that he uses to participate. All the children had letter boards and as we read the scripture and discussed it, we would spell together and then had a few questions they spelled to answer. It was another reminder to me that when we structure things in a way where the most vulnerable/marginalized person can participate, everyone can participate. It still works for the whole group, but the individual who usually would be unable to join, gets to be included and their method is centered, and they get to see others using their methods. It was a powerful moment.
As noted, the next information session occurs June 1 as the church continues to pilot this approach to connecting with children on the spectrum, deepening their experiences with God through prayer.
#DATC2024 closes with Reverend Lamar Hardwick preaching, as he borrows from Paul’s language in 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 as a means to speak on behalf of board of Key Ministry, and on behalf of those disabled, to give thanks for those working in disability. First for their work of “faith” or deep conviction not only or the dignity of all people, but also for the power of the story of Jesus. If Jesus would die for everybody, then there are no nobodies. Everyone is someone to Jesus.
Second, thank you for your loving deeds… or labor of love. A self-denying, sometimes suffering, and selfless love for others that have been push on the margins.
Finally thank you for your enduring hope. Paul draws from a phrase similar to confidence, or a hope that has been tested. Hardwick notes the persistent, week after week, disability ministry that has been tested.
Faithful work, loving deeds, and a hope that has been tested. A fitting testimony for those present, as Pastor Hardwick prays and blesses “these your servants” in disability ministry.
#DATC2024 panel discussion with Lamar Hardwick, Kimberly Britt, and Tait Berg, on serving in ministry leadership with a disability includes a range of responses from personal challenges both in maintaining personal boundaries but also overcoming negative perceptions. The respondents encouraged those with disability, yet called to lead, should 1) try to have a team to support them, 2) strive to be flexible in the face of challenges yet resilient in the call, and 3) to recognize that one’s disability does not stop to be the best version you can be… but does help you to avoid being the worse person you might be.
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 psychological in nature. While the DSM includes a range of indicators (a spectrum), that include both a) persistent deficits in communication and social interaction and b) restricted, repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech.
Neely, who often presents on Autism and Evangelism (see www.lorisealy.com) notes that every individual with autism is different (and changing day to day) yet a general characterization might be that of a frayed speaker wire, which can produce either perfect sound, or with a slight movement, sends nything from simple static to excruciating white noise.
#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 a person with a disability lives life in the margins or in isolation. The ministry begins by asking, Who are we? God’s Masterpiece! Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece: We are created by God. More specifically all of us are God’s special creations, His masterpieces. Each person is uniquely and beautifully created and loved by God just as they are.
God has created us anew in Christ Jesus: We are fully alive when we allow Jesus to do something new in and with our lives. All of us are made whole and complete only in Jesus.
So we can do the good things: Every person is created for a purpose. We are made whole in Jesus SO we can live into our purpose. This applies to every single one of God’s masterpieces.
God planned for us long ago: Not only do we have a purpose, but our purpose is uniquely planned for each of us by God.
Masterpiece included a narrative around a local ministry effort, while other sessions focused on everything from teaching, to behavioral guidance, to small group interaction. Quite a range of resource development at the conference.
#DATC2024 opens the second day with a sermon focused on “both” people with disability and those ministering in disability ministry by Ability Ministry Director Ryan Wolfe notes often we approach scripture thinking of Jesus as the treasure. However, what happens we realize “we” are God’s treasure? Drawing from Exodus 19:5
“Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth for all the earth belongs to me.”
Reverend Wolfe also draws from Deuteronomy 7:6 and offers us a moment to see how “special” we are and the people we minister with.
Discipleship Commons 