We are always glad to share news of ministry activities. The Power, Hope & Grace Bible Church, Detroit Michigan, Special Needs Ministry is holding its 4th annual “Celebration Sunday on March 21, 2010. This enriching event will include “Empowerment Workshops.” Click here to see the Celebration Sunday Program Brochure and the Empowerment Workshops.
Send us news about your ministry that we may share with others.
This issue welcomes the New Year with great feature articles:
Please click the link to read The Servant Winter 2010 Issue and feel free to share with others.
“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”… John 1:46NIV.
Nathanael asked this question after being told that the Messiah had been found and He is Jesus of Nazareth. Nathanael had formed an opinion beforehand that caused him ask the question without reservation. We may encounter this attitude as we seek to include persons with disabilities in the life of the church. Especially when seeking to embrace those with a cognitive or behavioral diagnoses.
A few of the synonyms used today for the word good are: beneficial, suitable, skilled, virtuous, helpful, and obedient. People who are differently enabled may not be initially perceived as having these characteristics.
As we prepare to observe Thanksgiving, Christmas and then the new year, we must not forget our mission. We have to be sure our celebration services, commemorations, pageants, and other activities are inclusive. This is certainly not a seasonal charge but an ongoing one that is particularly important this time of year.
People of all abilities may experience difficulties during this period. However, for those with disabilities, their families, and caregivers; the added pressure can be arduous.
To enrich your inclusion effort, go the CCFH Online Store for:.
Use CCFH resources to ensure that your church is inclusive and your reply will be the same as Philip’s: “Come and see,”…John 1:46 NIV
CCFH Ministries offers resources both for training disability ministry workers and strengthening the biblical knowledge and everyday life of those with cognitive challenges.
Use the publication linked to this post to supplement study groups. Go to our site www.ccfh.org and visit the Online Store for other beneficial publications. Preview Exceptional Teaching Online for the ultimate experience in disability ministry education.
Click the title to access Caring For Our Temple - Addressing Health and Wellness as a Spiritual Component for Adults with Cognitive Disabilities.
Shaun Best recently wrote to CCFH: “If my material at www.lapublishing.com/blog/2009/brain-injury-words-people/ can be used for encouragement, support, reinforcement of hope, etc., then this is the purpose I can serve for our God.”
Also read more about Shaun on his site at http://www.headtohead.org/?art=255.
Shaun, thank you for sharing.
We introduce “The Servant”, a new publication from CCFH Ministries. This newsletter replaces our Connections and PDP communications.
Let us tell you about our business office’s move to Riverwood Christian Community on September 1, 2009. The move was facilitated by the Jack Ballard Church Builders who gave their time to “build-out” our offices at no expense to CCFH.
Read our new publication. Make copies for others in your church, send to family, friends and acquaintances.
Help spread the word about CCFH Ministries and it resources that promote the inclusion of people of all abilities.
Please click this link to access: The Servant Fall 2009 Edition
Announcing a new publication entitled ”Forming a Sibling Support Group.”
This informative guide was written by Connie Hutchinson: Mom to Julie, Matt and Katie; and Director of Disabilities Ministry, First Evangelical Free Church Fullerton, California. In the introduction she writes:
“I entered the world of disabilities in 1975 when my oldest daughter Julie was born with Down syndrome. Julie’s brother Matt was born in 1977 and Katie was born in 1985. I can vividly remember while still in the hospital after Julie’s birth, claiming the verses in Psalm 139 that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made by God, according to His purpose. He knew our days before we were ever born. This truth has brought comfort, security and assurance to each member of our family over the years as we have discovered how God in his sovereignty has plans for each of us as individuals and as a family to glorify and serve Him. Since 1992, I have had the privilege of directing the disabilities ministry at the First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, CA. In this role, I have learned over the years the value of our people, regardless of our abilities and disabilities. God has shown me clearly how we all have gifts to give to strengthen the body so that we may be whole.
The purpose of this booklet is to remember the unique gifts, talents, needs and challenges faced by siblings who have a brother or sister who has a disability. This booklet was put together with input from my two grown children and a group of 15 incredible siblings between the ages of 6 and 12 who meet on the first Tuesday night of each month during the school year at First Evangelical Free Church Fullerton. This is their time once a month to share stories about their brothers and sisters, knowing that their feelings are neither right nor wrong and they are free to speak out without the fear of being judged. We laugh together, cry together, share our joys and frustrations and just have fun!”
Use the information presented as a guide to start and/or enrich your outreach to siblings.
Go to our Online store at www.ccfh.org, look under booklets, order today and be blessed.
We have updated our booklet on mental retardation. In keeping with current usage, we have changed it to intellectual disability.
The introduction to Including Students with Intellectual Disability reads:
Every person, regardless of age, sex, race, mental or physical capacity, deserves to know the love the Father has lavished upon us. We in His church have been given the responsibility of insuring that all people receive the opportunity to experience this great love. Whether teaching a young child who lives with her family and is part of the public school system or an adult living in a residential facility and working in supported employment, he/she can learn about the love of our wonderful Lord. We pray that this booklet will provide you with useful information about intellectual disability and give practical suggestions for making your teaching effective.
The terminology used in describing persons with mental retardation has changed often over the last several years. Most of the changes have been toward a kinder more sensitive word choice. Today, it is common to hear it said that a person has an intellectual disability or cognitive disability rather than using mental retardation. While the terms describe the same disability, in this booklet we will use intellectual disability. If mental retardation is used, it will be in a direct quotation from a published work. We urge people who continue to use mental retardation to do so with respect and kindness to the person and his family.
No matter what the label is, the important thing is to learn how the child is affected by the disability, how to appropriately program for him and to show the love of God to the student and the family
Helpful information about intellectual disability
• It is not a disease. It cannot be caught.
• It is not mental illness.
• It is permanent. The child will not grow out of it.
These few facts are important for you to know. Your ability to be comfortable with the child in your class who has an intellectual disability will be conveyed to the other students by your attitude, words, and deeds. Take time to explain these three facts to children in your class using words they understand. The more they understand about intellectual disability, the better equipped they are to become friends and encouragers for their new friend with an intellectual disability.
The student with an intellectual disability has the capacity to learn, to develop, and to grow. He can make a positive impact on his family, community, and your class.
The updated publication is available in our Online Store at www.ccfh.org.
The Disability Ministry Certificate program is not only for ministry professionals.
In this month’s Connections, Jennifer Narramore, a volunteer with a desire to learn as much as she can about disability ministry shares her experiences as a student in the program.
Click to read Connections July 2009.
This issue of Connections is one that you will want to share with others.
Learn more about CCFH Resources that can build your ministry’s foundation for mentoring.
Click to read Connections May 2009.