United Methodist Committee on Disability
Ministries – The Voice - Volume 3, Number 5 – Fall 2013
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In This Issue:
Deaf Mission Trip to Kenya
Disability Program of the Methodist
Church in Kenya
EDAN Conference on Women with Disabilities
and Violence
Disability Ministries in Asia
Upcoming Events
Resources
Quick Links
UM Committee on DisAbility Ministries
UM Association of Ministers with
Disabilities
UM Committee on Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Ministries
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Newsletter Archives
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Greetings in Christ!
This month I am excited to introduce you
to some of the Methodists involved in disability ministry globally who have
crossed our path this year. They have
taught us to question our Western assumptions, and shown us new ways of doing
ministry. We are eager to form
partnerships, but want to make sure that whatever evolves follows best practice
standards of being led by the people in that country, being sustainable, and
involving mutual and ongoing relationships based on strengths and assets.
Mission trips are but one way of reaching out, and should be planned very
deliberately if an invitation is forthcoming. Refer to the mission resources
below if you are even thinking of forming a mission team.
Lessons learned from our new friends
include the realization that self-funded and self-sustaining disability
ministry is possible, even in countries such as Vietnam where resources are
limited. We discovered there are alternatives
to bringing donated wheelchairs and carts from the West, as countries like
Kenya do a great job of manufacturing a variety of styles suited to local
conditions. We also found that annual
conferences in other countries take seriously the charge to have a Disability
Concerns committee, and that these committees effectively use their local
resources to address many different needs. We have much to learn from our
majority world neighbors!
Lynn Swedberg, Editor
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Deaf Mission Trip to Kenya Strengthens
Partnerships
Since 1997 Carol Stevens has led six
mission teams to Kenya with a focus on contributing to the education of Deaf
children there. This summer a group of 16 persons from the US joined two from
Zimbabwe to provide resources and support to Meru area Methodist- Deaf
Methodist Mission team at equator in Kenya sponsored schools for children who
are Deaf or have disabilities. At least half of the team members had been on
previous trips so could build on relationships and knowledge from earlier visits.
They were pleased to note many improvements in the schools, some of which
school staff attributed to what they had learned during prior team visits.
Rev. Dr. Tom Hudspeth, the Deaf and Hard
of Hearing consultant for UMCOR Health, co-led the United Methodist Congress of
the Deaf sponsored trip. Deaf team members became role models for children who
haven't seen many educated Deaf adults, and were very popular with the
students. Others team members included interpreters and pastors who have served
Deaf churches. While some Deaf and hard of hearing team members taught new
methods in Deaf education, others led
Kirk teaching a Njia teacher new techniques vacation Bible School
activities to free the teachers to attend the training.
Pupils come to the Methodist boarding
schools from all over Kenya due to the shortage of Deaf schools and the
reputation of the Njia and Kaaga Schools, whose graduates place high on
national exams. Parents are responsible to pay for uniforms as well as minimum
room and board costs, which are more than many families can afford. The state
pays the teachers' salaries, but many other needs must be met by donations. The
US team brought and purchased special education materials and school supplies.
Money donated by US supporters enabled the team to fund washing machines for
three schools, sparing the housemothers the tedious job of washing basins and
buckets are the laundry facilities all laundry, including bedding, by hand.
Beds and dining room furniture were purchased for one school. All funding
decisions were made by the whole team based on members' observations and input
from the school leaders.
A small team visited schools for children
with disabilities and explored resources currently in place. They visited Kenya
Methodist University to learn about medical and education programs, Maua
Hospital to learn about healthcare, and the Association for the Physically
Disabled of Kenya (APDK) to learn about rehabilitation and other services
available. They were impressed with a APDK program Team member and disability
coordinator stand by hand pedaled 3 wheeled wheelchair employing people with
disabilities to manufacture low-cost but sturdy wheelchairs. Their hope was to
make connections that could lead to future partnerships and possibly
disability-focused Volunteers in Mission trips.
Team members attended the Third Global
Methodist Mission Conference of the Deaf during the second week in Kenya. Refer
to a recent UMCOR article or the conference website for more details about the
conference.
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The Disability Programme of the Methodist
Church in Kenya
Those attending the World Deaf Missions
Conference in Nairobi were grateful for the time and energy invested by the
conference planning committee, which included representatives from the
Methodist Church in Kenya.
Alice Munala serves as national
Disability Programme coordinator for the Kenya Methodist church. Her scope is Alice seated in her office,
laughing wide, as she provides disability awareness training for churches and
clergy but also helps ensure that needs of individuals with disabilities are
met. For instance, she helps persons to
sign up for government assistance and receive devices such as a prosthesis or
wheelchair. She knows that others may be
eligible for a small business start-up loan or subsidies for extra costs for
their college education. She finds
placements for children with disabilities who cannot be accommodated in local
schools. Alice also works with the Disability Community Centre in Maua, a
community-based rehabilitation project affiliated with Maua Methodist Hospital.
The fact that some bishops serve as
Disability Committee chairs may be one reason that the Kenya church has such
good compliance with establishing and maintaining active synod (conference)
committees. Kenya has ten synods, which
would be called conferences in the US, as well as one each in Uganda and
Tanzania. Bishop Samuel smiling Rev.
Samuel Kathia, bishop and Disability Committee chair of the Nairobi synod,
served on the Deaf conference planning group and participated actively in the
conference. The Kenya church expects every synod and church to celebrate
Disability Awareness Sunday, and to contribute to the national office from the
offering taken. They encourage churches
to involve persons with disabilities in preaching, ushering, offering prayers,
and other parts of the service so they are seen as role models.
One person can make a difference in
changing attitudes in a whole country. Alice and Samuel credit Paul Lindoewood,
a Methodist layman from Wales who lived in Kenya for nine years, with
establishing the Kenya Methodist Disability Programme in 1997. Paul used a wheelchair to get around, and his
presence led to awareness and accessibility modifications in places like the
popular Methodist Guest House where the Deaf Conference took place. He also challenged the churches and conferences
to start disability committees and helped them understand their potential
roles.
Societal attitudes faced by the churches
are complex. Kenya has a well-developed theology of disability, though as in
many other countries awareness of the concepts may not be widespread. See the
Resource section for a book that introduces African disability theology. Kenyan
law is supportive of persons with disabilities, yet some rural parents still
believe that disabilities are caused by witchcraft or unfaithfulness, and see
no need to educate children who have disabilities. The Persons with Disabilities Act of 2003 is
similar to but broader than the Americans with Disabilities Act. The law
requires, among other things, that television news, including lengthy coverage
election returns, and educational programs have captioning or sign language
interpretation. Because many Deaf Kenyans do not read English fluently,
interpreters are consistently provided. Kenyan law also ensures that there are
members of Parliament who have and represent others with disabilities.
Another Methodist resource is Kenya
Methodist University, a new university serving over Disability team members
with Vice Chancellor and special education teacher from Kenya Methodist
University 9000 students in nine campuses and community centers. The main
campus in Meru is very interested in partnering with persons and teams who come
to Kenya, and can help set up programs and projects based on their wide network
of contacts. The university offers medical and special education training, and
is continually adding new programs.
Contact Gitonga M'Mbijjewe for more information.
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Ecumenical Conference on Women with
Disabilities and Violence in South Africa
After attending the ecumenical conference
on "God of life, lead us to justice and peace: A reflection on violence
against women with disabilities," the Rev. Kathy Reeves is determined to
help the church make Kathy Reeves looking thoughtful a difference. Kathy, the
former GBGM Executive Secretary whose portfolio included disability ministry,
is a legally blind pastor from the Northern Illinois Conference. She currently serves as Coordinator for
Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (EDAN) North America, a program of the
World Council of Churches.
Hosted by a shelter for women who are
escaping domestic violence in Johannesburg, South Africa, the conference
brought together women with disabilities from several African countries as well
as some from Western countries.
Participants included women who had lived at the shelter. As the women
shared their stories, Kathy noted that it is difficult for women who are
already marginalized in their cultures to find their voice and act to stop
perpetrators of abuse. Although the stories were horrific, Kathy found hope in
the women being able to name their difficulties as they realized that if they
don't tell the stories no one will speak for them and no one will know.
The conference aimed to develop
strategies to empower women and develop advocates who will lift up these
concerns that the world is so willing to ignore. Kathy indicated that there is
very little research of the extent of violence against women and children with
disabilities in the US or elsewhere, though the studies that have been done
indicate a much higher prevalence than in the general population. She isn't
aware of many programs, secular or faith-based, in any country which
specifically target these women and children who are doubly vulnerable. Participants at the EDAN conference, some
with canes and wheelchairs
Kathy calls on the church to ask
questions, to learn to the signs of abuse, and to be a sanctuary for people who
have experienced abuse. The next step is to identify or develop resources and
programs and to take the lead in developing support services. The church can
help women with disabilities find their place and voice in the community
through education and opportunities to earn a living. In addition, more
research is needed, especially in the African context.
Outcomes of the conference include
publishing a book on the concerns of women with disabilities and developing a
strategic plan for an EDAN structure to empower women with disabilities. For
more information and to get involved contact Kathy Reeves through e-mail, and
refer to articles at about the conference at UMCOR and EDAN.
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Disability Ministries in Asia
Vietnam The Chien An Disabled Adults
Ministry in Vietnam's Mekong Delta is a self-sustaining craft production
facility and community started by local United Methodist participants seated at
a table working on crafts ministers.
According to Dr. David Watson, who recently visited the program, the
ministry receives no outside support.
Instead, they have "utter reliance that God will provide what is
needed to change minds and lives and help people see what needs to be done in
the name of Christ."
Participants make inlaid wooden crafts
that are sold in town, and raise tropical fish for sale. They live together, dormitory style, and
worship together. Living in a country that doesn't have many economic
opportunities for people with disabilities, they are thankful for the chance to
work. The two pastors who established
the ministry and their families also live on the farm. For more information and
to see a video about the program see the West Ohio Annual Conference website.
The Philippines Rev. Meliton Artemio of
the Northwest Philippines Annual Conference recently reached out to the
Committee to explore partnership with us. Mel serves as chair close up of Mel
for his conference Disability Concerns committee, and is active in regional
organizations of persons with disabilities. His committee works with local churches
to identify and educate persons with disabilities so they can register with the
government to be eligible for services, and understand their legal rights and
privileges. The committee also is training churches on disability rights and on
interacting appropriately with persons with disabilities. A big concern is lack
of work for persons with disabilities, so the committee will conduct seminars
on livelihood activities. The conference aims to have Disability Concerns
coordinators in every district and local church. Mel shared with us the
PowerPoint summary of the work of the committee that he presented at this
year's annual conference. Contact the committee e-mail for more information.
Sri Lanka Sensitized because his son is
Deaf, Rev. Samuel Gnanarajah challenged the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka to
address the needs of persons with disabilities. The result was Deaf Link, an
organization of the Methodist Church Sri Lanka that provides a variety of close
up of Samuel services in several communities for children and adults who are
Deaf or have disabilities.
Activities are organized in four areas:
education, employment and vocational training, empowerment, and entertainment,
or the four E's. Education is a priority because enrollment by children with
disabilities lags far behind that of other children in the country. Services
include community-based day care centers, inclusive education units in primary
schools, and instruction in sign language and computer skills for Deaf children
and adults. Teaching is difficult as there is no recognized indigenous
Sinhalese sign language and public schools continue to use the oral method.
In a partnership with the non-profit CBM,
vocational programs for school drop-outs and displaced youth teach tailoring,
food processing, farming, leatherwork, and other marketable skills in four
different communities. Leadership training is offered along with courses for
special education teachers. Other programs are day camps for children with
disabilities and their parents, sports events, celebrations, and gifts given to
Deaf children and adults at holidays. For the past eight years a Korean pastor
has served the Deaf Methodist church, which meets a need for worship and
fellowship among adults who cannot follow an oral service. Samuel presenting at Deaf conference
Stigma is a barrier to integration in the
community. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Deaf Link, the program made a
video, "We are Deaf not Dumb," to help decrease prejudice. The video
was a hit when Samuel shared it at the recent World Deaf Methodist mission
conference in Kenya. A copy of his full slide presentation is available online.
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Upcoming Events:
Jan 15, 2014 Creating Hope: The Power of Faith
Communities in Mental Health Recovery
Chicago, IL
This workshop shares first person
accounts, local church models, and best practices for incorporating
companionship to support persons living with mental illness. Sponsored by Pathways to Promise: Interfaith
Ministry and Mental Illness. Speakers include Nanette Larson and Craig
Rennebohm. To register or learn more
check the Pathways brochure.
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Feb 6-8, 2014 Walking Together: Christian
Communities and Faithful Responses to Mental Illness Houston, TX
An international panel of speakers will
present on the place of the church and society in addressing mental health
throughout history, then lead a discussion on how the past can transform the
future by helping re-imagine possibilities for how a community can provide
healing and support. Read the program
and register at the Reimagining Life Together website. Sponsored by Duke Divinity School, the Hope &
Healing Center, and other partners.
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May 8-9, 2014 The Fullness of Christ: A Church for
All People
Tipp City, OH
Featuring Marva J. Dawn, William C.
"Bill" Gaventa, Barbara J. Newman, Jeremy Schipper, and Mike
Slaughter, with additional break out sessions to help equip clergy and laity to
be faithful in ministry with people with disabilities.
Sponsored by United Theological Seminary.
For more information contact Laura Weber.
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June 16-20, 2014 Summer Institute on Theology and Disability
Dallas, TX
Save the date! More information to follow here and at the
Bethesda Institute website where you can also view presentations from prior
years.
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Resources:
Web Resources
Disability and Development: Learning from
action and research on disability in the majority world, Emma Stone, ed.
(1999). The entire book is available to
download from the Centre for Disability Studies, University of Leeds.
DOOR International - Program that
translates the Bible into indigenous sign language. Some US Deaf mission team
members visited the Africa center in Nairobi.
"Preparing for the Journey: A
Devotional Guide for Teams," by R.G. Lyons, 26 page booklet available
through SE Jurisdiction UMVIM.
"Short term missions for long-term
partnership," by Daniel Rickett, 6 page document with practical tips for
mission trips.
"The 7 Standards," Standards of
Excellence in Short Term Missions, SOE.
When Helping Hurts, a community of people
who take an assets-based approach toward healing the poverty in all of us. The Chalmers Center.
"Why Most Mission Trips are a Waste
of Time (and how to make sure yours isn't)" by Noel Becchetti, Center for
Student Missions.
Disability, Society, and Theology: Voices
from Africa, Samuel Kabue, Esther Momba, Joseph Galgalo, and C.B. Peter, eds.
(2011), Limuru, Kenya: Zapf Chancery, available through Amazon or African Books
Collective.
Serving with Eyes Wide Open: Doing
Short-term Missions with Cultural Intelligence, by David A. Livermore (2nd
edition, 2013), Grand Rapids: Baker Books.
When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate
Poverty without Hurting the Poor and Yourself, by Steven Corbett and Brian
Fikkert (2nd edition, 2012), Chicago: Moody Publishers.
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Don' t forget that on December 3rd,
Giving Tuesday, your gift to Disability Ministries will be doubled! Click on the link above to donate.
We would love to hear about more
disability ministries from Pan-Methodist churches around the world, in the hope
that we can network and strengthen each other.
Please let us know about programs, agencies, and events that empower
persons with disabilities to participate fully in life in their respective
countries.
Remember to spread the word about our
work by using the "Forward email" tool below so that your friends and
colleagues can read and subscribe to the newsletter.
May you have a blessed Advent and Christmas,
as God continues to show us signs of new birth in our midst.
Peace,
United Methodist Committee on DisAbility
Ministries
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United Methodist Committee on DisAbility
Ministries
c/o UMCOR Health, GBGM
475 Riverside Avenue, Room 1520
New York, NY 10115 United States
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