Empower. Advocate. Educate.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES FROM THE DISABILITY MINISTRIES TASK FORCE OF THE SUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE
Our History
On January 18 2019, the Susquehanna Conference established a Disabilities Ministries Task Force. The task force comes under the umbrella of Inclusiveness and Connecting Ministries. We also work in close connection with DisAbility Ministries Committee of the United Methodist Church (Check out their website for even more great resources!)
We also work in close partnership with the Mental Health Task Force of the Susquehanna Conference (Rev. Evelyn Madison, Chair) and Child Advocacy (Rev. Ed Zeiders, Chair).
Concern for people with disabilities is rooted in our Biblical call as Christians as well as in the church polity of the United Methodist Church.
The Book of Discipline 2016, ¶653, states, “There shall be in each annual conference a committee on disability concerns or other structure to provide for the functions of this ministry and maintain the connectional relationship.” It also states that, “The basic membership of the committee shall be nominated and elected by established procedures of the respective annual conference. Each annual conference shall determine the number and composition of the total membership.”
The Social Principles of the United Methodist Church state that, “We recognize and affirm the full humanity and personhood of all individuals with mental, physical, developmental, neurological, and psychological conditions or disabilities as full members of the family of God (¶162I).”
The Social Principles also affirms that people with disabilities have a “rightful place in both the Church and society,” and the need for the church to be in ministry with “children, youth, and adults,” who have “mental, physical, developmental, and/or psychological and neurological conditions,” or other disabilities that might make it more challenging for them to participate “in the life of the Church and the community.”
Furthermore, The Social Principles urges the church, “to recognize and receive the gifts of persons with disabilities to enable them to be full participants in the community of faith.”
Our Mission
Our Mission is to lead the Susquehanna Conference in creating a culture where people with disabilities are fully included in all aspects of worship, leadership, ministry, and mission. We will work to advocate for the needs of people with disabilities, empower people with disabilities, and educate members of our churches and communities about issues related to disabilities and disability awareness.
Our Members
The Members of the Disabilities Ministries Task Force:
What We Have Accomplished in the Last Year (2021 until Spring 2022)
Where Do I Begin?
If you are looking for easy ways to make your church more accessible, we recommend the article, “16 Easy the Church Can Be More Accessible to People with Disabilities.” This article was written by the chair of our task force and can be found for free on her website.
You can also find an abundance of great resources at the website for the DisAbility Ministries of the United Methodist Church.
Are you a clergy person with a disability? We encourage you to view the work of The United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities and to consider joining our caucus.
Serve With Us
Is God calling you to serve on the Disabilities Ministries Task Force? We are especially looking for laity to serve with us. If you are interested in joining the Task Force, please contact Rev. Rebecca Holland through the contact form on this website. You can also contact us for questions or other inquiries. We would love to hear from you!
Sincerely,
Rev. Rebecca L. Holland
Disability Ministries Task Force, Chair
