Disciples News Service Release

 Title: Disciples launch welcome campaign to persons with disabilities
 December 18, 1996
 Disciples News Service
 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
 Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
 
     

     96b-102
     

         WASHINGTON, D.C. (DNS) -- The Christian Church (Disciples of 
Christ), Dec. 12,launched a major campaign to support local churches 
in welcoming people with disabilities into full participation and 
ministry.

      Six area churches were presented the first of more than 3,500
copies of the handbook, "That All  May Worship: An Interfaith Welcome 
to People with Disabilities, " that will be made available
to Disciples congregations across North America in the next few weeks. 
     

         Distribution of "That All May Worship" is the first step in an 
ongoing priority of the Board of Church Extension (BCE) of the Disciples 
of Christ to help congregations strengthen their programs and facilities 
as they meet the growing needs of all their members.  
     

     "We are here as partners to support your congregations in making the 
house of God even more welcoming to those with disabilities, " noted BCE 
President James  L. Powell, Indianapolis, during one of the presentations 
at National City Christian Church.
     

    "Today there are more than 49 million Americans with a physical, 
sensory or mental disability.  A growing number are members of our 
congregations, a fact we hear regularly as we consult with our 
churches about their increased need for program access and leadership
opportunities.  This handbook is simply a first step toward our common 
goal to provide people with disabilities an opportunity to share their 
gifts with the church."
 

     Also participating in the presentations was the handbook 
co-author, Ginny Thornburgh,director, Religion and Disability Program, 
National Organization on Disability, Washington, D.C.
     

   "The Disciples are to be applauded for this major effort to help 
all of its churches move even further in supporting members and visitors 
with disabilities," Thornburgh said. "This is the first denomination 
to provide such a resource to every church, providing a challenge and 
witness to the rest of us."
     

    Barbara George, speaking on behalf of the Rev. Joan Brown Campbell, 
general secretary, National Council of Churches, New York, N.Y.,  
commended the churches for their commitment to a full life of faith 
for children and adults with disabilities. "Dr. Campbell's fervent 
hope is that every church will read and follow the wise and warm 
suggestions contained in  That All May Worship,'" said George.  
    

   "We in the church realize that attitudes toward others can 
provide barriers as limiting as physical barriers.  We are 
thankful that you and a growing number of other church leaders are 
willing to address this need in an affirming and sensitive manner," 
George added.
     

  Churches receiving first copies of the handbook from Powell, 
Thornburgh and George included Bethany Christian Church and 
Henson Valley Christian Church, both of Fort Washington,
Md.  Representatives of National City Christian Church, 
Washington, D.C., and North Chevy Chase(Md.) Christian Church 
also accepted copies.
     

   Presentations also were made to leaders at University Christian 
Church, Hyattsville, Md., and First Christian Church, Falls Church, 
Va.
     

   Funding for the handbook distribution was provided by the Oreon 
E. Scott Foundation,Indianapolis, an organization supporting special 
projects within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
     

   The National Organization on Disability, located in Washington, 
D.C., promotes the acceptance and full participation in all aspects 
of life of America's men, women and children with disabilities. It 
is the only national disability organization concerned with all 
disabilities, all age-groups and all disability issues.
     

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