“ Sarah Always Has a Big Smile on Her Face When She is Included ”
Sarah nominated leaders at her church for the Luke 5 award - find out more at www . throughtheroof . org
We ’ re delighted to present a Luke 5 Award to Angela Yeoman and Carolyn Cast , churchwardens of Wiggenhall St Germans Parish Church , Norfolk .
They were nominated by Sarah Best , who says , “ I have Down ’ s Syndrome and severe hearing loss … as I do things slowly people don ’ t always know how to talk to me , or don ’ t know it ’ s ok to wait for me to reply before asking another question , so I overload and can ’ t reply . I felt excluded because everyone had a job , and I didn ’ t even though I wanted to help .”
What made a difference for Sarah ?
“ Angie and Carolyn asked me if there was anything I would like to do as they wanted to include me . I am the ‘ chief snuffer ’, I snuff out the candles after the service . I also read the lesson sometimes , I like to do this . I am also part of the washing up team , we have a lot of fun while doing jobs ”
Has Your Church Leader Caught the Vision for Disability Inclusion ?
“ I am happy because I am helping and I feel part of a team .”
Sarah ’ s mum Lesley says , “ Sarah enjoys being part of the life of the church . She is welcomed with enthusiasm by the church members , others have taken Angie and Carolyn ’ s lead and are very supportive . Sarah always has a big smile on her face when she is included ”
Sarah and Lesley decided to nominate Angie and Carolyn for the Luke 5 award because “ we want to say thank you publicly and also to be able to display the award so others will know we value the time and effort that is put into giving Sarah the opportunities she has been given and for future opportunities .”
To find out more about the Luke 5 Award celebrating Christian disability inclusion visit www . throughtheroof . org
Catch up on all Revd Jonathan Edwards recommendations at youtube . com / TTRChangesLives
Church leaders are busy people ! They have so many different demands on their time and lots of worthy aspects of ministry are competing for their attention .
We ’ re often asked how people can encourage their own church leaders to give disability inclusion a higher priority , so we held an online event and asked Revd Jonathan Edwards for some recommendations .
As Jonathan pointed out , many church leaders have no personal experience of disability , or connection with disabled people . These are issues that might feel scary for them – perhaps they worry that they don ’ t have the right knowledge or may say the wrong thing . Anything we can do to help church leaders to hear from or connect with disabled people is important – to help give them that personal insight and experience .
Alongside this is the importance of encouragement . Let ’ s celebrate when disability inclusion goes well in our church – and let our church leaders know what a difference this makes . Rather than criticising when things go wrong , an attitude of encouragement and awareness-raising can be more productive .
Giving practical support is important too . The role of a Roofbreaker can be crucial here , and the resources that are available from Through the Roof will help to give practical ideas for churches so that the issues feel less overwhelming .
Key to all of this is prayer . Jonathan emphasised the need for all of us to pray about this issue and to listen to God every step of the way . “ If you want your church leader to be more excited about disability inclusion , then start praying today .”
Jonathan ’ s full talk is available on our YouTube channel at www . youtube . com / TTRChangesLives If you would like more information about the resources that are available to support your church , please get in touch ! www . throughtheroof . org