WISE and access for all

Genesis 1:27 Created in the image of God

27 “ So God created humankind in God’s own image,

    in the image of God they were created;

    male and female they were created.”

WHEREAS God created humanity in the Divine image , (including persons with disabilities and

all the rest of humanity. and) WHEREAS Corinthians 12:12-27 the church is the body of Christ

made up of many parts including those who have disabilities, and

WHEREAS medical and scientific advances continue to reduce the death rate from infections,

injuries, and other conditions, and more people survive to continue life with some disability and

close to twenty percent of the US population identify themselves as having some level of

disability, and over the age of eighty the percentage is much higher, so that all members of

United Church of Christ congregations will be touched by a disability in some way at some time

in their lives, and as we age we all will have some disability (those without disability now are

only temporarily able bodied), and

WHEREAS the overwhelming majority of people with disabilities want to exercise choice in

where and how they live, work, play, worship and serve, and

WHEREAS implementing the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 calls upon the

church to take specific measures within each ministry of the church, and

WHEREAS the 25 th United Church of Christ Synod states that the conference become accessible

to all, and out of 5000 churches in the UCC only 11 are accessible to all, and

WHEREAS Matthew 25: 35-40 35  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was

thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36  I needed

clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to

visit me.’

37  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or

thirsty and give you something to drink? 38  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or

needing clothes and clothe you?  39  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers

and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ , and

WHEREAS we strive to show radical hospitality and that ALL are welcome here: Being

Accessible to All is proof of that all are welcome here, and

WHEREAS disabled people don’t require a cure, they request healing, which is integration in the

world.

WHERAS, Robbinsdale United Church of Christ acknowledges the uniqueness of every

congregation, and urges that this community consider a progression of ministry and concern

not only “to” or “for” people with disabilities but also ministry “with” and “by” people with

disabilities.

WHERAS, Robbinsdale United Church of Christ is aware that individuals who have lived with

disability for some time say the real limitations to living, moving about, working and relating to

others are not their particular impairments but the barriers they encounter in the social and

physical environment.

WHERAS, Recognizing that discrimination against people with disabilities is complex, pervasive,

and sometimes well-intentioned, and remembering that the United Church of Christ seeks to be

multicultural, multiracial, open and affirming and accessible to all, Robbinsdale United Church

of Christ urges this congregation to develop both short-range and long-term accessibility and

inclusion plans.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by Robbinsdale United Church of Christ, that this congregation will

embody the philosophy of inclusion and interdependence, embark on study and reflection

activities about disabilities, disabilities rights, and ways congregations are able to become

accessible to all (A2A), remove or overcome barriers to welcoming and including all people in

the work and witness of the United Church of Christ, and to support and implement provisions

of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Robbinsdale United Church of Christ will engage in

some or all of the following activities:

a) Join the Accessible Congregations Campaign of the National Organization on Disability;.

b) Continue to make improvements in Robbinsdale United Church of Christ building and

facilities to achieve full physical accessibility;

c) Seek out and befriend mentors in the disabilities community, keeping in mind the slogan,

“Nothing about us without us;”

d) Consider ways to invite/include people with disabilities to participate in and lead worship

services and other programming. This may involve hiring professional support or acquiring

specialized technology;

e. Create a covenant concerning individuals with disabilities

f. Develop annual budget so that persons with disabilities are honored (e.g., contributions to

the A2A fund and/or other examples of financial support/commitment);

g. Look for and participate in grassroots-level Witnessing and Justice opportunities twice a year;

to end discrimination against persons with disabilities, including but not limited to social,

economic and policy-related discrimination;

h. Raise awareness, catalyze and persist in open dialogue of persons with disabilities and the

issues and challenges they face;

i. Develop a strategic plan for addressing disability-related issues and challenges, with one,

three and five-year goals and objectives;