Access for All God's Children
About
Access for all God’s Children is a team of laypersons and clergy of The Diocese of West Missouri living with disabilities. Our mission is to assist the local church in building awareness and dignified regard for the “differently abled” among us. We do this by building a network of mutual concern and friendship, educating our diocesan community about access, arranging for social, spiritual, and informational gatherings, and praying and giving thanks continually.
Seen and unseen. All manner of human disability is present in our communities. For those living with disabilities, barriers to participation and inclusion are everywhere. We believe these obstacles can be identified and overcome through cooperation and creativity. We see each of us playing a role in making our congregations welcoming and accessible.
We offer this page as a resource for individuals, congregations, leaders, and clergy seeking ways to make worship, ministries, and gatherings as accessible as possible for all sorts and conditions of people. These are offered for your use as you look to address challenges facing your communities.
We have found as we examine our own situations that we are not alone. Others have labored ahead of us. The resources provided here come from numerous places. Much has already been done and is being done globally, nationally, and locally to address matters of accessibility. We are grateful for the breadth and abundance of this work.
Resources
Resources for addressing accessibility are abundant. Here are some examples that you can use to learn about disabilities and be more accessible-friendly.
How to Make Your Parish More Accessible
Episcopal and Methodist Congregational Accessibility Network
Disability Awareness (Episcopal Diocese of Michigan)
Books & Studies
Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally
by Emily Ladau
If you want to stream books and have a library card, download the Libby App from the App Store!
Words of Wisdom
Event Gallery
We Will With God's Help
Our mission on behalf of disabled persons in our communities is rooted in Jesus’ radical inclusion of all people. We hope to live daily what is asked of us at every baptism:
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
With the church we respond, “I will, with God’s help.”
This is what empowers us for Access for All God’s Children. May it guide and strengthen you!
Leadership
Members
- David Britt
- Minda Cox
- Margie Gray
- The Rev. Meg Rhodes
- The Rev. Brittany Sparrow Savage
- The Rev. David Wilcox