Barriers

Effective January 1, 2012, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requires that all organizations with public spaces, including churches, have policies in place as to how they will offer support to persons with disabilities. On December 9, 2011 Bishop Mike Hewitt, MCFO for Canada East, sent information to all pastors and CFOs concerning the new law and how its requirements should be implemented.

The new law does not yet require congregations to modify their buildings to make them more accessible for persons with disabilities, although it makes it clear that mandate will come in time. What is required now is that we have policies in place as to how we will offer support to persons who are differently-abled, and that all staff including volunteers have been trained on the policies.

Here is one example. Persons who come to church with a guide animal must be admitted along with the animal. Where the animal is prohibited because of health requirements (e.g. a kitchen where food is being prepared), alternate provision must be made to allow access for the disabled person.

Once the policy is in place, every person who is ever likely to deal with such a situation must have training on the policy in place. The need for the training should be obvious since it clearly would not make sense to have a policy written down and then have greeters at the door saying, “Oh, you can’t bring that dog in here!”

Of course the law is not just about guide animals but includes all disabilities, such as sight, hearing, mobility, and mental or psychological handicaps. The impact of the new law is that congregations must think about the needs of a disabled person in advance, and have policies in place as to how they will assist.

Meeting the requirements of the law is one thing, but kindness and a thoughtful approach may take us far beyond legal mandates. There are probably many people who would love to participate in church, but the physical of psychological barriers make it too difficult to do so. This includes many seniors as their strength and physical abilities decline. A congregation that is sensitive to the needs of the disabled and trained in how to make their participation more enjoyable may go far beyond the requirements of the law, breaking down barriers that the law cannot anticipate.

A recent blog from the Alban Institute entitled There Are No Barriers to God's Love has some very worthwhile reflections on this issue. You can find that article by clicking here. I recommend it for your thoughtful reading.

Posted by Carman

Happy New Year

I thought that news on the 2012 Canadian National Video/Conference would make for a great segue as we enter 2012. I cannot believe that this is 2012! I can believe that time passes quickly, so be prepared:

• The conference will be conducted through live video;
• It will be broadcast from 15 different Canadian “Host Sites”;
• This is a member conference, (meaning that all will be able to participate);
• Recommendation(s) from conference will be influential in changes or non-changes;
• The Mission Initiatives are supported by the conference Team, including: a) collection of 2012 lbs (912.6 kg) of food and/or clothing towards “Abolishing Poverty and End Suffering” and b) Peace Awards acknowledging those who “Pursue Peace on Earth”;
• This is a first for Canada, be part of a historical event;
• Polling will be done by casting ballots;
• This is a one day event;
• World Church has created a conference logo for Canada;
• Is your congregation a host site? Where do you go to join the conference?
• Please respond graciously by lending a hand on conference day and/or by donating to help off-set cost of holding the conference;
• Take note on the required equipment. Maybe your congregation just needs to add a couple of missing pieces to take advantage of World Church broadcasts or hooking up live with another congregation;
• Understand the conference questions, take advantage of the dialogue sessions;
• Discern, pray, share, listen and participate. Get in on the conversation;
• View the timely release of the video teasers by Apostle Susan Skoor on the web site;
• Familiarize yourself with the 5 Mission Initiatives;
• Attend a conference video trial from your host site, interesting stuff;
• There will be 3 timed components of the conference. Such as:
-A pre-linked portion > a time of gathering, worship, orientation, celebration and offering including the singing of our National Anthem.
-Linked portion > the time in which all Canadian members are linked by technology through video/audio and engaged in conference business.
-The post-linked portion of conference. A time for reflection, thanking God for this opportunity and feeling good about the day’s activities and process no matter what the outcome.
• Find more conference information on the Canadian website.
• An estimated 700 plus member participants from all of Canada.
• Remember, the conference date is Saturday, June 16th 2012 beginning at 12:00 noon EST.

This is your formal invitation to our first Canadian National Conference. You have 168 days from January 1st to prepare for conference.

May God add his blessing in all that you do in 2012. Aim high, set some goals and all your achievements will be well worth the effort.

…Get in on the conversation…see you at conference.

Tim J. Stanlick

Practice

I am not sure if it has anything to do with the fact that New Year's 2012 is now upon us, but I am thinking a lot about “spiritual practice” at the moment.

Practice is an interesting term is it not? It suggests that we must actively work at our spiritual disciplines, repeating them again and again. In other words, it is not enough to simply be spiritual; we have to work at it in order to develop our spiritual giftedness.

The classic work on spiritual practice is the book by Quaker theologian and author Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. Foster offers guidance about three categories of practice, which he identifies as inward disciplines (meditation, prayer, fasting, study), outward disciplines (simplicity, solitude, submission, service), and corporate disciplines (confession, worship, guidance, celebration). Although this book is now more than 30 years old, it still has a lot to recommend it.

Of course there are more spiritual practices then the twelve outlined by Foster. For example, the practice of music may be of great benefit to many people, whether singing or playing an instrument. While I personally do not enjoy singing the way some others do, I find it a blessing to occasionally include a Taize recording as part of my morning quiet time. The repetition of melodic phrases may either inspire of quiet the soul.

There are benefits to be gained by regular or daily participation in our spiritual disciplines, no matter which ones we choose to practice. For example, much has been written about the practice of meditation in the last few years. Many people have learned to still the mind and discovered the benefits of this activity, including a sense of inner peace and connection with the universe. The benefits go beyond being centred in spiritual peace and tranquility however. People have discovered they are also physically healthier as a result of this (in)activity. Practitioners often find they lower their blood pressure and reduce stress, lessening the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and other physical ailments.

Spiritual practice has important benefits for congregations as well. Diana Butler Bass, in her helpful book, The Practicing Congregation, notes the following correlation.

One of the lesser-noted findings of the Hartford Institute for Religious Research’s massive Faith Community Today (FACT) study was a link between “personal spiritual practices” and congregational vitality. According to study codirector David Roozen, “The study does confirm that the more emphasis a congregation gives to the values of home and personal religious practices, the higher the congregation’s vitality and the more likely it is to be growing in membership.” (The Practicing Congregation, p67).

Do you have Spiritual disciplines that you practice regularly? Do you find it a blessing? If you do not, let me encourage you to find practices that work for you in the year ahead.

On behalf of the staff and leadership team in the Canada East Mission of Community of Christ, I wish you a very Happy and Blessed New Year.

Posted by Carman

Merry Christmas

Christmas 2011 has come. The staff of Canada East Mission of Community of Christ would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas. May the Peace of Jesus Christ rest within your soul and the generous gift of love bless your heart throughout this blessed season of grace.

Carman, Tim, Mike, Melissa, Cheryl, and Jim

Another Perspective

This past weekend, Doug Bolger talked about the need to be sensitive to the Perspective of others and what we can learn from that experience. I find it particularly instructive to listen to children in this way.

At Christmas time, Children's eyes often show the excitement and wonder Christmas and the marvel of the Christmas story. By paying close attention to them, we see what they are learning, perhaps from us, and in the process, we learn a lot from them.

The following link provides a wonderful glimpse into the Children's view of the birth of Jesus. I know you will enjoy it. Click here for a delightful Childhood look at Christmas.

Merry Christmas from the staff and leadership team at Canada East Mission.

Posted by Carman

Perspective

As I thought about the differing versions of the Christmas story in the gospels of Matthew and Luke as discussed by Carman recently, I began to think about perspectives. (you can find that blog here.) Last year I was injured and unable to play my usual “old timer’s” hockey. When playing, the game seemed fast and challenging for me as a goalie. Then when I was confined to the role of “spectator”, somehow the game took on a whole new perspective. It was neither fast nor was it as challenging from that perspective. (No wonder we don’t have fans!)

This change of viewpoint has given me pause on many occasions and caused me to try to see the world from the perspective of others. I am particularly impressed with the special Christmas efforts of Hamilton’s “Blue Christmas” and Barrie’s “Purple Christmas”. Are they not seeing our holiday season from a different vantage point and thus providing a much-needed ministry?

I need to work on my perspectives. Whether it is the single, aging adult whose world becomes smaller and self-focused or the young families with their busy schedules and not attending church activities, there are many viewpoints that differ from mine, which I must take time to consider.

The Master teacher was constantly calling his disciples to see their world and their community members from a different points of view. Whether tax collectors, outcast women or thieves beside him on the cross, he loved, forgave, healed and reconciled.

As we come to the end of another year and approach a new one, may we seek out new perspectives and do so with the Mission of Christ in our hearts and minds.

Doug Bolger

Full

Reports are coming in of congregations experiencing crowds that they have not seen for quite some time. Grand Valley had 108 people attend an ordination service recently instead of the usual 35. Hamilton had a very nice response to their mid-week Blue Christmas service. Brydges Street had 75 guests for a Community Dinner, not counting the 40+ members who served. LaSalle had a completely full house (130+) for their annual Christmas choir and turkey dinner, including people they had never seen before. Ottawa had over 100 people at two locations this past Sunday.

I experienced something of this phenomenon myself this past week when I attended church in Cambridge. I walked in just as the service was starting, and the room was completely full. Several people pointed to an obscure empty chair, one of only two vacant seats in the whole place! For a moment it was almost like Luke’s version of the Christmas story in which Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem and seek a place to stay at the local inn, only to be told the rooms are all full.

What is happening here? Has there been a sudden resurgence of interest in religion? Is Christmas provoking some nostalgic desire in people to re-experience church? I don’t think so. Closer investigation reveals that at least three other things are going on.

First, in every case the congregations experiencing these increases in attendance did not follow their normal pattern of just assuming everyone knows they are welcome. Instead, they went out of their way to invite people. The folks at Grand Valley telephoned people, sent email invitations, and even stopped people on the street to invite them to come. Brydges Street folks went door to door distributing 850 invitations. LaSalle is a country church so they advertised through a variety of means including the township newsletter.

Second, those inviting have a positive attitude and an excitement about what is happening. "Something is happening here" is conveyed in their faces and voices when they make the invitation. “Something is happening and you will want to be part of it.”

Third, in several cases, the service or activity was not about the congregation itself but was directly tied to doing something for somebody else. Brydges Street wanted to (and did) do something for the East London community where the church is located; the people they feel called to serve. Hamilton’s Blue Christmas was for the benefit of people in the community whose Christmas will be sadder because of the loss of a loved one. LaSalle raised $700.00 for a local high school breakfast program. Barrie held a Purple Christmas service to raise funds and provide support for women and children in the community who are experiencing domestic violence.
Earlier we heard from Brydges Street with their post Dinner. This week we have been hearing from some other congregations that have reached out to their community.

Full houses in response to inviting, being positive, and serving others; is it possible that being the presence of Christ in our communities and actually fulfilling our mission is catching on?

Carman