Webinar series focuses on giving

By Ann Leaman Ohio Conference Resource Advocate This month I would like to highlight a resource about giving and a resource from Anabaptist Disabilities Network related to baptism. Provident Giving Sessions This fall MennoMedia is partnering with Everence to provide a free webinar series about generosity, “The Provident Giving Sessions.” The first webinar, held in August, explored why people give.…

ADN creates accessible baptism curriculum

Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN) has published Believing and Belonging: An Accessible Anabaptist Membership Curriculum for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities. Written by ADN Executive Director Jeanne Davies, this curriculum fills the increasing need for curriculum written specifically for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities. This curriculum has 36 lessons covering God’s first people, the story of Jesus, the story…

Study guide focuses on accessibility

After the Mennonite Church USA Accessibility Resolution passed at a special delegate session in May 2022, Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN) created a Study Guide for the MC USA Accessibility Resolution. This study guide was written for ADN by Joanne Gallardo, a conference minister of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference of MC USA in Goshen, Indiana. The study guide is a resource for congregations to…

Explore these webinar offerings

By Ann Leaman Ohio Conference Resource Advocate This month I would like to highlight a variety of webinars being offered by various church-related agencies. The first is an upcoming webinar, and the other three are recordings of previously offered webinars. Housing Mennonite Central Committee will host “Creative Housing Solutions for Refugees and Asylum Seekers” on Tuesday, July 26, at 2…

MC USA launches Welcoming EveryBODY initiative

ELKHART, Indiana (Mennonite Church USA) — Mennonite Church USA (MC USA), in partnership with Anabaptist Disabilities Network, has launched “Learn, Pray, Join: Welcoming EveryBODY,” an initiative that celebrates the many gifts that people with disabilities bring to our church communities. During May and June, MC USA will seek to engage people in this initiative by offering resources, prayers and ways…

Webinar to focus on dementia and congregational care

Anabaptist Disabilities Network will host a webinar, “Dementia and Congregational Care,” on Thursday, June 16, at 1 p.m. Dementia affects individuals, their family members and the congregation. Many times, we want to offer support but we do not know where to start. We often back off because we don’t want to do the wrong thing. This webinar will help participants…

How accessible is your congregation’s building?

Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN) is now offering a Congregational Assessment Survey, a tool intended to help your congregation assess its level of accessibility. Learn more and use this tool by visiting the ADN website: https://bit.ly/ADNSurvey.

Resources address challenging issues

By Ann Leaman Ohio Conference Resource Advocate This month I would like to highlight a new Sunday school resource from Mennonite Central Committee and RAWtools, as well as a webinar from Anabaptist Disabilities Network and Everence. FEAR NOT How do we respond to violence in our homes and churches? Does our faith have anything to say about how we understand…

Anabaptist Disabilities Network receives grant

Anabaptist Disabilities Network has received Mennonite Health Services’ Innovation Grant. Grant funds will be used for the development of an Anabaptist membership curriculum for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities. See https://bit.ly/ADNInnovationGrant for details.

Webinar to explore disabilities and estate planning

Caring for someone who is dependent due to a significant disability is a major responsibility. Making provisions for that person’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being after the death of the caregiver can be complex and confusing. Anabaptist Disabilities Network will host a webinar in cooperation with Everence to help with estate planning for families with a dependent disabled family member. “After We’re Gone: Disabilities and…

Webinar to focus on mutual support for people experiencing mental illness

Anabaptist Disabilities Network and Church of the Brethren Discipleship Ministries are co-sponsoring a webinar titled “Churchwide Change: Strategies to reduce stigma and increase mutual support for people experiencing mental illness in our congregations.” This webinar, featuring input from Janelle Bitikofer, will take place Oct. 7 from 2 to 3 p.m. A previous webinar led in June by Janelle Bitikofer, “Providing…

Anabaptist Disabilities Network offers suggestions for dealing with hearing loss

The Summer 2021 e-newsletter from Anabaptist Disabilities Network focuses on inclusion of those who are deaf or who have hearing loss. The newsletter includes information about technology for making audio during worship services more accessible for people with hearing loss. Go to https://bit.ly/ADNSummer2021 to read this newsletter.

Webinar to discuss support for mental illness

Anabaptist Disabilities Network and Church of the Brethren Discipleship Ministries are co-sponsoring a webinar with the theme “Providing Mutual Support When People Experience Mental Illness.” This webinar will take place Thursday, June 17, at 2 p.m. EDT. How can we walk with people who are experiencing a mental illness in our congregations and community? Attend this “Mental Health 101” webinar…

Webinar to explore mutual care

Anabaptist Disabilities Network will host a webinar, “Mutual Care in Difficult Times,” on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. These are stressful times of pandemic and social unrest. People with disabilities and their families carry additional burdens. This webinar will examine how we, as the Church, can practice mutual care, sharing joy and shouldering the load together. This webinar will…

Anabaptist Disabilities Network offers Barrier-Free Grants for congregations

Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN) is announcing a new Barrier-Free Grant program that offers financial assistance to congregations for projects that facilitate barrier-free community life. Some examples of projects which would qualify for this grant are accessible restroom projects, classroom support persons, hearing devices, and mental health awareness events. The grant application lists many other examples of qualifying projects. You may…

Executive director sought for Anabaptist Disabilities Network

Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN) is seeking an executive director (.75 FTE) who will promote the vision of ADN to Anabaptist congregations, organizations and individuals. This individual will personally represent ADN with donors and supporters, solicit gifts, and provide oversight to ADN staff and programs. Fundraising and constituent cultivation ability are required. A heart for inclusion of persons with disabilities and…

Disabilities network seeks executive director

Anabaptist Disabilities Network is seeking a new executive director. This is a .75 – 1.0 FTE position. The Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN) board of directors seeks a visionary leader to be the ADN public face to constituents, supporters, and congregations. Proven faith-based fundraising and constituent cultivation ability is required. A heart for inclusion of persons with disabilities and their families in the life of the church is a must. The executive director must…