2003 Report to the 130th Annual Convention
This year, 2003, has evolved into a transitional year in many ways for The Bethsaida Team. We started out the year by participating in Convention activities with a table of resources. We wore special nametags and made our mission known to many people.
The next three months were spent working with Valyrie Ledlein, parishoner of St. George's, Maplewood, and professional consultant for not-for-profit organizations. She led us through a visioning process that helped focus our ministry and realistically set goals. Valyrie returned to us in November to evaluate how we were doing and also helped structure our meeting time and task processing better.
During the summer, there was follow-through with congregations that were contacted and particularly thosee who asked for visits. This involved meetings with our sub-teams within the larger Team and with representatives from the congregations.
On September 28, we visited Christ Church, Bloomfield/Glen Ridge. We held an adult forum with an experiential exercise and then participated in their Eucharist service. Rick Fox, member of the Bethsaida Team, preached.
On October 5th, the second sub-team went to St. James in Hackettstown. We were greeted with a wonderful breakfast followed by the Eucharist. The Rev. Jim Warnke preached. This service, as well as the service at Christ Church, was signed. The Rev. Cathy Deats celebrated with one arm tied behind her back. The Team led a forum using the experiential exercise and a brief meditation.
We visited St. Peter's in Livingston on November 16th. The Rev. Jane Tomaine used a walker as she celebrated. Representatives from the congregation as well as a Team member participated in taking on a simulated disability and then we shared how that was for them in the service.
All of these congregations are developing plans to make their physical plants, liturgy and programs inclusive, welcoming and accessible.
We have been working with David Cates to produce a new, up-to-date video to be shown at Convention 2004 and to be used to promote the work of the Bethsaida Team. We have also purchased a digital camera and a laptop computer that will be used to demonstrate assistive software for various disabilities. The Team is continuously gathering resource materials and announcing and promoting opportunities such as the recent conference of funding accessibility projects in churches and synagogues.
The Bethsaida Team continues to be active members of the Interfaith Coalition of Inclusive Ministries. BT participated in the Coalition of Inclusive Ministries Awards Dinner.
We are concentrating on broadening our knowledge of the wide variety of disabilities that affect over 15% of the U.S. population and represents the largest minority segment. Another concentration is for the children and youth developing resources for Christian Educators to encourage awareness of how disabled people are integrated into their activities and also to help teachers provide programs that address the special needs of some students.
We are honored to have the opportunity at convention this year to present special acknowledgements to the five congregations that have worked so hard with the Bethsaida Team and have made significant strides towardd becoming truly inclusive or people with disabilities. They are: St. John the Devine in Hasbrouck Heights; St. Agnes, Little Falls; Christ Church, Bloomfield/Glen Ridge; St. James, Hackettstown; and St. Peter's, Livingston. Features of our visits are included in our video presentations.
We acknowledge the congregations that have made progress, some in small ways, others in major renovations and plans, on their own. We want to know who you are and what you have done during the past two years.
Respectfully submitted,
Ms. Jan Hardy and The Rev. Oscar Mockridge
Co-Chairs
