Creating Access and Inclusion in Worship

STORY STARTER

Joe had just gotten off a commuter train when an older woman came up to him and asked for directions to the nearest bus stop where she was to meet her friend.

Joe walked with her toward what he thought was the closest bus stop. But the farther they walked, the more he had the feeling it wasn’t the right stop. While Joe and the woman were trying to figure out what to do, they saw someone crossing the street and coming toward them. She was a young woman, in her 20s, who had Down syndrome. “What are you looking for?” the young woman asked.

Fairly certain the young woman wouldn’t be able to help, but feeling guilty that he had led the older woman astray, Joe said, “This woman is supposed to meet her friend at the bus stop nearest the train terminal,” Joe said. “But we’re not sure we’re headed toward the right stop.”

“Oh,” the young woman said without a moment’s hesitation, “you want the stop back around the corner for the #250 bus. That’s nearest to the station. I take that bus all the time to work.” They thanked the young woman, and just as quickly as she appeared, she disappeared. Joe escorted the older woman to the correct bus stop.

As he walked away, he felt sure God had visited him that day.