Creating Access and Inclusion in Worship

Bulletin Article for Inclusion Awareness Sunday

The Philoptochos Society of ____ (insert parish name) ______ and Greek Orthodox People with Disabilities Invite you to join our parish for our celebration of Inclusion Awareness Sunday in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago (insert date of your celebration)

On _____ (insert date and parish) ___will join other parishes in Chicago in observing Inclusion Awareness Sunday. The Awareness Day is modeled after the Pathways Awareness Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors movement which raises awareness to the need for accommodations so that people of all abilities can participate in worship and ministries at their house of worship.

____ (Insert name of parish) ____ especially welcomes those with disabilities every Sunday and seeks to enable their full participation in the life of the church. By observing Inclusion Awareness Sunday we hope to further educate parishioners about the needs of people with disabilities in our midst, as well as to recognize the tremendous value that they add to our community.

Inclusion Awareness Sunday is an initiative of Philoptochos together with the St. Stylianos Children?s Ministry, a ministry of St. John that Baptist parish, Des Plaines, for children with disabilities and their families. Contributed by Dr. Antonia Antonakos, Philoptochos President and Eleni Patos, Chairwomen, Inclusion Awareness Sunday, St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Des Plaines, IL ?

When we voluntarily, compassionately, and joyfully stand beside and respond to the needs of another member of the living Body of Christ, then we are in fact responding to Christ Himself ?? Fr. John Chryssavgis

The Body of Christ: A Place of Welcome for People with Disabilities (p6)