Creating Access and Inclusion in Worship

BULLETIN ARTICLES BEFORE INCLUSION AWARENESS DAY

On _____ (insert date and parish) ___will join other congregations in observing Inclusion Awareness Day. Inclusion Awareness Day is an integral part of the Pathways Awareness Open Hearts, Open Minds movement. The goal is to raise awareness to the gifts received when accommodations are provided so worshippers of all abilities can participate in liturgy, ministries, fellowship and leadership roles.

____ (Insert name of parish) ____ welcomes parishioners of all abilities every day and seeks to enable everyone?s full participation. By observing Inclusion Awareness Day we hope to educate our faith community about the needs of some of our parishioners as well as to recognize the gifts our community receives when all can worship and minister together.

AND/OR

Inclusion Awareness Day focuses on awareness, acceptance and inclusion for visitors and members of varying abilities in our faith community. Our participation in Inclusion Awareness Day affirms our commitment to making our place of worship welcoming and accessible to all individuals in our community.

October 11, 2009 (or your parish?s alternate date) is Inclusion Awareness Day. That day we will focus on access and inclusion through prayer, preaching and reflection. Participation in Inclusion Awareness Day is just one step toward making our church more accessible. To have a real and lasting impact, we must extend our efforts beyond this special day. Together we can open our community to people of all abilities so that everyone can participate in worship, ministries and fellowship every day of the year. (Follow this article by a bulleted list of accommodations you provide such as large print missals, assistive listening devices, accommodations for Celiac Sprue etc. and how parishioners access these accommodations).

Contributed by Old St. Patrick?s Church, Chicago, IL