Faith and Disability Conversation held in Nashville

Faith and Disability Community Conversation Images-Nashville

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Disabilities and Religion program hosted a community conversation in Nashville in February to brainstorm with key stakeholders about increasing opportunities for meaningful participation for people with disabilities and their families in communities of faith.

This is the first of two community conversations on faith and disability. The second will be held in Williamson County on March 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Franklin First United Methodist Church, 120 Aldersgate Way, Franklin, TN, 37069.

For many people, faith community involvement is at the foundation of their spiritual and emotional well-being. This is no different for people with disabilities. However, people with disabilities and their families often encounter unique obstacles in finding a faith community and in participating fully in all aspects of congregational life.

At the conversation in Nashville, congregation staff, religious educators, disability ministry volunteers, worship leaders, families, people with disabilities, residential providers, disability organizations and interested others identified and prioritized community needs. The conversation was focused on steps that might be taken in Nashville to ensure our friends and neighbors with disabilities can participate in all aspects of congregational life.

Here is what participants had to say:

• "The Community Conversation on Faith and Disability was a fun and thoughtful process of discovering the possibilities in forming a faith community where everyone is valued equally and can participate fully."
• "The Community Conversation was an exciting way to engage with others about supporting individuals with disabilities within faith communities. It is a wonderful opportunity for congregational leaders and members to think about these issues, share their own insights, and walk away with ideas to promote the presence and participation of people of all abilities in their own communities."

Please join the next conversation in Williamson County at:

For more information and to register for the Conversation,CLICK HERE

Last Updated: 3/1/2016 3:07:15 PM

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