A Caregiver Fallacy

Posted: April 21, 2024 by Ty in Belonging Pyramid, Current Events
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I was blessed to be apart of the majority of learning/educational Passover last night, with the songs, the food, the stories, traditions and contemplative questions. As I reflected I began to build out in my mind and heart that we tend to misunderstand burden. The concept of release from burden when one is a caregiver sets us up to have interrupted or repressed grieving. For those unaware unprocessed grief can create the same mental, emotional and physiological responses as PTSD, even a misdiagnosis and mistreatement.

Why is this in mind? Well, I have played a role as caregiver with other relatives like my Mum and Dad, with various relatives. Though in the moments, and at that time in history it was and is being family. Though over time and even then, when the caring ended, as the loved one transitioned to the next adventure (as we would explain to my kids, the great tea party), some things always perplexed or landed wrong.

Yes it was emotionally draining, rolling with emotions and new experiences. Seeing my loved Granddad struggle physically with his emphysema. My Nan, who began to see the effects of dementia. My Granmda with her falls, and then in hospital in the last days where her mind had regressed to a point in time in history where I was no born, so I was either my uncle or cousin, but I still got to have time with her and show her love. With each of them. With my Mum as she journeyed towards the end with breast cancer, and her own mental health struggles. Same thing, it was hard emotionally.

But then the phrase, the essence being, “while isn’t it wonderful it is over” or “think of how much better things will be now”. Sentiments echoed with my own son.

Yet, NO.

It was time spent. It was time together. Yes, if our society did not have systemic issues of emotional constipation around chronic conditions. Emotional phobia of death. Perhaps these journeys would be more supportive by all. If our governments did not see citizens as the enemy and fight against supports or enforce constant cycles of advocacy to prove personhood… Yeah, caregiving is hard emotionally but it is being family. What breaks one’s spirit, heart and yes body, is the constant fighting with the world crafted by those elected that do no see the one with the chronic condition as person. That is the true draining.

And then because we are to see this work of caregiving (not the advocacy and systemic “isms” and prejudices as the burden) we are to be gladdened when the life is lost and grieving should be nicely wrapped up as the employer dictactes (no longer than 3 paid days if in Calgary, or 5 outside of town), and it better fit the description human resources provides as kin, God help you (and yes that is intentional, not blasphemous) if you family functions differently.

So as I reflect on my journey of family, as caregiver, my own chronic conditions. The support and story of loss, and what is reflected. I know the release, of unrepressed grieving. Of letting the tears flow anew, to understand that the burden was not the caring, and time with the loved one. The burden is what our systems create for proper care and support of professionals and ensuring those systems are properly equipped.

I encourage the caregivers, the personal ones, let us raise our voices. Let us push for proper caregivers allowances to reduce the systemic burden, to allow for our time with loved ones to exist so we can continue to care and together thrive.

Let us raise our voices for government to get out of the meta-fallacy-myth that citizens are out to defraud the system, and use the fact checker of the CRA at the end so that thriving can happen for those we care for.

Let us raise our voices, and stop the politicos and the populists and the anger mob from shaping the faux ballot box questions and direclty speak to those running and not accept the non answer anymore.

Let us raise our voices, and admit the burden that is being released in loss is constantly fighting for our loved ones to be seen as person.

Let us raise our voices, and celebrate the extra time we have had.

Let us raise our voices, and let the tears come,

for our friends lost.

And know, it is okay.

The Latest…

Posted: April 18, 2024 by Ty in Belonging Pyramid
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It was a pleasure to work with Faith Today to see this short piece come to fruition, enjoy!

https://www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2024-Mar-Apr/Learning-from-Jesus-and-the-woman-at-the-well

The Service I was reflecting on:

Sonrise

Posted: March 31, 2024 by Ty in Spirituality
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Betrayed, tortured, executed, and abandoned. The betrayer taking his own life. And a wealthy follower provides the burial, his close friends deny and flea into the shadows, awaiting the knock that can mean the end of their own life. This is the journey from Good Friday through Holy Saturday, a time of disruption and not knowing, of non-entities being further oppressed (and why, this year it is such a healing moment the church can embrace that Trans Day of Visibility, and Easter share the calendar).

As the sun is coming up, the women come, after having watched the tomb sealed by Empire so as to ensure the story of Creator Sets Free return (like Lazarus, Father Martin SJ’s most recent book explores this story wonderfully) could not happen.

or could it?

Then, on the first day of the week following the Day of Resting, as the sun began to rise, Strong Tears (Mary) of the village of Creator’s High Lodge (Magdala) and Brooding Tears (Mary) went to see the burial cave.

2Suddenly the earth began to shake, and a spirit-messenger from the spirit-world above came down from the sky, walked to the burial cave, rolled the stone away—and sat down on it! 3He was shining as bright as a flash of lightning, and his regalia was pure white like freshly fallen snow.

4The soldiers staggered back, trembling with fear, and fell to the ground like dead men.

5-6“Do not fear!” the spirit-messenger said to the women. “The one you are looking for is not here. Creator Sets Free (Jesus), who was killed on the cross, has come back to life again—just as he said. Look! Here is where they laid him. 7Now hurry and go tell his followers that he has risen from the dead. Tell them he is going ahead of them to Circle of Nations (Galilee), and they will see him there. Now remember what I have told you!”

The words echo, in the Gospel of Mark (16:4-8), the original ending is simply:

But when they arrived, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled away. 5When they went inside the burial cave, they saw a young man, dressed in a pure white garment, sitting to the right side of the cave. This filled the women with fear that covered them like a blanket.

6“Do not fear!” the young man said to them, “The one you are looking for is not here! Creator Sets Free (Jesus) from Seed Planter Village (Nazareth), who was killed on the cross, has returned to life. See for yourselves. Here is where they laid him. 7Now go and tell his followers, and Stands on the Rock (Peter), that he is going ahead of them to Circle of Nations (Galilee). It is there that they will see him again—just as he told them.”

8Terror and amazement came upon the women, and they ran as fast as they could from the burial cave

This idea of leaving the empty tomb, and the question left before us what would we do? How do we empower and elevate the voice, that was beyond voiceless at this time, as it was the women’s voice?

Much like the Trans voice today as both corporate, political and religious empire attempt to silence and exterminate from the commons, and yes even from existence (just note the rise of misinformation and violence towards this group of siblings in humanity). This is where the beautiful alignment of the risen Christ, the Sonrise, and Trans Visibility Day matters for healing (actual justice work in our world), and I do pray that the church as whole answers the prayer.

As we can be like the women at the empty tomb (as one online meme phrased it, we’re going biblical this Sonrise, only women may attend, but I digress), as the community of John shares, as the Empire tried to continue to spin misinformation and hide away what had happened:

The women ran from the burial cave to bring the good news to his followers. Their hearts were trembling with fear and great joy. 9Suddenly, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) was standing in front of them.

“It is a good morning!” he smiled and said to them.

They came close, held tightly to his feet, and gave great honor to him.

10“Do not fear!” he told them. “Go and tell my brothers to go to Circle of Nations (Galilee), and there they will see me.”

Showing the true belonging community, where all voices were heard… and welcomed… For the Imageo Dei is a beautiful and wonderful mosaic.

This Easter/Trans Day of Visibility may we embrace and live into this calling.

Reconcilaition Next Steps

Posted: March 30, 2024 by Ty in Current Events, Spirituality
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Tuesday April 16, 2024 @ 7 p.m., come and join speaker, passionate advocate and worker for reconciliation Mizze Walker at Knox United in Calgary, details and where to RSVP below

The Waiting

Posted: March 30, 2024 by Ty in Spirituality
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The most uncomfortable piece of the Holy Week journey, it’s why so many lean into Tony Campolo’s comfort of It’s Friday but Sunday’s coming… we dislike being in grieving. Being in the unknown. Yet it is the mystery that is a part of the journey. The showing of the completely human, why some have Vigil Saturday, where from end of day Friday until Sonrise on Sunday you stay in prayer, some use a more truncated service format of readings and hymns.

How the ancient church attempted to formalize the mystery of what death meant for Brother Jesus, with these thougths from the Apostle’s Creed:  he descended to hell.

The concept popularized in Dante and Milton possibly, but most likely Hades’ the idea of storehouse of souls, raised, broken, the control of evil defeated in this time? Do we truly live that happened, or as Lewis’ would contemplate in the Screwtape Letters we still give over much to demonic forces that are simply part of creation?

Take time not looking to what we know is to come, but take time to be in contemplation, in the moment, processing…for prayer for the dead is the ancient wisdom of knowing we can take everything to God, and by speaking it we begin to heal to move forward into the new reality of what is becoming and can start to release what was. Though we dislike the discomfort of unknown, we dislike the discomfort of loss, we dislike the discomfort of emotions.

Simply be… is hard.

But take this time, be in the unknown, be in the mystery.

Ukraine Benefit Concert Tonight

Posted: March 29, 2024 by Ty in Spirituality
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Reminder YYC Peeps, there is a benefit concert tonight at St. David’s United Church, if you cannot attend and still want to help, use the QR Code to donate:

Good Friday

Posted: March 29, 2024 by Ty in Spirituality
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It is weird to use the term Good for an execution, and I understand many will lean into the substition theory for what happens today in our journey. We see the betrayal, the denials (loss of connection, community abandonment): https://www.bible.com/bible/3633/JHN.18.FNVNT

Creator Sets Free, dared to challenge the Empire, the controlling powers that of political and religious might and oppression and control. Pontius Pilate and the false installed leaders…hmmm… any analogy to Alberta or America in this set up possibly?

Think it through to this moment though. Hundreds of crucified were hung on the roads into Jerusalem to remind the non-people the wage of speaking out of their caste, (do we not jail or ticket the poor in our own cities instead of solving the issue, UBI anyone?)? What is the rising death toll of drug poisonings but not road side crucifixions because we refuse to live as created? What is the rising use of MAiD for loneliness and poverty but us creating other caste’s of non-persons? We have our own road of crucified this week in Alberta and are ignoring, just as those aligned with Empire easily could walk in and tsk tsk those that risked, those that sought to only be person (think of the co-morbidity myth that was used for deaths during covid? Because of Wings and Beer my peeps).

A trial, where many fallacies flowed, where Empire deflected their responsibility, and let the appeal to emotion (that being fear and anger)– if this humble labour, that we know isn’t his father’s son, and the one who was betrothed was so unholy he did not stone his betrothed to death for her infidelity or cast her outside to be trafficked (oh my, seeing an arguement from analogy here for how religious families are supposed to treat their 2SLGBTQ+ children, and the constant gossip and attack when they do not cast out?).

The populist rage against the churning change, that which Jesus so radically pushed against in his non-violent protest and actions. Showing radical belonging, created interdendence of the Imageo Dei, and true egalitarian equity.

True Healing

The great sin that had to be silenced for if the masses caught hold, and realized they had been played and rose up against the overstretched minority oppressors—

And so the mock trial.

The playing on fear of being on the crosses.

The populist fuse of hatred lit.

And the mass murderer released to ensure the silencing of Creator Sets Free (imagine being so powerful in simply the use of Hope, that the greatest Empire in the history of the Western World, had to play a political game to execute you?).

The mocking, beating and dehumanizing found in John 1 9as linked above and here to remind:

https://www.bible.com/bible/3633/JHN.19.FNVNT

Processes of torture and humiliation, used to break not necessarily Creator Sets Free spirit, but to ensure his followers would understand it was over and time to go away. How often do we see this happen with movements? Leveraging legalities to ensure compliance and silence (hmmm… Alberta government’s new Trans policies anyone? The anti-human right breaking of encampments? Non-investment in affordable housing? Allowing coal mining which will poison our water? Not understanding or refusing to acknowledge we have damaged creation, that is dominionism is a fallacy, like colonialism, and a sin to be told the truth of and reconciliation work to be done while we still have air to breath and food to eat)…but how often are these tactics used? Reinvigorated in our gamification of war and playing with terms of genocide, yet not holding to account powers in the world and allies for acts of terror and genocide?

Yet this humiliation was meant to do what it did (and the Easter Sunday story shows who was courageous…but we do not know that yet so know reading ahead in this mystery).

And before Creator Sets Free breathed his last, he speaks, most likely gasping, blood burbling in his lungs with water as he was drowning, struggling through pain, dehydrated, most likely soiled himself several times over. Twisted and broken.

And yet, his final plea to the Beloved Disciple:

the much-loved follower of Creator Sets Free (Jesus), was also there with them.

When Creator Sets Free (Jesus) looked down and saw them, he said to his mother, “Honored woman, look to your son.” 27Then he said to his follower, “Look to your mother.”

From that time the follower took Bitter Tears (Mary) into his family and cared for her.

On this Friday, what does this request and calling mean to you?

Maundy Thursday (a day late)

Posted: March 29, 2024 by Ty in Spirituality
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I had intentions this Holy Week to do a daily post contemplating and exploring, but with the nature of a short academic week, but not a change in teaching/marking/prep schedules with not wanting to put in overtime as I do enjoy time with family…that did not happen.

On this Good Friday morning though, I do want to take a moment, to pause and remember Maundy Thursday (a new translation to read: https://www.bible.com/bible/3633/JHN.13.FNVNT). It is the moment in time when Jesus gathers in the upper room, that tradition teaches was owned by John Mark’s parents’. John Mark being the Mark of the Gospel of Mark, most likely the scribe of St. Peter’s remembrances. Within the stories of the last night, I tend to lean into the story from the Gospel of John (the gospel that gives us the spiritual formation device of the unnamed beloved disciple that the hearer/reader is to see as us. It changes the dynamic of the liturgical practice of church, the idea of interpretation of entering into the text and what it means for us today.

This is my struggle with Passion Sunday, we truncate the story to two events, that doesn’t need to happen with technology, video or audio messages can be shared daily for the community to journey the week through even if not gathering. Most within the Last Supper will highlight two key things:

  1. Jesus’ acknowledgement of Judas’ betrayal- a wonderful sermon on Judas was an upside this past Sunday by Rev. Mannix, who Judas was and even within the scope of a villain what I was reminded of as a story teller, they see themselves as the hero. Here is Judas, someone who had lost so much to follow with Jesus, and the pressures mounted…
  2. Communion/Eucharist instituted. I know Jesus uses the language of body and blood. Allergoric or metaphorical depending on one’s philosophical leaning and story telling style. Some will see these aspects as nothing more than elements or symbolism, some hear and experience literal mystical transfiguration in the moment. I prefer the Via Media approach, that is I do not know what happens in the mystery of the meal, just as Jesus’ friends did not know, but something happens beyond simple bread and juice (I hold to a more universal table and glutten free, and juice creates that) though my metaphoric language for the mystery sacred, is what I first heard when I returned to church as an adult from Rev. Linda Hunter, cup of promise and bread of life. Regardless of the communal prayer words, when I take the elements these words are in my heart.

But those two pieces are not front and centre in the Gospel of John. The Johannine community, was egalatarian and interdependent (sorry patriarchal misogynists, those that became bishops and elders in the letters were across the gender spectrum, remember the beloved disciple from the cross was asked to care for his Mumma, and that is all of us). In most protestant circles there are 2 sacraments (baptism and communion), Anglicans have a 2+5 model, and Roman Catholics hold to 7 sacraments for the Western Church. Some say this is like a bonus sacrament demonstrated and illustrated beautifully in this stand alone gospel story (found not in the other 3).

But I do not see it as a bonus, as I read, and contemplate and have since Dr. Fox’s Johannine lit course in seminary, it has been the sacrament that flows through and actualizes the others (whether 2, 2+5 or 7). Let the words flow, and see if you can notice what the sacrament is?

FOOT-WASHING CEREMONY

4Knowing all of this, during the meal Creator Sets Free (Jesus) got up from the table, took off his outer garments, and wrapped a cloth around himself like a sash. 5He poured water into a vessel and, one by one, he began to wash the feet of his followers and dry them with the cloth.

This was a task reserved for only the lowest servant of the household.

6He came to Stands on the Rock (Peter), who said to him, “Wisdomkeeper, are you going to wash my feet?”

7“You do not understand now what I am doing, but later you will,” he answered.

8“No!” Stands on the Rock (Peter) lifted his voice, “This can never be!”

Creator Sets Free (Jesus) looked deep into his eyes and said, “If you refuse this, then you have no part in who I am.”

9“Wisdomkeeper,” he answered back, “if this is so, then wash my hands and head also!”

10Creator Sets Free (Jesus) replied, “If you have already had a bath, only your feet need washing, and then you will be clean all over. Now, you are all clean. Except for one.”

11He said this because he knew who would betray him.

After he had finished washing all their feet, 12he put his outer garment back on and sat down again at the table.

“Do you see what I have done?” he said to them. 13“You are right to call me Wisdomkeeper and Chief—because I am. 14If I, your Wisdomkeeper and Chief, have washed your feet, then you should wash each other’s feet. 15So follow my footsteps and do for each other what I have done for you.

16“I speak from my heart. The one who serves is not greater than the one who is served. A message bearer is not greater than the one who sent him. 17If you walk in this way of blessing, you will do well, and it will return to you—full circle.

It flows through so seamlessly, and ties into the love commandments that summarized all the ancient teachings, laws and prophets when Creator Sets Free was challenged about what the greatest was, he spoke the love commandments that are not a hierarcy, but an infinite circle of Love of God, self and neighbour for we are all intertwined.

The sacrament that connects all, and builds the interdependnet healthy community, is simply, the gift of Maundy Thursday–

Sacrament of Service.

Palm Sunday Reflections or we bite our thumb at oligarchs

Posted: March 24, 2024 by Ty in Belonging Pyramid
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Between giving up my ordination due to ableism of my home congregation, and before my vows as a Professional Lay Leader in another tradition the words of Crossan and Borg’s reflective historical book, The Last Week took root. Okay, they had taken root way before but who can pass up such an introductory sentence as this. It spoke of the journey of Palm Sunday, that familiar story, so familiar that we tend to short change the journey of Holy Week, into Passion Sunday, an almost Twitter (sorry X) story of Easter (like the Good Friday, Campolo quote, it’s Friday but Sunday’s coming, acknowledging that human beings do not like to be in the tension of grieving).

He Shows Goodwill Tells the Good Story 12:13 FNVNT

A great crowd of them took branches from palm trees and went out to greet him. Waving palm branches in their hands, they began to shout, “Hosanna!” meaning “Help us!” They cried out with glad hearts. “We honor you as the one who is to come representing the Great Spirit. You are the Great Chief of the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) !”

As Creator Sets Free (Jesus), was entering with those that his oppressive powers (the Empire, those who used weaponized Religion, merchants) were not citizens or people (think of the procession this would be today as the death throes of Christendom, and the healing change as the cycle of intergenerational trauma and colonialism is being pushed back against and hopefully removed, the last gasps of hatred fueled populism one can hope). This was a gathering of celebration that travelled through the rows of death, the assertion of Empire as those that had dared speak out, or attempt to bring about change were crucified to line the road ways into Jerusalem, to remind Israel that the story of Passover, the saving of their G-d was invalid and nothing more than a myth.

On the other side, Pontius Pilate, who was selected for his ability to instill fear and assert power and control once more. The pomp and ceremony. The display of authoriative power, oh what had this humble labourer-non-person, done to ensure that it was known he was target.

The folden palm crosses (usually last year’s palms are burnt for the ashes on Shrove Tuesday to make the ash for Ash Wednesday to start the Season of Lent). This palm cross was folded as part of a youth night, when I was a youth pastor in the Anglican Church I was the first baby baptized on their role. Anyways more on the baptism concept to come, it was given to my Nan, and when she went into long term care and could not have personal belongings, passed on to my Mum, who when she passed away, came back to me. A lineage connection, as I was a generational Sunday School Teacher throughout my family, if in different traditions (my daughter continued this for a season as well).

The palm, the challenge of authoritarianism. Think of that image as we push back against the forms of hatred in our world– trans, anti-semite, muslim, white supremacy, queer, youth, disability, any other form hatred takes to assert, well what Pilate’s parade was asserting. Think of in our world the arguments against Universal Basic Income, the failure of affordable housing, greedflation, all means of control from oligarchs (billionaires becoming trillionaires) as they push back against being taxed (rendering onto Caesar that which is Caesar’s, for those who assert Christendom as the tradition of the west, it is imperative we impose wealth taxes to assure the systems of care are universal, robust and free, for those who do not, it is imperative that we impose wealth taxes for the same ends).

It is this day, of the Liturgical Church Calendar, I also honour the chosen baptisms of my children. My son, worked hard to be heard to be baptized within an ELCIC church that we found short term belonging in, after being told we did not belong. He was so excited, and in tears as he was informed it was time. This was after sustained talks, aiding with other baptisms. It was his triumphal entry, the shattering of language/communication bias, the asserting of his role as minister of the gospel not as someone to be served, but who is also going to serve with a called purpose, part of the blessed mosaic creation of the Holy Mystery, in their image.

The following year, my youngest chose to be baptized as well, our warrior princess, shattering glass and kicking @$$ as the Brad Paisely song goes, as she continues to change the dynamics of the world, always a creative free spirit of drawing, painting, singing and dancing.

Times to celebrate the ongoing familial moments of challenging the powers of oppression and control, pushing back, and asserting full creation. These are reminders and pieces of my discerned, if not fulfilled as a justice moment,vocational call to diaconal ministry.

But Palm Sunday, with the celebration is also tinged with sadness, as I look upon the folded Palm Crosses, on the kitchen wall, with my Mum’s cow art. It was the last time my Mum would physically be in church with me and my family, celebrating my youngest’s baptism (the next time, her physical remains were there, and I could feel her spirit, but it was celebrating her life after she succumbed to all that came with her long fight against breast cancer).

I wonder, how different our understanding of Easter would be if we took time to continue the journey? Offer times of being in remembrance of our own journeys? Those we have lost? Changes we have endured and gone through? Things let go, things that have come.

I do ponder…

If this was done,

would we see the Pilate Parade be the one finally silenced in our world?

Neurodivergency and the Church

Posted: March 23, 2024 by Ty in Belonging Pyramid
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It is an intriguing confluence or more likely coincidence (since philosophically humans like to avoid those) that in my learnings in disability theology this month brought me to Rev. Dr. Hardwick’s (the Autism Pastor) Disability and the Church: A Vision for Disability and Inclusion, as well as Father Matthew Schneider, LC’s (Autistic Priest’s) God Love’s the Autistic Mind: Prayer Guide for Those on the Spectrum and Those Who Love Us, as the polytechnique I serve at as a philosophy instructor is in the midst of neurodivergency month for us to learn and continue innovative ways to support students learn and find vocation.

It also shows what I have noticed within the realm of a unique division in Roman Catholicism and Protestantism (yes I am using these as their broad terms without the nuance of the diversity that exists within, sometimes stereotypes can be useful to advance a discussion and challenge). Schneider pointed out that many families (his work had a USA statistic) with folks who are Autistic simply won’t engage with church, and that the way one with Autism engages with religion is different. Understanding these things is about shaping the spiritual for universal engagement. That is seeing what is possible, in Calgary (where Schneider orginitated, he know ministers in America), there is a Mass that is low-sensory, still has all the pieces just not as stimulating for those with neuro-diversity, that as my Anglican heritage would phrase it, all the smells and bells, are lessened. My family has attended this Mass in the past (I was a RC Lay Minister for a few years in my journey, but never a formal member), it was engaging, and the diversity of the Imageo Dei present was beautiful, a space for my son and his friends.

Though it always does raise the challenge in my heart, can we stop creating separate religious spaces? Sometimes it is necessary, sometimes it is creating a rhythm in multiple services offered where others will join so it is not segregation as with this style of Mass. Sadly, more often than not, our Protestant experience has been to turn those with disabilities into talking displays to point out difference, or the failed call to healing prayer or directing families to the mega-churches that have distinct ministries. Some have provided welcome and belonging, most recent readers of the spring edition 2024 of Presbyterian Connections here in Canada can see my article on what this can look like.

Which leans me into Hardwick’s work, he is also diagnosed with Autism, and serves as a church pastor. What is intriguing about his book, while Schneider engages with how the autistic mind functions with spirituality, prayer, and even provides in the second part of his book 52 reflections (and Schneider highlights each person is unique, even the manifestation of the diagnosis), Hardwick points out the short comings of inclusion. What intrigued me, as I reflected into his work, and shared with my guide on this renewal of disability theology, is his fifth chapter specifically.

It is the chapter he engages with education. The key take away was the advocacy, resonance, and eloquence he laid out having to get the leaders of the church to engage with their learning and discovery on this topic in a new way. The way churches engage with the program/ministry mindset needs to be unlearned for the new to come into reality. This is the learning journey. Looking at this concept, and the reticence to understand change (both psychologically and philosophically as humans) and our constant appeal to traditions, sadly, leaning into literal readings of texts is what has created the current quagmire in the church.

Not seeing the healing miracles as calls to social justice and equity for the Imageo Dei, destroying the moralistic lens in regards to illness or disability is needed. Shattering our fear of transforming our buildings beyond what building code (grandfathererd or otherwise) state is needed for full accessibility for all members of community (note the word used there, don’t be reactive until one needs, be proactive to show welcome and inclusion that can lead to belonging).

Begin book clubs, begin learning and reaching out to disability agencies, offer space to host (in Alberta, possibly other areas) to the agencies that aid with transitions between child and adult services or even day programming space, creative space…the list goes on. Ensure sound boards are functioning properly (as they wear out, the almost imperceptible hum can trigger neurological episodes in those with seizure and convulsive disorders, so can feedback loops, ensure your volunteers are trained well to reduce harm–as one who has had these moments while preaching they are not fun).

The transformation of education starting with leadership, and filtering outwards is important. I have struggled on this latest professional development journey as for the outcome, and these two books speaking on Autistic experience, made me realize the experience and concepts can be expanded so we can create the risky radical concept in our communities Swinton wrote of, belonging. And actualize what Yong so eloquently put into words:

“Each person with a disability,
no matter how serious, severe, or
even profound, contributes something essential to and for the body
through the presence and activity
of the Spirit; people with disabilities
are therefore ministers empowered by the Spirit of God, each in
their own specific way, rather than
merely recipients of the ministries
of non-disabled people” (The Bible, Disability, and the Church: A
New Vision of the People of God
by Amos Yong, 2011, p. 95)

Which has led me to begin crafting a workshop of learning and discovery for churches to engage in the journey of authentically expanding belonging for the created image, our neighbours and our ministers.

Books:

Father Matthew’s book: https://www.amazon.ca/God-Loves-Autistic-Mind-Spectrum/dp/081983162X

Rev. Dr. Hardwick: https://www.ivpress.com/disability-and-the-church

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