| Nationally Known Disabilities-and-Faith Expert Spoke on "Access Sunday", September 9, 2007, at Lexington's Second Presbyterian Church |
Kathleen Deyer Bolduc, a nationally known author and speaker on faith and
disabilities, will be the guest speaker on September 9, 2007 at the third
"Access
Sunday" at Second Presbyterian Church. Ms. Bolduc will speak during the 8:30 a.m. worship hour and again at 11:00
a.m. Her remarks will focus on inclusive faith communities that welcome
individuals and families, including those with special needs. In addition
she will facilitate a discussion on inclusive ministries and supporting
individuals and families during Second's Forum class starting at 9:40
a.m.Access Sunday will also include interactive activities for children and youth on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the faith community. After the 11:00 a.m. service, lunch will be available for a nominal charge and a panel will lead discussion on including individuals with disabilities that impact behavior. Panel members will include Ms. Bolduc and her husband Wally Bolduc, whose youngest child, now 21 years old, has autism. Other panelists will include Ms. Bobbie Burcham, school psychologist and life coach; Dr. Bob Granacher, psychiatrist; and Don Stenhoff, Ph.D., behavioral specialist. The public is welcome to attend all events. Kathy Bolduc is well known for her expertise in assisting faith communities to become more welcoming of individuals and families that have disabilities. She has written numerous articles appearing in national publications and two books, His Name is Joel: Searching for God in a Son's Disability and A Place Called Acceptance: Ministry with Families of Children with Disabilities. |
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“Access Sunday” with Rev. Gaventa occurred on November 12, 2006 |
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Rev. William C. Gaventa, M. Div., a nationally known expert and advocate on disabilities and faith, will be the guest preacher on November 12, 2006 at the second “Access Sunday” at Second Presbyterian Church in Lexington.
Director of Community & Congregational Supports at the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities in New Brunswick, N.J., Gaventa is an associate professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He is co-editor of the Journal of Religion, Disability & Health and a columnist for Insight, the national newsletter of ArcUSA. His publications include numerous journal articles, book chapters, monographs, resource collections and three edited books. Gaventa, who is a Baptist minister, is well known for his longstanding advocacy work on behalf of inclusive ministries, or bringing persons with disabilities into the full life of the church. Such outreach can reap many rewards – and not just for those with special needs. "Congregations are growing because of work they're doing in this area," Gaventa said in a recent publication. "When you welcome people, all people, you attract their families, too.” While in Lexington Gaventa also will address a two-day conference on disabilities and spirituality at the Lexington Theological Seminary cosponsored by the UK Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute. |
Gaventa will speak during the
8:30 a.m. worship hour and again at 11. The topic of his remarks is “Great Unexpectations.” In addition, he will facilitate discussion on inclusive
ministries and Biblical foundations during an adult education class starting
at 9:40 a.m. Activities also will include interactive exercises for
children of all ages on the special contributions that persons with
disabilities can make to the faith community. The public is welcome to
attend all events.