Friday, October 21, 2016

News and notes from AMD - 10/21/16

NYT disability series: Inspiring
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/20/opinion/i-dont-want-to-be-inspiring.html

Ranks of ex-pastors grow
https://baptistnews.com/article/the-ranks-of-ex-pastors-grow-as-some-join-nones-and-dones/#.WAeZZeArLIX

Illness as metaphor: exploring the language of illness and its meaning
https://lisadiedrich.org/2016/10/02/illness-as-metaphor-2016/

Language changes to make your church mental health friendly
http://www.robert-vore.com/blog/2016/10/11/4-language-changes-to-make-your-church-more-mental-health-friendly

Assisted dying as shame relief
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/beware-of-assisted-dying-as-shame-relief-former-human-rights-commissioner-says

Advocacy: CRT wheelchair access
http://blog.ncart.us/crt-wheelchair-accessories-legislation-update/

Free webinar with Sharon McCart of DMC
http://www.prcli.org/event/free-webinar-becoming-a-barrier-free-congregation/?instance_id=18
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Click here for a list of events of interest to people in disability ministry.
UMAMD logo with the UM Cross and Flame and several disability symbols
This newsletter is generally issued weekly by the
United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities,
a caucus of the United Methodist Church.

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Friday, October 14, 2016

News and notes from AMD -- 10/14/16

October newsletter from Deaf and Hard-of-hearing ministries
http://www.umcdhm.org/news/index.html

UM Disability blog -- caring
http://umdisability.blogspot.com/2016/10/caring-isnt-weakness-diane-mettam.html

UCC inspiration porn article
http://newsacred.org/2016/08/inspiration-porn-what-it-is-and-why-it-hurts/

News team uses wheelchairs for a few hours
http://keyetv.com/news/local/cbs-austin-this-morning-team-and-archers-challenge

Sharon McCart, DMC chair, presents Pitzker Award to Naomi Mitchum (begins at 3:08). (uncaptioned) video
http://www.chapelwood.org/resources/messages/video-archives/the-spirit-of-a-christian-traditional/287/


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Click here for a list of events of interest to people in disability ministry.
UMAMD logo with the UM Cross and Flame and several disability symbols
This newsletter is generally issued weekly by the
United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities,
a caucus of the United Methodist Church.

Click here to join this e-mail list.
Visit us on the web or Facebook

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Caring isn't weakness -- Diane Mettam

“This is why I worry.”  My husband placed a memorial service bulletin in my lap and sat down.  I didn’t know what to say, but I soon found I was glad he’d opened the subject. 

The wife of one of his co-workers, a lovely young woman only 35 years of age, had passed away recently.  She had Crohn’s disease, endometriosis, and fibromyalgia, none of which are fatal.  But she was gone nonetheless. 

“Now you know why I check to see that you’re still breathing during the night,” my husband told me.  I had no idea.  Yes, I am a mess of disabling conditions and diseases, but I don’t think of them as fatal, or myself as dying.  Worse, I had never considered what my husband might be thinking or feeling. 

My dear husband travels a lot for work, and he confessed that he worries that when he comes home, he might find me deceased.  I had no idea.  How much fear he must carry with him!  I have resolved to make each homecoming a joyful experience for him, even when I’m not feeling well.  I told him I understood a bit of his fear, because he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, and until it was well-controlled, I had fears of him having a stroke while he was driving.  

I wonder how may of us with chronic illnesses realize how much our partners and caregivers worry about us, or are fearful of finding us in dire situations?  Have we ever had “that” talk with them?  It isn’t easy, but I think it’s necessary.  We don’t know what unspoken fears they might be facing, and there might be strains on our relationships because of those fears.  Speaking our anxieties out loud, giving a name to them, makes them less frightening.  It might even bring us closer. 

It may be difficult getting your partner to open up about their fears concerning you.  No one likes to admit their vulnerability, and the people caring for you, in particular, don’t want you to think they are weak.  But caring isn’t weakness; loving isn’t frailty. 

I am grateful that God gave me such a loving, caring partner (we celebrate 40 years of marriage this weekend) and I resolve once again to take the best care of myself that I can.  This gift of life and love is precious, no matter what challenges I encounter along the way. 
cross at the top of a peaked roof on a church

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.  Psalm 28:7


Dear Father/Mother God,  Thank you for taking care of us, for providing us with friends and family to be your loving hands here on earth.  Help us to remember that sometimes they worry about us more than we do, and to do our best to reassure them through our smiles, through our words, through our actions.  They are your angels on earth.  Help us be deserving of their care, and let us be angels, too.  In your blessed Son’s name we pray.   Amen.  

Friday, October 7, 2016

News and announcements from UMAMD, 10/7/2016

 (TV): I attended a webinar by this author, it could provide useful strategies for many situations facing church leaders and in advocacy:
http://www.lflegal.com/book/

Politically incorrect (disability awareness sermon)
http://revjoshpawelek.org/are-your-politically-correct/

NYT disability series: worth living
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/05/opinion/a-disabled-life-is-a-life-worth-living.html

Disability positions of presidential candidates, compiled by Complex Child
http://complexchild.org/articles/2016-articles/october/2016-presidential-election/

Book by Laura Bratton, who presented at our last meeting:
http://www.ubiglobal.org/book/

Speechless (from Lawrence Carter-Long)
http://www.upworthy.com/how-abcs-speechless-is-changing-attitudes-about-disability?c=hpstream

Mental Illness: a UMC theological statement
http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/ministries-in-mental-illness

Advocacy, Wheel:Life, complex rehab technology funding
http://wheel-life.org/act-now-medicare-cuts-to-crt-will-impact-your-wheelchair-access/

Reminder: Disability Committee Ministries free newsletter signup
http://www.umdisabilityministries.org/join.html
--

Click here for a list of events of interest to people in disability ministry.
UMAMD logo with the UM Cross and Flame and several disability symbols
This newsletter is generally issued weekly by the
United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities,
a caucus of the United Methodist Church.

Click here to join this e-mail list.
Visit us on the web or Facebook.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Supporting Those with Grief and Loss During the Holidays -- Rev. Leo Yates, Jr.



Supporting Those with Grief and Loss During the Holidays
By Rev. Leo Yates, Jr.

For many of us, October is the doorway to holiday season. Travel plans begin to be organized, Christmas shopping is begun, requests for time off from work during the holidays are made, and with holiday-related activities are planned by those looking forward to the festivities. However, for some, the holidays are a stark reminder of the loss of loved ones who will not be around to join festivities.
The holiday season, while celebrated by many, can result in a sense of dread by those who feel that the holidays remind them of being alone or what could have been (with the loved one still being around). The sad reality is grief is a part of life. The factors that affect one's grief, making it more intense or severe, can include, but are not limited to, (a) the type of loss (e.g., health or divorce), (b) the type of emotional attachment (e.g., a widow who was married for 50 years), (c) the type of death (e.g., Suicide), and (d) possible compounded loss (e.g., multiple losses near the same time). The more significant the loss, the more intense the grief.
Sometimes culture can play a part in how a person mourns, perhaps suppressing the grief, or cultural practices can be part of the reason people mask their grief from others. For example, in American culture, many men do not visibly express their grief. In Mexican culture, they remember and commemorate loved ones who have passed on November 1st. Mental health professionals are in agreement that processing the loss is healthy and needed.
Loss doesn't have to necessarily be that of a loved one. As loss can represent many things, such as a job, a home, financial stability, or the loss of a cherished dream, among other significant realities. It shouldn't be surprising that many people walk around with many losses, yet without acknowledging them. This happens, in part, because we have internalized social beliefs of "just shrug it off" and "pull up your boot straps and move on." This isn't a healthy attitude because we may not be grieving the loss. Suppressing loss or avoiding the grief can lead to physical ailments (e.g., hypertension), a decline in mental health (e.g., depression), and possible substance abuse.
Most churches celebrate the holidays, with good reason, as we recognize and welcome Christ into the world; moreover, Advent can put hope back into people's lives. At the same time, we need to be sensitive of those who have difficulties with the holidays, whatever their personal reasons are. There are some tangible activities churches can consider doing during the holiday season that can support those grieving. Suggestions are:
1. Include those grieving in your weekly prayers from the pulpit and/or prayer groups.
2. Hold a Blue Christmas service (a special service for those who have difficulties with the holidays), either at your church or by having a district wide service. Cokesbury has materials for this type of service.
3. Have a daily or weekly Advent devotional that includes the remembrance of people with loss. 
4. Host a seasonal volunteer type program that helps to alleviate some of the grief (e.g., having a church group partner with other organizations or churches for either holiday or non-holiday events). In AA and NA, they promote service work as it is a great way to "get out of your head."
5. Insert in the bulletin, newsletter, or e-news the importance of keeping people and neighbors in mind or in prayer who are experiencing loss during this time of year (it’s best NOT to specify names).
6. Host a special or holiday grief support group during the holiday season.
7. Invite those experiencing loss over for a meal or on the holiday itself. Even if they say no, it shows they are cared for. Even weekly get togethers over a cup of coffee or a cup of hot chocolate can be a sign of support.
8. Host a church potluck that invites those grieving to bring memorabilia to share. This helps to acknowledge their loss and shows the church can be a part of their support system.
9. Host a holiday book club that might include readings from Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul or other meaningful books. 
10. Reach out to them by phone or email on the holiday, just to say you are thinking of them and are glad for their friendship. Sending a “Thinking of You” card can be helpful too.
It's important to respect their wishes if they do not wish to engage in holiday-related activities. Grieving is a personal and highly individual experience.
The church can be and should be a source of strength and hope that shares love, mercy, and grace to its parishioners and surrounding community. After all, the church is an extension of Christ in the world and we can help shine the light of Christ during times of darkness.
A candle lighting up a stained glass window

*-Rev. Leo Yates, Jr. is a Deacon serving in the Baltimore Washington Conference, a licensed clinical professional counselor, specializes in Deaf ministry, and is the chairperson of the Commission on Disability Concerns in the Baltimore Washington Conference.
Reference
Smith, M. and Segal, J. (2016). “Coping with Grief and Loss.” Help Guide.org. Retrieved from
     www.helpguide.org/articles/grief-loss/coping-with-grief-and-loss.htm.