All together -- Tim Vermande

Indiana observes Disability Awareness Month during March. The Disability Concerns Team of the Indiana Conference has designated March 22 as Disability Awareness Sunday for its churches. The following sermon starter is part of the materials available at the conference website (www.inumc.org).

John 12:20-33

In the lectionary passage for Lent 5, we are reminded that the season is a time for renewal of our faith. We often do this through spiritual disciplines that look toward simplifying or re-focusing on the primary elements of our faith and practice. As we approach Indiana’s statewide Disability Month in March and conference-wide Disability Sunday in the season of Lent, we are near the climactic point of the gospel, and the lectionary turns to the impending death of Jesus.

In this chapter, Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem. In the preceding chapter, the Sanhedrin (ruling religious council) has decided to seek the death of Jesus. In response, Jesus withdraws with his disciples to a remote village. As Passover approached, Jesus went to Bethany, where he had raised Lazarus from the dead, and the place where the opposition coalesced. John writes what we would today call an evangelistic tract, highlighting an ongoing conflict belief and unbelief. In the lectionary, the sequence points to the passion narrative of Lent 6.

This death is increasingly portrayed as a battle between the powers of the world and the power of God. On our side of the resurrection, we know the story and can take comfort that God’s power was victorious. But on the side of those who lived through it, this was a time of intense conflict and doubt. Even Peter denied that he was one of those Galileans who knew Jesus. People were pitted against each other, as were beliefs and power systems.

And yet Jesus looks to what is to come, in a statement that carries great meaning for people with disabilities, who have often been excluded from the church. In John 12.32, Jesus states that “when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” The Disability Ministries team believes that the hallmark of a church is inclusion. This is not merely the evangelization of an unreached target group, but a belief that Jesus does indeed bring everyone to him. We are not engaged in ministry “to” but ministry “with” that strengthens the body of Christ by bringing many gifts, abilities, and graces into the mix that is the church. Just as God created us in variety, we come together in variety. We are no longer abled, disabled: as Paul reminds us in Galatians 3.28, in Christ the old distinctions are gone, and the church is complete and enriched by the various gifts that come from people of all physical, mental, and developmental abilities.

What better time to proclaim this inclusion of all abilities than the day of preparation for the passion?

Moving Mountains (and trucks) -- Diane Mettam

I did it.  I moved a truck!  No, I didn’t wish it away, or pick it up, or push it.  I used my voice, and my logic, the law, and my sense of justice and fair play.

Recently I went to my credit union to conduct some business and there was a large truck parked perpendicular to the only handicapped parking space and cross-hatch loading area.  There was ample space in front of the other businesses in the mini strip mall, and across the parking lot, but the truck chose to park there because someone in it was installing a new ATM. 

I had to park across the parking lot, which is always dangerous, and was more so in this case because the truck was also blocking part of the access into the parking lot.  I try never to park away from the building which I am entering because I am not visible to drivers when I am in my chair, and Eureka has had at least two fatal accidents involving wheelchair users in the past year. 

I spoke to the driver’s assistant, who apologized for taking the space, but said he couldn’t do anything.  The driver, who was in charge, said he “had to park there” because the machine was heavy.  I asked to see his placard or license plate giving him permission to park in a blue space, and then I started taking pictures.  He continued stating that he had the right to take that space, and I continued taking photos. 

When I went into the credit union, I asked the teller if he had called the police department to report the illegal parking.  He had not.  At that point the branch manager came out, and I asked her the same question.  She had not called, either.  I explained the law to her, and why it was important to me.  Besides being a matter of law, it’s a matter of safety.  She went out and told the driver he would have to move the truck to free up the parking space.  Victory!

I am not one to confront people, at least not on my own behalf.  I am ready in a heartbeat to intercede on behalf of someone else, but for some reason I am silent when it comes to me.  So I thought this was a double victory.  I think those of us who need those blue parking spaces have seen similar abuses, and perhaps we have shrugged our shoulders and said, “Oh, well.”  Perhaps it’s time we all gird our loins and protest.  In my case, the business owner’s concern for a customer’s safety was the deciding factor.

“Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.”  Proverbs 25:15

Dear Lord, Give us the courage to speak out for what is right, and the wisdom to use the right words.  Help us to know when to stand our ground, and when to compromise.  Thank you for the examples we find in Your living words, our holy scriptures.  Amen.

Disability economics - Diane Mettam

Have you had this happen?  Your wheelchair needs repairs, and the cost is almost a quarter of what the chair cost?  Or your wheelchair van needs service, and the cost is in the thousands of dollars?  Where do you go for help?  Is there help? 

Last week my husband and I drove to our nearest mobility vehicle dealer and service center, six hours away.  They are very reputable, and very hospitable.  But we learned my van needs a new ramp motor and a new controller, for a total of $1,800.  That’s on top of the $750 for a new CD player, which was necessary to keep the GPS system up-to-date.  Unfortunately, the vehicle’s CD player is interconnected with the GPS and DVD, and you just can’t go to Best Buy or another place and pop in another unit.  The entire center dash unit had to be pulled out and sent away for repair. 

We were fortunate that we had been squirreling away some money for a “rainy day.”  We just didn’t figure the rains would come so soon.  And what if another storm comes?  My chair, like my van, is out of warranty, and seems to consume batteries.  The local medical supply store leaves a lot to be desired.  The Sears store sells batteries with a 90-day warranty, and that’s how long they lasted.  The batteries I ordered online have a six-month warranty, and it’s getting close.  A friend thinks maybe I need a new controller.  Heaven forbid!

I’m wondering how many of us have had similar occurrences.  Have you had good luck with particular suppliers, or bad luck?  Are there funding sources out there that we should know about?  Perhaps we could set up an information hub to share resources.   As I remarked on a Facebook post, “It ain’t cheap being disabled.”  But perhaps there are ways we can save a little money, and heartbreak. 

I’m happy to set up a page on my blog site for money-saving ideas and resources.  If you have some to share, please let me know, and we can share them with our brothers and sisters.  The e-mail address is umcdisabilityconnections@gmail.com.

“for gaining wisdom and instruction;

    for understanding words of insight;

for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,

    doing what is right and just and fair. . .

let the wise listen and add to their learning,

    and let the discerning get guidance”  Proverbs 1:2,3,5

 

Dear Father God, We know that like the lilies of the field, and the birds of the air, we should not worry about our daily needs.  Yet, being human, we cannot keep from worrying.  Help us remember that one way you provide for us is by giving us resources we can share with each other.  Thank you for this network of friends that lifts one another up in friendship and prayer.  Amen.