Diversity in Unity: Imagining Our Faith Communities Differently

Bridge Disability Ministries invites you to a conference on inclusion and belonging for faith community leaders, staff & lay people, parents & caregivers, educators & self-advocates. Download flier

Presented by Bridge Disability Ministries; supported by: Archdiocese of Seattle; Calvin Institute; CLC Network; Eagle Wings Ministries; and our Beacon Churches: Advent Anglican Church, Highland Covenant Church, Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Newport Presbyterian Church, and St. Andrew Presbyterian Church.

Two sessions will cover:
The 3 P’s of Inclusive Community. Be inspired by a scriptural Perspective on individuals and communities, then we look at Participation for all, and finally, Personalization for individuals or families with areas of need that require significant support.

Universal Design for Worship. We will explore ways we can design our spaces, both physical and attitudinal, for our communities to be a place of belonging for all. There will be significant discussion on how cultural understanding impacts this process.

The day also includes lunch, stories of inclusion and belonging, and an opportunity to network.

Presenters are:
Barbara Newman, MA. For over 30 years, Barbara J. Newman has endeavored to create communities of inclusion through CLC Network where she serves as the director of church services. Co-administrating inclusive education at Zeeland Christian School allows her to stay on top of best practices which she shares at schools and churches nationwide and in her books and practical resources, including Autism and Your Church, Helping Kids Include Kids with Disabilities, Nuts & Bolts of Inclusive Education, and her latest title, Accessible Gospel, Inclusive Worship.

Maria Cornou, Ph.D. María Eugenia Cornou is Program Manager for International and Intercultural Learning for the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. She is from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she taught biblical studies and was administrative director at International Baptist Theological Seminary. Maria holds a PhD in theology from the Free University of Amsterdam on the topic of Protestant worship in Argentina as well as degrees in public accounting and theology. Her unique background and global experience lend her keen insight into an understanding of inclusion based on creative purpose.