The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) Board has moved forward with plans to present a new resolution regarding the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) to Annual Conference delegates. The decision took place during board meetings March 24-26 at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. The ABC Board approved a statement calling for congregations to recommit themselves to the goals of the ADA.
The resolution, titled "Commitment to Accessibility and Inclusion Resolution," urges congregations, agencies, and gatherings of the Church of the Brethren to enable all activities to be accessible so that "all may worship, serve, be served, learn, and grow in the presence of God as valued members of the Christian community."
The resolution encourages these same groups to examine physical and attitudinal barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully; to make a commitment that all existing and future denominational offices be modified or designed to follow the guidelines of the ADA; and to request that ABC continue to make resources available to assist in fulfilling these commitments.
"Even though our denomination has worked intentionally to allow people with disabilities to more readily worship within our buildings, this newest resolution points out that more work is still needed to ensure that people with disabilities are incorporated into the fabric of our church," said Kathy Reid, ABC executive director and staff for the Disabilities Ministry. The Disabilities Ministry drafted the resolution and brought it to the ABC Board for approval.
The ABC Board also heard from three representatives it appointed to the Governing Council of Advocate Bethany, a Chicago hospital that began in conjunction with Bethany Theological Seminary when it was located in Chicago. Advocate Bethany plans to become a specialty hospital providing longterm acute care, a move that has been scrutinized in Chicago-area newspapers since it was announced in January.
John Cassel and Janine Katonah, both of York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard, Ill., and Jan Lugibihl, executive director of Bethany Brethren Community Center based at First Church of the Brethren in Chicago, serve on the Governing Council since being appointed by ABC as representatives of the Church of the Brethren. Their presentation identified that Advocate Bethany has not been utilized fully by those in the neighborhood and that its move toward becoming a specialty hospital for longterm acute care is a needed by other area hospitals.
In other business, the board:
- Participated in a board development session led by Jeff Shireman, CEO of Lebanon Valley Brethren Home in Palmyra, Pa., that explored the "Green House" model of care offering de-institutionalized care where groups of 10-12 residents live in an independent home.
- Learned of several joint projects involving the Fellowship of Brethren Homes and the Peace Church Initiatives, a nonprofit corporation that is an outgrowth of the collaboration between ABC, Friends Services for the Aging, and Mennonite Health Services Alliance. The programs include a new venture in offering longterm care insurance for the denomination and anyone associated with the homes.
- Learned that some ABC staff members have been trained to lead a series of board development seminars, "Called to God's Work." These training modules are available to all boards of churches, districts, and agencies of the denomination.
- Heard reports about ABC ministries including upcoming events: National Older Adult Conference Sept. 4-8 at Lake Junaluska (N.C.) Assembly, and the Annual Forum for CEOs and staff of Brethren Retirement Centers on May 4-6 at the Cedars of McPherson, Kan.
- Recognized the contributions of Scott Douglas, who resigned as director of Older Adult Ministry effective June 1.
For more information about the Association of Brethren Caregivers go to www.brethren.org/abc.
Source: 3/29/2006 Newsline
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