This book made me feel seen. As a disabled person, I have rarely heard stories like mine told in church or theology. So this profound, prophetic book was powerful reading for me. Through engaging narrative theology, Dr Kenny shares heartbreaking stories of disability injustice, reflects on her lived experience in the light of disabled saints […]
At the Gates: Disability, Justice and the Churches is a seminal and vital read for all, including clergy, lay workers, congregations and those who work with disabled and neurodivergent people in any manner. Written by Dr Naomi Jacobs and Emily Richardson, this book provides an insight to the voices of disabled and neurodivergent people’s stories […]
I first came to Halas, a Church of England parish of 5 churches in and around Halesowen, in July last year, as their curate. Although newly ordained, I had been involved in active ministry in various roles for 9 years. During those years I witnessed discrimination in the church against women and LGBTQ+ people. As […]
The promotion of this book has been extensive on social media and I was very much looking forward to reading it. The fact that I read it in three sittings, rather than my normal 2-3 months says a lot about the very readable flow and the engaging nature of Charlie’s analysis of church inclusion and […]
I have been a regional ambassador for IC in North London since 2013. I first got involved with IC when my vicar, in response to my ‘going on about’ trying to set up specific inclusive worship services for people with learning disabilities, said, “You sound like just the kind of person to become an ‘Inclusive […]
Church of the Ascension, Wall Heath John 16: 12-15 and Proverbs 8:1-4 & 22-31 Today is Trinity Sunday, and the readings are about Wisdom. Or are they about the Holy Spirit, as per the John passage? Or perhaps some people would even interpret the Proverbs passage as being about Jesus. There’s certainly a link between […]
There used to be a song which I recall from my younger days… ‘get right to the point…!’ (It wasn’t a Christian version and nor was I then.). Oddly, it pops into my head quite often. I’ve no idea where I heard it but I recall (only) that line very well.. Being a chaplain in […]
Good afternoon Synod members. I’m Fiona MacMillan and, like many of you, I’m a new member of Synod. I’m also a trustee of Inclusive Church, chair the Disability Advisory Group at St Martin in the Fields and lead the planning team for an annual conference on disability and church which has been running since 2012. […]
It feels strange to be speaking about this booklet here and now. I had to go back and read the contents, including things I had written. We took this booklet to Greenbelt in 2019. It feels like another world. Gathering, mingling, sharing in person. And yet, when I reflect on the last two years, I […]
‘In God we have a new dignity and God calls us to fullness of life’. My friends, these are the words that conclude the introduction to the Common Worship baptism service. These are the words written by our Church. These words are a call upon the church to invest in each and every person, each […]