Meeting over the Internet on March 27, the United Church of Christ Board took up several matters related to the denomination’s General Synod, including a "behavioral covenant" for the exhibit hall, possible modifications to how resolutions are handled, and the 2021 theme and logo.

Affirming democratic principles in an emerging global economy
A Resolution adopted by General Synod XXI (1997)

Whereas, The United Church of Christ has spoken consistently for a biblically-based and just approach to economic relationships nationally and internationally; and

Whereas, national and international economic changes today affect the traditions and values of civil liberties and political democracy in the United States and around the world;

Therefore, Be It Resolved that the Twenty-first General Synod reaffirms the heritage of the United Church of Christ as an advocate for just, democratic, participatory and inclusive economic policies in both public and private sectors, including:

the responsibility of multinational corporations and international financial institutions to respect and hold themselves accountable to fundamental human rights, particularly with regard to child labor, employment of minorities, and wages that are adequate for local costs of living;

the responsibility of workers to organize for collective bargaining with employers regarding wages, benefits, and working conditions, and the responsibility of employers to respect not only worker rights but also workersÍ dignity, and to create and maintain a climate conducive to the workersÍ autonomous decision to organize;

the responsibility of collective bargaining units, such as unions, to respect their members and encourage their participation in further efforts to democratize, to respect and hold themselves accountable to fundamental human rights, and to reform and expand the labor movement domestically and abroad;

the responsibility of governments at all levels to foster a more democratic system by seeking balance among the rights and interests of citizens, workers, and corporations; and to support existing as well as to facilitate the creation of new participatory community institutions for developing jobs and caring for people;

the responsibility of businesses, governments, and communities to share responsibility for protecting the earthÍs environment;

the responsibility of businesses, governments, and communities to support affirmative action for all who have traditionally been denied rights in the workplace;

the responsibility of all citizens to be informed participants in the political process at all levels and to form community organizations and associations to express common interests and achieve common goals in such areas as economic planning, neighborhood development, public education, and health care;

the responsibility of religious bodies to provide moral and ethical guidance for individuals and society in ways that respect other religious traditions and resist authoritarian powers and principalities wherever they appear;

the responsibility of The United Church of Christ in covenant with all churches and church institutions to practice principles of economic democracy which foster justice and participation in its own ministries; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Twenty-first General Synod of The United Church of Christ commends this resolution to the churches, associations, conferences, instrumentalities, and institutions of The United Church of Christ as a basis for their own policies and their ministries of social witness.

Subject to the availability of funds.

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST CALLED TO BE AN ANTI-RACIST CHURCH

ADOPTED 2003 GENERAL SYNOD MULTIRACIAL/MULTICULTURAL ADDENDUM TO 1993 PRONOUNCEMENT AND PROPOSAL FOR ACTION

WHEREAS, racism is rooted in a belief of the

superiority of whiteness and bestows benefits,

unearned rights, rewards, opportunities,

advantages, access, and privilege on Europeans

and European descendants; and

WHEREAS, the reactions of people of color to

racism are internalized through destructive

patterns of feelings and behaviors impacting

their physical, emotional, and mental health and

their spiritual and familial relationships; and

WHEREAS, through institutionalized racism,

laws, customs, traditions, and practices

systemically foster inequalities; and

WHEREAS, the United Nations World

Conference against Racism, Racial

Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related

Intolerance affirmed that racism has historically

through imperialism and colonization created an

unequal world order and power balance with

present global implications impacting

governments, systems, and institutions; and

WHEREAS, the denomination has shown

leadership among many UnitedChurch of Christ

conferences, associations, and local

congregations by initiating innovative antiracism

programs, by developing anti-racism

facilitators, and in general have made

dismantling racism a priority, there is still much

to be done. As we continue in this effort, the

work we do must reflect the historical and

present experiences and stories of all peoples

impacted by racism. We must work from a

paradigm reflective of the historical

relationships of racial and ethnic groups and

racial oppression within the UnitedChurch of

Christ and society; and

WHEREAS, the United States finds itself in

increased racial unrest during this period after

the tragedy of September 11, 2001. New studies

show that hate crimes and blatant acts of racial

violence doubled in number during the last half

of 2002 and are continuing to rise. These

outward acts, combined with continued

institutional racism, emphasize the need for antiracism

mobilization within church and society as

we seek to do justice; and

WHEREAS, there are growing movements of

peace that have people of all races, backgrounds,

and ages involved, urging us to expand our

knowledge of what racism is and study its

ramifications on all people; and

WHEREAS, General Synods of the United

Church of Christ have, since 1963, voted eleven

resolutions, statements, and pronouncements

denouncing racism, and it is time to honor

mandates and expectations of this body and of

the church.

THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the

United Church of Christ is called to be an antiracist

church and that we encourage all

Conferences and Associations and local

churches of the UnitedChurch of Christ to adopt

anti-racism mandates, including policy that

encourages anti-racism programs for all United

Church of Christ staff and volunteers; and

LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that

Conferences and Associations and local

churches facilitate programs within their

churches that would examine both historic and

contemporary forms of racism and its effects and

that the programs be made available to the

churches; and

LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that

Justice and Witness Ministries provides

leadership in the development and

implementation of programs to dismantle

racism, working in partnership with the

Collegium, Covenanted Ministries, Affiliated

Ministries, Associated Ministries, Conferences,

Associations and local churches in developing

appropriately trained anti-racism facilitators; and

LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the

Covenanted Ministries of the United Church of

Christ work in concert to dismantle racism in

church and in society and partner with

Conferences and Associations in sharing

resources and costs associated with doing antiracism

work.

LET IT BE FINALLY RESOLVED, that the

Justice and Witness Ministries will report the

progress of the development and implementation

of these programs at the Twenty-fifth General

Synod.

Funding for the implementation of this

resolution will be made in accordance with the

overall mandates of the affected agencies and

the funds available.

Multiracial and Multicultural Church 

Resolution "Statement of Christian Conviction of the Proposed Pronouncement Calling the United Church of Christ to be a Multiracial and Multicultural Church"

93-GS-33 VOTED: The Nineteenth General Synod adopts the "Statement of Christian Conviction of the Proposed Pronouncement Calling the United Church of Christ to be a Multiracial and Multicultural Church."

Statement of Christian Conviction of the Proposed Pronouncement Calling the United Church of Christ to be a Multiracial and Multicultural Church

IV. STATEMENT OF CHRISTIAN CONVICTION

A. The Nineteenth General Synod calls upon the United Church of Christ in all its settings to be a true multiracial and multicultural church. A multiracial and multicultural church confesses and acts out its faith in the one sovereign God who through Jesus Christ binds in covenant faithful people of all races, ethnicities and cultures. A multiracial and multicultural church embodies these diversities as gifts to the human family and rejoices in the variety of God's grace.

B. The Nineteenth General Synod recognizes the following as marks of a multiracial and multicultural church:

1. CONFESSIONAL: A multiracial and multicultural church is called by God through Jesus Christ to acknowledge and confess its sins of racism and to repent and refrain from all acts of racial discrimination and bigotry.

2. THEOLOGICAL: A multiracial and multicultural church affirms Christian unity while celebrating the theological and liturgical richness that arises from its racial and ethnic diversity.

3. MISSION: A multiracial and multicultural church is called to participate in God's mission of doing justice, loving kindness and walking humbly with God through Christ in all communities with all peoples in all places.

4. INCLUSIVE MINISTRY: A multiracial and multicultural church uses an inclusive and equitable procedure for the calling, placement and standing of ministers in the church while providing equal access to employment in all settings of the church: locally, regionally, nationally, globally and ecumenically.

5. RACIAL JUSTICE STRUCTURE: A multiracial and multicultural church has a full-time national racial justice agency that seeks to coordinate programmatic strategies and involve the entire membership of the church in making racial justice a reality in church and society.

6. MONITORING BODY: A multiracial and multicultural church has a racial and ethnic body to monitor all settings of the church on issues of racial and ethnic inclusivity in the ministry, mission and programs.

7. PROPHETIC ADVOCACY: A multiracial and multicultural church engages in effective prophetic advocacy and public policy development on the issues of racial, social, economic and environmental justice with particular concern as to how these issues impact the quality of life of people of color communities.

8. MULTILINGUAL: A multiracial and multicultural church supports the development and dissemination of multilingual resources for use throughout the church and facilitates the translation of all official church documents such as the constitution and bylaws, creeds or statements of faith into languages that are spoken fluently in the local churches.

9. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMMITMENT: A multiracial and multicultural church affirms acommitment to accomplish specific affirmative action goals and objectives.

10. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, EVANGELISM, AND NEW CHURCH DEVELOPMENT: Amultiracial and multicultural church develops, supports and implements strategies concerning evangelism and new church development in racial and ethnic communities; challenges and invites every member of local congregations to move beyond traditional comfort zones in living out God's multiracial and multicultural mandate; and prepares Christian education resources relevant to the diversity of racial and ethnic Christian faith traditions and cultures within the church.

11. SEMINARY TRAINING: A multiracial and multicultural church encourages related seminaries knowledge concerning the diversity of cultural heritages and theological traditions of the racial and ethnic constituencies of the church.

12. FAITHFUL AND EQUITABLE STEWARDSHIP: A multiracial and multicultural church plans and implements strategies to help ensure and promote a faithful and equitable stewardship and sharing of the financial resources of the church in regard to the empowerment of all local churches, and in particular the empowerment of local racial and ethnic congregations that have been marginalized due to racial discrimination in society.

15. RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING A PROPOSAL FOR ACTION ON CALLINGTHE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST TO BE A MULTIRACIAL AND MULTICULTURALCHURCH

Assistant Moderator Malaski asked Ms. Bagley to continue with the report of Committee One. Ms. Bagley asked the delegates to find the appropriate materials in Report Pack C. She explained that, in addition to the Pronouncement, the Committee was assigned the Proposal for Action and the resolution entitled Resolution of "Affirmation of Previous Declarations, Pronouncements, Resolutions and Proposals for Action Pertaining to Institutional Racism and a Request to Implement the Recommendations of the Pastoral Letter on Contemporary Racism Throughout the United Church of Christ." Ms. Bagley stated that many of the issues the Committee discussed were contained in both the Resolution and the Proposal for Action. Consequently, after contacting the submitters of both pieces of business, the Resolution was consolidated into the Proposal for Action. She then spoke to the recommendations.

The Rev. Ronald Kurtz proposed a friendly amendment to add the Stewardship Council to #11 of the directional statement. The committee accepted the amendment.

Mr. Robert Sandman (OH) proposed the following amendment to the directional statement: To insert a paragraph after paragraph 2, section 3, Directional Statement. The paragraph to read: Believes furthermore that when each member and setting of the United Church of Christ acknowledges and confesses the sins of racism, God does forgive us and does love us still. God's forgiveness, however, is no license to go and sin again. Instead, this state of forgiveness and love is the beginning of the journey toward learning to become a multiracial and multicultural church.

Mr. Sandman spoke to the amendment. A discussion and vote followed.

93-GS-34 VOTED: The Nineteenth General Synod defeats the amendment.

There was more discussion regarding the original recommendation, and some questions of clarification were asked.

93-GS-35 VOTED: The Nineteenth General Synod adopts the "Recommendations Regarding a Proposal for Action on Calling the United Church of Christ to be a Multiracial and Multicultural Church." as amended.

A PROPOSAL FOR ACTION ON CALLING THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST TO BE A MULTIRACIAL AND MULTICULTURAL CHURCH

Ill. DIRECTIONAL STATEMENT

Whereas the Nineteenth General Synod has adopted the Pronouncement on Calling the United Church of Christ to be a Multiracial and Multicultural Church, and whereas General Synod in the Statement of Christian Conviction recognized the marks of a multiracial and multicultural church, the Nineteenth General Synod:

1. Calls upon the United Church of Christ in all its settings to be a true multiracial and multicultural church and to affirm a commitment to achieve this goal;

2. Calls upon all members, congregations, associations, conferences, instrumentalities, other national bodies, and related institutions of the United Church of Christ to acknowledge and confess faithfully their sins of racism, to repent and refrain from all acts of racial discrimination and bigotry, to confront indifference, ignorance and neglect, and to participate in deliberate study and action to stem the resurgent tide of racism in American society by identifying the root causes of racism as well as other forms of discrimination and oppressive acts that preclude our fulfillment of our covenant with God and each ocher;

3. Calls upon all members, congregations, associations, conferences, instrumentalities, other national bodies and related institutions of the United Church of Christ to affirm consistently the necessity of Christian unity while celebrating the theological and liturgical richness that arises from the racial and ethnic diversity of the United Church of Christ; and to participate actively in God's mission of doing justice, loving kindness and walking humbly with God in all communities with all peoples in all places;

4. Calls upon all congregations, associations, conferences, instrumentalities, other national bodies, related institutions and future General Synods of the United Church of Christ consciously to elect, now and evermore, significant numbers of persons of all races, ethnicities and cultures to policy- making positions throughout the church;

5. Calls for an ethic of accountability in our relationships with each other in all settings of the church by empowering the national instrumentalities to collaborate and work collectively to develop and implement the study and action process of the "Pastoral Letter on Contemporary Racism" throughout the United Church of Christ; to incorporate the concern for institutional racism in all future plans and program implementation, and to request Council of Racial and Ethnic Ministries (COREM) to monitor continually the implementation of this Proposal for Action throughout the United Church of Christ, reporting to each General Synod through the Executive Council on the church's efforts, progress, and status in eradicating intentional and unintentional acts of racism in church and society;

6. Calls upon the Office for Church Life and Leadership, associations, conferences, and all other pertinent local, regional and national bodies to use an inclusive and equitable procedure for the recognition of calling, determination of placement and standing of ministers in the United Church of Christ; and to ensure equal access to employment in all settings of the United Church of Christ;

7. Calls upon the Commission for Racial Justice, in close consultation with COREM and its constituent bodies, to continue to coordinate the implementation of programmatic strategies in all settings of the UCC to challenge racial injustice, discrimination, and bigotry; and to provide leadership in helping to mobilize and involve the entire membership of the UCC to make racial justice a reality for all peoples in church and society;

8. Calls upon the Office for Church in Society, Commission for Racial Justice, Coordinating Center for Women, United Church Board for Homeland Ministries, United Church Board for World Ministries, other national bodies and all other settings to engage in effective prophetic advocacy and public policy development on the issues of racial, social, economic and environmental justice, in particular as to how these issues impact the quality of life of people of color communities in the United States and throughout the world; and that these bodies seek new creative opportunities toexperience the multiracial and multicultural realities of our world;

9. Calls upon all settings of the United Church of Christ to support the development and dissemination of multilingual resources for use throughout the UCC and where appropriate tofacilitate the translation of all official church documents such as the UCC Constitution and Bylaws, Statement of Faith and Statement of Mission into languages that are being spoken fluently in UCC local churches;

10. Calls upon the Executive Council and all settings of the United Church of Christ to reaffirm a commitment to accomplish the affirmative action goals and objectives that have been adopted by the General Synod; and to conduct a church-wide affirmative action audit to ascertain the current status of affirmative action within the life of the UCC;

11. Calls upon the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries, the Stewardship Council, associations and conferences, in close consultation with COREM and its constituent bodies, to develop, support and implement new programmatic strategies concerning evangelism and new church development in racial and ethnic communities across the nation, particularly in those areas undergoing rapid demographic changes with increased populations of communities of color;

12. Calls upon the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries, in close consultation with COREM and its constituent bodies, to prepare and make available Christian Education resources and materials relevant to the diversity of racial and ethnic Christian faith traditions and cultures within the United Church of Christ;

13. Calls upon the colleges and seminaries related to the United Church of Christ to expand curriculum development and educational programs to include awareness and knowledge concerning the diversity of cultural heritages and theological traditions of our multiracial and multicultural world;

14. Calls upon the Stewardship Council, Commission on Development, United Church Foundation, Pension Boards and other national bodies of the United Church of Christ to plan and implement a strategy to help ensure and promote a faithful and equitable stewardship and sharing of the financial resources of the UCC in regard to the empowerment of all local churches and in particular the empowerment of local racial and ethnic congregations that have been marginalized due to racial discrimination in society;

15. Calls upon the Office of Communication to communicate the United Church of Christ's multiracial and multicultural diversity policy and the multiracial and multicultural realities of the United Church of Christ and to promote the transition of the United Church of Christ into a truly multiracial and multicultural church; and

16. Calls upon the President of the United Church of Christ, the Secretary, the Director of Finance and Treasurer, the Executive Council, Council of Conference Ministers, Council of Instrumentality Executives, pastors and lay leaders of local congregations of the United Church of Christ to provide leadership, nurture and support towards the fulfillment of the Pronouncement and the implementation of this Proposal for Action Calling the United Church of Christ to be a Multiracial and Multicultural Church.

IV. IMPLEMENTATION

The Nineteenth General Synod directs the Commission for Racial Justice and the Office for Church in Society to coconvene an Implementation Committee which will coordinate the implementation of this Proposal for Action and requests a report to be made to all subsequent General Synods. The Office of the President, the Commission for Racial Justice, the Office for Church in Society. Stewardship Council, United Church Board for Homeland Ministries, United Church Board for World Ministries, the Office for Church Life and Leadership, Coordinating Center for Women, Council of Racial and Ethnic Ministries and the Council of Conference Ministers are to have representatives on the Implementation Committee.

Subject to the availability of funds.

What is the United Church of Christ Archives?

What the UCC Archives Does:

- Collects, preserves, and provides access to the records of the UCC from around the time of the creating Union in 1957 onward. 

- Acts as the office of records management for the national setting of the denomination.

- Provides guidance for how to manage current and historical records to all settings of the denomination.

What is in the UCC Archives:

The records, photographs, resources, and objects from around the time of the creating Union in 1957 onward.

A selection of a few of the vast resources include:

- Records from the national offices
        - UCC Yearbooks
        - General Synod Minutes
        - Executive Council Minutes
        - Resources developed by national offices
        - Documentation about the formation of the UCC
        - Records of projects and innitiatives

- Collections from national UCC organizations, committees, councils and groups
        - Council for Health and Human Services
        - UCC Historical Council

- Personal papers of people involved in the work of the national setting of the denomination
        - Rev. Arthur Clyde's collection of hymnals
        - Rev. Harold Wilke's papers documenting his work in the UCC

- Conference publications and newsletters

- Written histories of local churches, associations, conferences, and other UCC-related ministries

On-Line Resources

Archival Finding Aids

Electronic versions of General Synod Minutes, The Constitution and Bylaws and New Conversations are now available at rescarta.ucc.org.

All documents are searchable by keyword, and are complete to present. 

 Partnerships with other Historical Organizations:

The UCC Archives works closely with other archives that hold the records of the denominations that united to form the UCC. Please visit the Historical Council page to find more information about those institutions. 

Somewhere in the post-General Synod clamor about "marriage equality" and "economic leverage," a few frustrated voices wondered aloud how their equally weighty resolution on disability ministries could win delegates' overwhelming approval but miss the wider church's spotlight.

Ministry with and among those with physical, mental and developmental disabilities needs more than mere lip service, they say. Real work is needed across the church.

"We want the initials A2A [accessible to all] right up there alongside ONA [open and affirming] and M&M [multiracial, multicultural]," the Rev. Grant F. Sontag of Mountain View, Calif., wrote to United Church News last year. "Our presence, our witness and our ministry are essential to the life of the whole UCC and not just a part of it."

To the detriment of the church's self-proclaimed "extravagant welcome," argues Sontag and others, the UCC has not given enough energy to accessibility issues. But the solution, they insist, is not competition with other justice movements, but a multi-pronged emphasis on inclusive evangelism.

"We treasure the church's up-front approach on major social issues," says the Rev. David Denham, pastor of Bethel UCC in Arlington, Va., and UCC Disabilities Ministries consultant, "but the time has come for the church to lead on this issue, just as it has on many other key issues throughout our history.

"My greatest frustration is that we do not give parallel attention to A2A as we do M&M and ONA," Denham says. "The disability issue crosses all races, cultures and sexual orientations. Disability is not a separate issue. It is woven into the fabric of our humanity. I feel and observe that we miss these things as a church."

Since General Synod, Denham says, the UCC Disability Ministry (UCCDM) has been meeting with UCC leaders "to develop a strategy to alter the course on this issue."

The approved General Synod resolution, "Called to wholeness in Christ: Becoming a church accessible to all," submitted by the Minnesota Conference, calls on UCC Conferences, Associations, congregations, seminaries, campus ministries and colleges, camps, covenanted ministries and all other UCC organizations "to become accessible to all; to embody a philosophy of inclusion and interdependence; and to support and implement the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

The resolution reaffirms and strengthens a 1995 statement that had earlier called the UCC to embrace the "spirit" of the ADA.

Ministry 'with,' not 'to'

The Rev. Jo Clare Hartsig of Wayzata, Minn., who took a lead role in writing and editing UCCDM's congregational resource, "Any Body, Everybody, Christ's Body" - published last year - says the church's mindset, above all, is what needs attention.

It's not ministry "to" persons with disabilities, she says, but ministry "with" and "by" persons with different types of abilities. Her teaching mantra? "Never about me without me."

"I guess the first thing to consider is, 'Who do we become when we become accessible to all?' says Hartsig. "We become more inclusive, more like Martin Luther King's 'beloved community.'

"The reality of disability is that it fills a spectrum," she says, "from people who have significant kinds of impairments, those with purely physical disabilities, those with learning disabilities, those with brain disorders to those with hidden - not immediately visible - disabilities, those with disabilities from birth, those with disabilities from trauma or illness, to those with the diminishments of capacities as part of aging.

"At some point or another, especially if we live long enough, most members of the UCC will acquire some kind of disability," Hartsig emphasizes.

The Rev. Dearthrice DeWitt, a UCC disabilities ministries advocate, agrees. "It is important for a minister to understand the difference between ministry to, ministry for, ministry with and ministry by people with disabilities."

Dewitt, who is African American, says his passion for disabilities ministries stems from several circumstances, but especially a life- changing friendship with a seminary classmate with cerebral palsy.

"We learned a lot from each other about disability and race," DeWitt says. "There was always humor between us as well.

"I'll never forget the time a relative visited me and made an ignorant comment about my friend," DeWitt remembers. "I was embarrassed, but did not excuse them. I acknowledged how ignorant the comment - and person - was. Now [my friend] and I can laugh about it."

DeWitt says the place for individuals and churches to start is with the celebration of "somebodiness," as he calls it, borrowing a term from his Black Church experience - "a somebodiness that is as gifted to serve themselves, me, the church and God as any of us who are temporarily able-bodied."

The Rev. Joan C. Jones, a chaplain at UCC-related Emmaus Homes in Missouri, the region's largest provider of assisted-living housing for adults with developmental disabilities, says there are plenty of resources available to help churches, if only they'd ask. The UCC's Council for Health and Human Services has 77 member institutions that offer a range of services.

"Invite us in, and let us help give some ideas about how churches can be welcoming," she says.

Jones, along with fellow chaplain the Rev. Christy May, offers weekly worship, Bible study and spiritual care at Emmaus' seven campuses across southeastern Missouri. They've developed a "spiritual life inventory" that helps them assess how Emmaus' ministry - and other ministries - can benefit from the gifts and graces of residents.

"We have the tool to interview individuals and more deeply discover what matters to them spiritually," Jones says.

Similarly, Jones suggests that churches find specific ministries that persons with disabilities might be interested in pursuing.

"They are not to be pitied," Jones insists. "They have lives with lots of potential. I learn everyday something new as long as I am willing to listen and not think that I have to teach or instruct."

Jones recalls one resident who, early on, seemed to be regularly acting out by taking others' bulletins during worship. Soon, Jones realized the Emmaus resident actually wanted to be a greeter and distribute bulletins.

"To this day, she hands them out and collects them when we're done," Jones says. "She feels part of things, and we periodically recognize and affirm her."

A commitment, not a 'check list'

The Rev. Peg Slater, the UCC's minister for diversity and inclusion, believes no one is "opposed" to the UCC's A2A commitment, but some in the church do not know where to begin.

"It seems quite overwhelming to some people when I speak with them," Slater says. "Others just want resources - a check list - but do not want to go too deep into the issue.

"Getting the church to understand that people with disabilities are just people is a primary step in becoming accessible to all," Slater says. "Many people are uncomfortable or afraid of persons with disabilities. Disability seems 'out of control.' People are afraid it is 'catchy,' people want to know what 'went wrong' or who is 'at fault' in the case of disability. Others don't want to 'hurt' disabled persons more than they are already 'hurt' or 'broken.' In many of our congregations there is a fear that people with disabilities will take 'too much of our time.'"

And then there's the practical concern about which changes a church should try to implement first.

"There is huge spectrum of disability in our midst," Slater says. "Trying to do the right thing is also overwhelming."

Hartsig observes that many evangelical churches are ahead of mainline churches when it comes to effective disabilities ministries.

"I am part of a large, interfaith inclusion group here in the Twin Cities," Hartsig says. "I have been so deeply impressed with the array and complexity of disability ministry offerings in the large, evangelical congregations around town. One church hosts support groups for families, one-on-one peer helpers for Sunday School children with disabilities, respite care, lectures, support in school settings, financial help, special needs consultation, special camp sessions, hospitality space for disability advocacy groups, social events. . Contrast this with our local council of churches - my people - which has very little to say about disability ministries, and they've been asked."

The Rev. Priscilla Bizer, vice president for development at Emmaus Homes, says many churches forget that public policy advocacy is crucial step that churches can take. Government cuts to Medicaid and Medicare dramatically impact residents at UCC facilities, as well as others with disabilities, she says.

Likewise, Jones says advocacy is often overlooked by churches as ministry.

"We need to engage congregations to do more advocacy," Jones says. "This is the most vulnerable population, along with children. It's crucial."

Changed lives

Before coming to Emmaus eight years ago, Jones was pastor of a rather-proper UCC church in Pennsylvania. But, now, in a ministry that serves persons with development disabilities, Jones has learned to appreciate the disruptions can occur in church, especially one that's accessible to all. And that's okay.

"I was very particular about the liturgy, and then I came here and that all came undone," she says. "I had to learn to accept that. I had to accept that disruption will be a fact, even though you can redirect it."

"You can either be spontaneous about it and have a sense of humor about it, or let it get it you," she says. "That's not to say it has to be chaotic, but it can be a challenge."

"But I was called here, and I love it," Jones says. "It has changed my life."

Hartsig, who was "chosen" by the disability advocacy community in 1999 when her oldest son was diagnosed with autism, says she yearns for the day "when a set of stairs in any public facility, even a church, will be looked upon as a reminder of the dark days before Universal Design."

During her 25-plus years as a justice advocate, Hartsig has approached social change as a multi-issue campaign.

"What I appreciate so much about the UCC is our alphabet soup approach to our covenanted community," Hartig says. "We are seeking to be all these things - A2A, M&M, ONA - because they all matter, we all matter. I think we can help each other along and assure ourselves that we are providing the deepest kind of welcome and sense of belonging possible."

Slater, who learned 12 years ago that she has Rheumatoid Arthritis, says her disability has taught her a lot about herself and others.

"I have learned that community is built when I need help and when I give help," Slater says. "I learned to swallow pride and develop pride in myself - as I am."