UCC Disabilities Ministries’ Access Sunday resources help congregations craft a service of inclusive welcome on Oct. 12

A typical Sunday morning for an able-bodied person often includes walking up stone steps and opening with ease a heavy wooden church door. Once in the sanctuary, a seat is taken in a narrow pew, and a small-print Bible is skimmed through for the day’s Scripture lesson. Soon, the music begins playing and the sounds of the choir fill the sanctuary.

But for the 44.7 million Americans living with a disability — that is one in four people — a typical Sunday morning is anything but typical. There are the challenges of the steps, the struggle with a heavy door, the maneuvering of narrow pews, the inability to read the small-print Bible and hear the choir sing or the pastor preach.

Every second Sunday in October, the United Church of Christ invites congregations to take part in observing Access Sunday — a day to remember the very things in worship that are taken for granted.

In preparation for Access Sunday 2025, held on Oct. 12, the United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries has created a comprehensive list of resources, available here.

The resources include liturgy featuring a call to worship, prayers of the people and a children’s message. Also included are video sermon discussions delving deeply into the theological call to leave no one behind. (Click video below to watch one such discussion.)  An original song to share on that Sunday will also be available.

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