Last year, James and Sarah Kewley took on the role of ‘Inclusion Co-ordinators’ at Fulwood Free Methodist Church. James was a primary school teacher, but most recently works as an advisory teacher supporting schools to include children with additional needs. Sarah has worked in special schools and now works as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities within their own homes. They say:
“It is vital that children and adults with disabilities feel not only included, but valued and equal within the church environment. We recognise that people with autism and other additional needs might struggle to cope in this lively place so our aim is to offer a safe haven for those seeking a quiet, more structured zone. Within the church, we are raising awareness towards those with additional needs; this means supporting the leaders of different church activities such as, Toddlers, Energize, Impact, and Sunday Services, to promote inclusion. We set up a core team of people, each with a real heart and desire to enable every person with a disability to be included in church life and activities.”
Many of the adults who lead children’s and youth work have completed training with us. This raised awareness of different additional needs. We gave ‘top tip’ strategies to support inclusion, including awareness of the needs of carers, parents and siblings of the child. Our resources for ‘Energize’ (Junior Church) include a sensory tent and a visual timetable which are currently being successfully used to support children with additional needs.
We value your opinion as our team moves carefully forward. If you have any questions or ideas as to how FFMC could support you, your family or friends with disabilities then please email us at: inclusion@fulwoodfmc.net.
David Roller continues his Whole Earth Stories looking at events recorded in Luke 18:
It’s a short little door, the door into heaven. Big puffed-up people won’t fit. Seems to be some connection here between the children and the sincerity of the tax collector. 3 minutes of deep thoughts.
Pan de Vida (Bread of Life) is a charity which exists to serve the poor of Quito in Ecuador.
In a ‘normal’ week the Pan de Vida house sees over 400 men, women and children who come for physical and spiritual nourishment. On 16th April 2016 a severe earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, struck the Pacific coastal region of Ecuador. As a result:
660 people lost their lives.
73,000 people were displaced of whom 33,000 remain homeless.
7,000 buildings were destroyed and 560 schools have been damaged.
The earthquake caused massive destruction to the coastal areas and several strong aftershocks. Many hundreds of people now live outdoors in makeshift tents with no protection against mosquitoes or the heat. They have no running water or sanitation and very little food.
Pan de Vida immediately called for emergency supplies and food from their supporters and contacts. Two loads of food, water and other essentials were dispatched during May to the earthquake zone. The costs were met by specific donations. The aid was distributed through Pan de Vida’s contacts with local churches in the area. 692 families have received help and 1319 ’emergency kits’ (food, water, nappies and other baby items) were distributed.
The VISA team from Fulwood will help to distribute another shipment when they visit the area in August. They will join a group of teenagers from Quito with whom they will run a short children’s programme for displaced youngsters.
2016 is proving to be a very busy year for Cedar House. If current trends continue, we will have seen more new clients than ever this year. Cedar House offers counselling to approximately 120 different clients, each one offered up to 18 sessions.
Counselling gives opportunity for clients to be heard as long-buried difficulties are brought into the light. Clients with recent traumas and loss can feel very isolated and in darkness. At Cedar House clients are not told what to do, but have the chance to overcome their problems by working through them with their counsellor.
Far from being cold and clinical, Cedar House is described as a calm, friendly and tranquil place. Clients are often surprised to be offered a cup of tea or coffee while they wait in a comfortable room. Most clients and volunteers tell us how different we are to other services they have experienced. We believe this difference is because the presence of the Holy Spirit is at work through us, bringing the light of Christ into the darkness.
Cedar House welcomes trainee counsellors from all over the North West. Students from Southport, Lancaster, Blackburn, as well as from Preston College and UCLan work with us, 24 of them at the last count! We are often told we are one of the best places to do a placement because we are so supportive and well organised.
Cedar House has a wonderful team of volunteer counsellors, client assessors and welcomers, we couldn’t do this work on our very limited income without their dedication.
We are so grateful that Fulwood Free Methodist Church supports us with funding from the Global Partnerships Budget. Thank you for helping us continue this much needed work.
Bono, the lead singer of U2, sits down with Eugene Peterson, the author of the popular Bible translation The Message, to talk about the Psalms.
“As a songwriter it’s very clear to me that Eugene Peterson is a poet as well as a scholar. He brings the musicality to God’s Word that I’m sure was always there.” Bono, Grammy award-winning artist and lead singer of U2.
“Bono is singing to the very people I did this work for. I feel that we are allies in this. He is helping get me and the Message to the very people Jesus spent much of his time with.” Eugene Peterson, beloved author, pastor, and writer of The Message.
The film is produced by Fuller Theological Seminary’s Fuller Studio.
Counselling gives opportunity for clients to be heard as long-buried difficulties are brought into the light. Clients with recent traumas and loss can feel very isolated and in darkness. At Cedar House clients are not told what to do, but have the chance to overcome their problems by working through them with their counsellor.
Cedar House has a wonderful team of volunteer counsellors, client assessors and welcomers, we couldn’t do this work on our very limited income without their dedication.
