Disability Sunday September 27, 2009 “AccessAbility” Betty Funk Romans 12:4-8

The scripture that was agreed on for today is Romans 12:4-8. The book of Romans was written by Paul. Remember Paul, the guy that was converted from being a persecutor to being a follower of the Christian way. He was the one blinded on the road to Damascus. How? Why? By what? Those are all still questions with several possible answers. He is said to have “prayed to be healed” and that it did not happen and yet his writings comprise many books of our new testament. Being disabled did not stop him.

This Sunday gives us the chance to look at our hospitality toward and inclusion of all persons in the life of the church. Let me start with some facts that might help set the scene for today’s service. If it were possible to gather all the disabled people into one nation, that nation would number 650 million women, men and children. That nation would be the world’s third largest country, after China and India these are statistics from the World Health Organization. People with disabilities are trying to be included in the life of the faith community. They, too, want recognition of their values as children of God worthy of unconditional love and acceptance.

Remember the scripture at the opening, this story has been used in the church to help us understand that we to are each different with different gifts and yet we are all necessary, this includes people with disabilities. My first relationship with disability was my own development of walking paralysis at age 4. Which at the time was unexplainable, but since it was sporadic my parents adjusted until it was said that I outgrew the problem. My second memory was in the 3^rd grade when I was befriended by a girl in my class who wore braces on her legs. This friendship occurred during a time in my life when it was determined that I had a severe learning disability. On the playground however, we were equals. We played on rings and the jungle gym at our own speed, told secrets and giggled. The next time my life was profoundly affected by disability was when my niece Robin was born. Because of the severity of her birth defects they did not expect her to live and she was placed in Waverly Baby Home in Portland. My sister drove to Portland every day so that she could hold and care for her baby. With this love and attention Robin flourished against all odds. At 3 months my sister was allowed to bring her home. Many of you know Robin and the joy that she is and the gift of love that she gives to others. It was in this way I learned that love is the equalizer. Love is what makes all the parts important; “the foot”, “the arm”, “the heart”, “the head”, you, me, each of us.

If we stare at our differences we will miss seeing how we are similar. Like the bee and the ant they both have six legs but that is where it seems to be the end of how they are alike. The bee is fuzzy, the ant is smooth, the bee has wings, and most ants do not. But if we look at how they live we will see many similarities. They are both gatherers and preservers and there major success is due to community team work. The bees have particular bee members in their community equipped to gather and bees who process what has been gathered and the queen bee whose only job is to ensure the continuation of the colony. Ants have a very similar community system, and we Christians can take a lesson from these two communities on team work and the promotion for the good of the total community.

On the other hand if we focus only on our shared abilities we will miss being able to utilize the unique gifts each person possesses. Accessibility is a two way street. The way to access all the gifts of a community is through opening the lines of communication. We must educate ourselves and be unafraid to admit our shortcomings. I must be bold enough to ask hard questions and silent and patient to hear the answer. I must be willing to be vulnerable to allow others to ask questions even if they do not yet have the politically correct language. That is what love is – trust. Because we are all made in God’s image we can be open to each other.

Some of my greatest joys have come from sharing time and space with someone who did not speak nor hear my language. Our hearts communicated by the grace of God. It is by this grace of God that I have had the experiences of love, forgiveness and wellbeing that I now can stand before you and share my stories.

We have been sent into our community to love and learn from others so we can be a complete community, where people with disabilities can find the love of God. A community where we can find forgiveness. My knowledge of Morningside came 45 years ago. There was a Sunday School class located here at Morningside for children with disabilities. Robin attended that class. Although this class is no longer in existence this church responded to a calling to minister to people with disabilities then and is now being given a renewing of that call to respond with love, openness and faith. How will we as a collective community take action to this call? How will you as an individual act? We offer you an opportunity to consider your options by first attending the educational sharing that will follow this service in Herman Hall. As you learn about those who offer different abilities remember to be open to the call of God and remember how we are all His children and as you look in their eyes I challenge you to see Christ and answer God’s call with love.