Dear AGAC friends,
16th June is Disability Awareness Sunday. This year’s theme is “Building the Kingdom of God: Expect the unexpected.” Many of us haven’t had the opportunity to get to know a person living with a disability so it can be difficult to understand or be aware of what life with a disability can be like. According to statistics, however, one in four of people in New Zealand are disabled – through having a physical, intellectual, learning, sight, hearing, or psychological impairment. My dear friend, the Revd. Vicki, Terrell, a disability ministry educator in the diocese, who has lived with Cerebral Palsy, says this:
“Disabled people are often considered having nothing much to contribute to community. However disabled people face many challenges living in the world not built for us. Through this process we develop skills such as teamwork, adaptability and creativity which are vital in community building.”
We are invited to celebrate the skills that we all bring to building the Kingdom of God in the places where we are, and expect the unexpected together with other Anglican Churches across the nation. But any Sunday can be Disability Awareness Sunday! Let’s respond to this invitation sincerely. If you want to know more about Disability awareness Sunday, please visit the following;
Under his wings,
Yukiko
