Jason Grieg to Serve Disabilities Ministry

Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADNet) announced the appointment of Jason Grieg as a Student Associate for the 2011-12 academic year. Jason is working toward a Master of Divinity degree majoring in theology and ethics at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana.

Jason's work with ADNet brings the perspective of persons with developmental disabilities into the center of Christian theological reflection. He wants to end the deep silence within systematic theology and Christian ethics about people with cognitive impairments. He believes that the lives of people with disabilities should enrich the church's theology and practice. Jason uses ADNet's blog (blog.adnetonline.org) to bring his reflections to others in the Anabaptist and Christian communities. To provide a context for his writing, Jason is also spending time with residents of MDC Goldenrod, a Mennonite-related disabilities service provider in Goshen, Indiana.

ADNet believes that Jason's reflections meet a vital need in the church, since church practices always have roots in theology. Jason writes about a vision for a church that recognizes and welcomes the gifts of people with disabilities. Through friendship with them, the church can discover a new vision of what it means to be human. Such a vision, Jason believes, can lead everyone to greater human flourishing. These welcoming communities provide a shining example to wider society.

Jason is originally from Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada. He comes to ADNet after living eleven years in two L'Arche communities L'Arche Daybreak, near Toronto, Canada; and L'Arche Cape Breton, on Canada's east coast. His deeply formative time in L'Arche shaped his decision to focus on disability issues during his seminary work. Jason currently lives in Elkhart with his wife Elisabeth and two children Lukas and Jonas. They attend Hively Avenue Mennonite Church.

Organized in 2003 and headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADNet) is a national inter-Mennonite advocacy ministry dedicated to supporting families and equipping the church for inclusive communities. A member of Mennonite Health Services Alliance, ADNet provides resources via print, videos, and an extensive website (www.adnetonline.org).