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ADNet
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ADNet at Atlanta 2003 Under the theme, "God's Table…Y'all Come," Mennonite Church USA held its first biennial convention, July 3-8, 2003 in the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. ADNet was well represented on this historic occasion with four members of the Executive Committee, their spouses, and other family members and friends helping to get out the word on the need for the Mennonite Church to make a place at the table for persons with disabilities and mental illness. The hub of ADNet's presence at Atlanta was a booth in the exhibit area in "A-Junction." Nancy Leichty coordinated a team of five persons who provided staffing for the table from 12:00 noon until 11:00 p.m. each day of the convention. An attractive display board created by Joyce Pankratz and Sherry Wenger used pictures and text effectively in drawing people toward an array of materials available as well as meaningful conversations with the ADNet volunteers. We discovered quite a bit of interest in talking privately about the issues surrounding mental illness. We sensed that people wanted a safe place to talk about this and haven't always found it. A number of people presented themselves first as having interest in or working with persons with physical or developmental disabilities but then opened up with their own stories of living with a chronic mental illness. In addition to the display table, ADNet coordinated and/or its members were involved in a wide variety of workshops and activities offered in various settings. Sheila Stopher Yoder led an adult workshop on accessibility issues with a title that played on the convention theme: "God's Table: I'd Like to Come, But I Can't Get In." Sign language was popular as Sheila led "Sign Language Fun for Families" twice on Sunday, and her husband, Myron Yoder, led an intergenerational seminar entitled "And God Gave Them a Sign: American Sign Language!" Another intergenerational seminar, "Mommy Stayed in Bed This Morning," led by Andrew Stoner, dealt with the issue of depression. Cindy and Doug Baker led in activities that built awareness of the experiences of disabilities for six different groups of children ranging from grades 1-6. The children also delighted in sharing the experience of viewing the film "Miracle in Lane Two" as well as collecting autographs from Justin Yoder, on whose life experiences the movie is based. A number of children brought their parents to the ADNet table afterwards where the film was running to catch people's interest and this resulted in the sale of a number of copies of the movie. There were also some conversations, both formal and informal around issues of concern to ADNet. Some preliminary plans were discussed for an efficient distribution system for ADNet materials. Conversations were held with representatives of church agencies. There were other folks encouraging ADNet to become involved in bringing together professionals who work with persons with disabilities in both church schools as well as secular agencies. Convention-goers came with a wide variety of knowledge and awareness about the state of affairs in advocacy ministries for persons with disabilities and mental illness in the Mennonite Church. There were expressions of surprise at the current lack of a national office for these ministries following the budget cuts of Mennonite Mutual Aid in October 2002. Many people expressed their affirmation that ADNet is now picking up the mantle to carry this work forward. Toward the middle of the week, ADNet was encouraged to bring its concerns about finding a place at the table of the church structures directly to the larger convention. It was decided to draft a statement (text below), which was signed and submitted to the Listening Committee. A Listening Committee member noted the concern in the delegate sessions and said that the statement would be passed along to the Executive Board of Mennonite Church USA. ADNet members noted encouraging signs that congregations are paying more attention to persons with disabilities and enabling their attendance at this year's convention. Youth groups included persons who used wheel chairs and others with some mild developmental disabilities. Wheel chairs were almost a common sight despite the difficulties of getting around from floor to floor in the massive convention center. Sign language interpretation was provided at each of the youth sessions. Yet, ADNet volunteers left with a feeling that there is still much to be done before the church becomes fully inclusive of persons with disabilities and mental illness. It was good to be in Atlanta and represent the concerns of persons who are often marginalized in both society and the church. Now it is time to continue the work in local communities and within the church structures as we seek to include and unleash the gifts of all God's people. Then, we will be able to truthfully sing, in the words of the theme song, "For everyone born, a place at the table…"
Statement to the Listening Committee
To: Listening Committee and Delegates at Atlanta 2003 Throughout Atlanta 2003, we have been reminded of the invitation to all persons to come to God’s table. We, the community of persons with disabilities and mental illness, have noted with joy and appreciation the greater participation of persons with a wide variety of disabilities in this Convention. Their gifts have truly blessed us!
At the same time, we are painfully aware of continued barriers to the full participation and use of gifts of our family members and friends with disabilities in this Convention as well as in our congregations and the larger church. It is with this in mind that we wish to inform the delegates of Mennonite Church USA gathered at Atlanta of the current status of the church-wide disabilities and mental illness advocacy ministries.
These ministries were welcomed to the table of our church structures at Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in the late 1970’s. As Mennonite Health Services (MHS) developed in the late ‘80’s, MCC said, “You really belong with MHS.” In the mid ‘90’s, these advocacy ministries were passed on to Mennonite Mutual Aid (MMA) to fit within their stewardship education department.
In the fall of 2002, as MMA was setting priorities in light of tighter finances, they said, “Our table was not really made for you.” Thus, as of October 1, 2002, the church-wide advocacy ministries of disabilities and mental illness are without a place at the table.
We ask you, the delegates of Mennonite Church USA at Atlanta to, first of all, hear our lament and grieve with us at this loss. We hope you will understand the sadness we feel as we sing “For everyone born, a place at the table…”
Secondly, we ask for your counsel and prayers as we search for a place at the church-wide table. For some of us, that search has led to the formation of the Anabaptist Disabilities Network (“ADNet”) to be a kind of wheelchair with the mobility to pull up to any of the tables of church structure that will invite us to dialogue about our common mission.
Thirdly, we ask for support from the delegate body and the leadership of Mennonite Church USA to encourage and facilitate these conversations so that there truly is a place at the table for everyone and together we can be “creators of justice and joy!”
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