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Circles of Love: Encouraging Congregational Networks of Care for People with Disabilities and their Families. Christine Guth christine@adnetonline.org , 574-343-1362 Anabaptist Disabilities Network www.adnetonline.org. Stories of congregational networks of care.
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Circles of Love: Encouraging Congregational Networks of Care for People with Disabilities and their Families Christine Guth christine@adnetonline.org, 574-343-1362 Anabaptist Disabilities Network www.adnetonline.org
Income paid for: • Art supplies • Lessons/mentoring • Framing • Exhibition costs • Manufacturing a line of greeting cards • Stipend for Chad
Long-term support • Pastors Kevin and Sharon Yoder
First, an immediate need • Firewood for wood stove
Support provided • New housing • Housing repairs and maintenance • Connecting to government benefits • Financial management assistance • Emotional support • Friends for Jay to hang out with
Supportive Care in the Congregation • Providing a congregational network of care for persons with significant disabilities • Vision, rationale • 1986, revised 2011
Circles of Love • Stories of congregations caring for people with disabilities and their families • “Supportive Care Stories” • 2015
What is a Supportive Care group? (Circle of Love) • An intentional effort within a faith community • Supports to a person with a disability and/or family • Supports needs of daily living and church participation
Key elements • Network of relationships • Strong leadership with vision • Supported person participates • Identified focus • Matching gifts to needs
Functions may include • reducing isolation • relieving burden on family members • connecting to wider community supports • Cultivating gifts of person with a disability
Anabaptist theological themes • Salvation experienced in human community • Church is the first fruits of God’s reign • Knowing Christ through following him • Service a calling for all Christians
Successful groups often involve… • Customizing: Using the book like a buffet not a blueprint • Collaborating with secular resources • Usually initiated in crisis, but planning beyond crisis for a sustainable plan
Successful groups often involve… • Using gifts/interests of team members • Defined responsibilities carried by each person • Building relationships with entire family unit
Successful groups often involve… • Open-ended time commitment, phasing out when no longer needed • Recognizing that ministry is two-way: givers are receivers and vice versa • The least amount of bureaucracy that still gets the job done
Possible group roles • Person with a disability • Family members • Friends • Monitor of values • Program advocate • Financial advocate • Spiritual mentor • Medical advocate • Parent support • Worrier • Facilitator • Record keeper • Congregational liaison
Implementation • Getting started • Preparing the congregation • Forming the group • Group covenant • Training • Legal/financial arrangements • Congregational covenant
What opportunities might exist for a Circle of Love in your context? • What obstacles stand in the way? • What is one concrete step you can take to explore a Circle of Love in your context?