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Circles of Love: Encouraging Care Networks for People with Disabilities

Explore stories of congregational care networks for individuals with disabilities. Learn the key elements and successful strategies for implementation. Unearth the power of love and support in creating inclusive communities.

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Circles of Love: Encouraging Care Networks for People with Disabilities

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  1. 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

  2. Stories of congregational networks of care

  3. Chad, artist and entrepreneur

  4. The crowds following Jesus

  5. Going with the wind

  6. Water lilies

  7. God’s Eye Art Board of Directors

  8. Chad (right) with Dean Preheim-Bartel

  9. Income paid for: • Art supplies • Lessons/mentoring • Framing • Exhibition costs • Manufacturing a line of greeting cards • Stipend for Chad

  10. Circle of Love

  11. Forgotten

  12. The hand of God

  13. What would sell: Christmas cards!

  14. Long-term support • Pastors Kevin and Sharon Yoder

  15. First, an immediate need • Firewood for wood stove

  16. Support provided • New housing • Housing repairs and maintenance • Connecting to government benefits • Financial management assistance • Emotional support • Friends for Jay to hang out with

  17. Support team meets with the Larsons

  18. Supportive Care in the Congregation • Providing a congregational network of care for persons with significant disabilities • Vision, rationale • 1986, revised 2011

  19. Circles of Love • Stories of congregations caring for people with disabilities and their families • “Supportive Care Stories” • 2015

  20. 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

  21. Key elements • Network of relationships • Strong leadership with vision • Supported person participates • Identified focus • Matching gifts to needs

  22. Functions may include • reducing isolation • relieving burden on family members • connecting to wider community supports • Cultivating gifts of person with a disability

  23. 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

  24. 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

  25. Successful groups often involve… • Using gifts/interests of team members • Defined responsibilities carried by each person • Building relationships with entire family unit

  26. 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

  27. 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

  28. Implementation • Getting started • Preparing the congregation • Forming the group • Group covenant • Training • Legal/financial arrangements • Congregational covenant

  29. Love: a beautiful thing

  30. Supporting mom helps whole family

  31. Supporting independent living

  32. Support for Ben and his parents

  33. Questions?

  34. 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?

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