Disability Awareness Sunday 28 September

'Sunday 28th September is Disability Awareness Sunday. This year’s theme is ‘Made in the Image of God’, reminding us that every person, disabled or not, reflects the image of God in some way and is therefore special and precious to God and to the Church, and recognises that everyone one us has an important part to play in the building of God's Kingdom across our diocese.

There is a special resource available for churches from Through the Roof which includes videos and prayers that can be used during your services to think about how we can encourage more and more people of all abilities to find belonging and vocation in the Church.

But why is this so important? Well, around 24% of the UK's population identify themselves as disabled and that is likely to be reflected in the population of those who live in our parishes and communities.

We long for our church families in this diocese to be full and diverse but very often disabled and neurodivergent people can find church difficult to access and barriers to belonging.

Disability Awareness Sunday helps Churches begin to think about what these barriers might be and to help us us think about how we can become more the church that God intends, where all are welcomed, included and where all have the opportunity to find faith in Jesus Christ and to serve him, his church and the world.

St. Andrew's Church Grange, will be holding a special 'All Together Cafe Service' on Disability Awareness Sunday (28th September) at 4pm and you'd be very welcome to join us.

You can also find more information about Disability Awareness Sunday at https://throughtheroof.org/forchurches/disability-awareness-sunday/ 

A Prayer for Disability Awareness Sunday

Compassionate God,

thank you that you look at our hearts,

and value each one of us,

as uniquely gifted children of God,

each created to reflect something of your glory,

and to bless the world 

with our divinely given gifts, talents and vocation.

Help us to see others with your eyes, 

and to love all with your heart. 

We pray in the name of our friend and brother, 

Jesus Christ,

Amen. 

Revd Emma Speake, 

Chester Diocesan Disability Advisor

Vicar St. Andrew's Church Grange