The Diocesan Vision 2030 is for ‘Every Londoner to encounter the love of God in Christ.’ This includes not only the vast variety of backgrounds, life-styles, and economic circumstances that London contains, but also the infinite range of embodiment and sensory and cognitive shape that is all around us, some of which is labelled by our society as ‘disability.’ More than 1 in 5 people have a physical, sensory, or mental shape that means that they are labelled as ‘disabled.’ However, as the church in London, we want to be a place where no one is disabled but all people are regarded as ‘able’ and are able to use their abilities to contribute to the shape and nature of the church.
As a church we recognise that we have not always been as inclusive and welcoming as we should be. We acknowledge that disabled people have often faced barriers to belonging and participation that have devalued them and their gifts. But, within our 2030 Vision, the diocese is making a new commitment to diversity and inclusion and seeking to be a church in which all people feel they can belong as unique and valued children of God.
Our commitment to enable greater belonging and participation for disabled people in the life and ministry of the church is outlined in the ‘Diocesan Disability Statement’ adopted by the bishops and senior staff of the diocese.
This work is led by the Rev Preb John Beauchamp in his role as ‘Diocesan Disability Ministry Enabler.’ John is blind and has been ordained for 28 years, serving as a parish priest in Suffolk and London. He is working to encourage all churches in the diocese to explore how they might be more open to the presence and participation of disabled people and to see a greater representation of disability amongst parish clergy, senior staff and London Diocesan Fund employees.
If you would like to raise issues about disability, including your experiences of church as a person with a disability, or ask about how your church can start a journey towards being more inclusive and welcoming, you can contact John at john.beauchamp@nulllondon.anglican.org
We will publish 3 bulletins a year – autumn, spring and summer. Each will share news, ideas and resources to help you explore how your church can be more welcoming and inclusive of the belonging and participation of disabled people.
Click here to view the autumn 2022 newsletter
Click here to sign up to the mailing list
Disability History Month last year focussed on the health and wellbeing of disabled people. This was particularly in the light of the pandemic when disabled people were more than three times more likely to die if they were hospitalised with Covid. This exposed a long-standing inequality in provision and access to care and support that has resulted in disabled people’s general health and well-being deteriorating over the past decade.
Visit ukdm.org for more information.
During the month the diocese called churches to a time of reflection and action. How can we make our churches and communities more welcoming and inclusive, physically, spiritually and socially?
Introductory blog – John Beauchamp
The ministry of disabled people, a gift to the church – Fr. Chris Philips
Disability, intersectionality & poverty – Fiona MacMillan
The Costly Gift of Vulnerability – Revd Anne Bookless
On this page we are collecting and publishing a range of resources to help churches explore issues of disability and accessibility. The ‘360 Accessibility Audit’ and the ‘Strength made perfect’ study course are significant tools to help you do this. You will also find other downloadable material, along with links to a wide range of organisations providing information and support and a reading list for those who would like to explore the theology and ethics of disability.
Includes the 360 Accessibility Audit pack, and a model parish disability statement.
