By Kirsten Yard
West Windsor, N.J. – The Interfaith Advisory Board of Enable, Inc. has planned the upcoming conference, “Enabling Faith: Honoring Our Disabilities, Finding a Spiritual Community,” to be held April 19 and 20, 2010 at Adath Israel Congregation in Lawrenceville, NJ.
On Tuesday, Ginny Thornburgh, a nationally renowned advocate helping faith congregations become more accessible for persons with disabilities, will speak. Dr. Dan Gottlieb, a psychologist, family therapist and advocate for all “observing life from the level of a wheelchair,” will give the opening Tuesday morning presentation and two sessions of workshops will follow. A special viewing of “Praying with Lior,” with Lior and his Father present, will be held on Monday evening. An Information Fair will provide materials and resources for all.
Persons with disabilities are often unintentionally under served by faith communities. This conference seeks to open up conversations among the attendees so that they can inform and empower one another regarding inclusive ministry models and practices. It is anticipated that the conference will effect lasting change in attitudes and knowledge, create new partnerships, provide training, and facilitate sharing of resources. Clergy, lay persons from faith communities, persons with disabilities and their family members, and staff who work with persons with disabilities are invited to attend.
Partners who are involved in the conference include: Adath Israel Congregation, Lawrenceville; Allies, Inc., Hamilton; Bancroft NeuroHealth; NJ Coalition of Inclusive Ministries; Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities of UMDNJ; Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Mercer County; NJ Association of Community Providers; NJ Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Princeton Theological Seminary; and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton. Financial support has been provided by Krieger Foundation; Board of Rabbis of Princeton, Mercer, Bucks; Ministry with the Disabled Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey; NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities; Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, St. David’s Episcopal Church (Cranbury), and the West Windsor-Hightstown Ministerium.
Discounted rates are available for early registrants (by 4/1/10) and for groups. Scholarships are available for persons with disabilities, students and others who may have income related needs. Registration is available online at www.enablenj.org or a paper registration can be downloaded and mailed in.
For more information: Contact Megan Acedo at [email protected] or call 609-987-5003, extensions 135. See: www.enablenj.org for further details.
Enable serves nearly 450 persons with disabilities and their families through in-home services and supports, group homes, day programs, respite care and other options. For more information about Enable, Inc. and the services it provides, visit www.enablenj.org.
