Todd Owen is a member of Rapid Valley UMC in Rapid Valley, South Dakota.

"Now more than ever, I think it's incredibly important for the church to gather around and surround the disabled. People with disabilities, especially if they're non-verbal and severely disabled, are invisible people, and we forget the vulnerability that comes with that."

Jackie Owen, a member of Rapid Valley United Methodist Church in Rapid City, South Dakota, is passionate about the value of inclusion and the social Gospel being lived out in the Methodist movement. A recent incident brought this to the forefront for Jackie.

Jackie's oldest son, Todd, has multiple disabilities stemming from complications at the time of his birth. Despite using a wheelchair and having limited verbal abilities, Todd radiates joy, especially through his love of music.

Jackie shared, "I remember when Pastor Dayne [Zachrison] first came [to Epworth UMC in Valley City, ND] and Todd was taking communion. Dayne said, 'I knew there was something different from the first time I served him communion. He has a connection to God.'"

A few weeks ago, Jackie logged into Todd's social security account to change some information, only to discover that the account had been suspended. Jackie contacted the Social Security office and was told that Todd's status and benefits had been suspended because he made too much money from side jobs and that they would need to file an appeal to reinstate them. This news—that didn't make sense for multiple reasons—shook Jackie to the core.

"It isn't just the dollar amount. I mean, that's a piece of it, but it's really bigger. It's the rest of his life," explained Jackie.

Many of the other support services Todd receives for his care and well-being depend on his being on Social Security. "He's going to outlive me," shared Jackie. If he doesn't have these things, and he outlives me, then we're now looking at the impact it has on my other kids as well. They all love their brother, but the impact is great."

Rapid Valley UMC.

Several calls and office visits later, the matter was cleared up without the need for a formal appeal. However, it was another reminder of the precarious nature of an already complex system that is often impacted by changing political winds.

"I think over and over again, with Todd, one of the hardest things for me to do has been navigating a system that isn't always clear about what the steps are in navigation," said Jackie. "I'm sitting here with a bachelor's and two master's degrees in education, and I'm working on my dissertation to finish my doctorate. And I get so frustrated with a system that works against him. I'm allegedly equipped to deal with the systems, but I'm not."

Jackie also realized the devasting impact this could have on other individuals, especially given recent changes and uncertainties related to the government entities that authorize, fund, and manage the system.

"If the tide continues the way it's been the last few weeks, it's going to get very bad," Jackie shared.

However, Jackie has also seen the power of a connectional church through ministries like UMCOR and shared hope and belief that coming alongside persons with disabilities and their caregivers is an area where United Methodists could step in and make a difference.

"If the church were to figure out how to have some sort of group available or resources available that people could call on to have someone walk the walk with them and help them navigate the system, I think that would be fantastic," said Jackie.

A Call for the Church
At a recent denominational leadership training, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, from the New York and Boston Episcopal Areas, spoke of the importance of the church stepping into the gap at this time when the social safety net seems to be fracturing in our country.

Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton presides at 2016 General Conference. Photo by Maile Bradfield, UMNS.

"It seems to me that these past two weeks have not only opened our eyes to the assumptions that we have made as a church and perhaps even the over dependencies we've allowed to take place over the years," reflected Bickerton. "It might be that we have falsely depended on someone else to do what the church does best."

Bickerton challenged the church to live into our DNA. "You see, for example, prior to 1935, the Great Depression, there was never a welfare system that cared for the poor like the church did. In the late 1800's, the Methodist movement didn't wait for anyone else to do it. It established colleges, universities, and a global mission program that offered education, healing, and hope to a world that was not receiving those essential services and messages," shared Bickerton. "This is our history—our legacy. It's what we've been known for. It is what we do.

Members of the Dakotas Conference have been stirred to this call to action in recent years as it relates to persons with disabilities. In 2023, Annual Conference legislation that created a Committee on Disability Ministries affirmed "that all people are made in the image of God and worthy of full inclusion in the United Methodist Church, our wider communities, and the kingdom of God."

This value of inclusion and accessibility inspired Pastor Quaya Ackerman from Rapid Valley UMC to step into the chair role of this new committee.

"It is my privilege to provide advocacy and support for all persons of any age that are created uniquely with IDD—intellectual or developmental disability," said Pastor Quaya. "Currently, our committee is still establishing its "what," but the "why" is to provide resources, guidance, and connection with families across the Conference."

Open Doors at Open Heart
This matter hits home personally and professionally for Pastor Michele Slott, who serves Open Heart United Methodist Church in Rapid City, South Dakota. Pastor Michele's 19-year-old son, Dylan, was in a motorcycle accident last fall that left him paralyzed from the chest down. She, too, sees the uphill battle of accessing support from a fragile system.

Rev. Michele Slott, Open Heart UMC, Rapid City, SD.

"All the ways things go together is just complicated, and trying to figure out how to navigate the systems is messy," shared Pastor Michele. "And we know the systems are likely changing, so you can't count on anything. It doesn't feel like you can plan."

Slott also sees how there may be inadvertent roadblocks for people trying to access resources. "So much of it is done online now, which is scary and wonderful at the same time," explained Michele, "That's a whole other thing–  is that for people who don't have computer skills or access to a computer it makes it even more challenging."

Slott's heart for individuals with and families of persons with disabilities didn't just emerge from her own family's situation. Pastor Michele leads a church known for its welcoming posture toward this population.

"We have just been deeply committed to being inclusive. We've said, 'This is who we're going to be, and doesn't everybody want to be part of this?'" said Pastor Michele. "Mostly the things that we do for them is just helping them connect whether it's with the church or with one another and give them a chance to be social and to give back and provide a place that is safe to worship where they will be accepted."

This ethos of inclusion has not been without its challenges, and not everyone is comfortable being in a worshipping community that can have a little additional chaos or noise. But Pastor Michele sees this call to step out of our comfort zones as an opportunity to grow in our faith, discipleship, and Christ-likeness.

"If it's important to you to be part of a faith community that really wants to embrace the idea that the Imago Dei is seen in every single living human being, every single one, here's where the rubber hits the road," explained Pastor Michele.

Fully including persons with disabilities in the life and ministries of the church also means being intentional about removing barriers to that inclusion in all areas of ministry. One example Michele shared was in their food distribution ministry, where they realized there were persons with disabilities in their neighborhood who wanted to participate but didn't have the necessary transportation or physical ability to transport the food.

"It's just being aware of people and transportation needs and programs like that that they would take advantage of if they had a ride or somebody who would help them pull the food home," added Slott.

Jackie Owen echoes the importance of the church fully including and embracing persons with disabilities and the impact that can make on everyone.

Pastor Michele Slott chats with the crew of Circle of Friends at Open Heart UMC.

"Todd sings in the choir in Rapid Valley," shared Jackie. "That has been really, really nice, and he loves it." Music has always been a powerful part of Todd's life and the way he communicates.

Because of her experience at various churches throughout Todd's life, Jackie also has ideas of big and small ways churches could be more welcoming and inclusive to persons with disabilities and their families.

"People with disabilities need to be in our Sunday school classes. They need to be there so that people see that they are not invisible and treat them as normal people," explained Jackie.

Cutouts for pews in the back, front, aisle side, and outsides provide a visible statement that individuals in wheelchairs are welcomed. Making space between and at the tables in the fellowship area is an easy step to make literal space for relationships.

"There are little things that we could do so that people don't have to struggle a little more and so that people with disabilities are not invisible," encouraged Jackie.

Above all, Jackie sees the opportunity to build relationships, to be seen, and to feel integrated and valued as an equal part of the church family as making the most difference.

"There are times when Todd needs to be with other people who have disabilities so that everybody's going at his speed," said Jackie. "But there are other times when it would be really nice for him to be included with everyone else."

Community partnerships

Brian Loken, development director for LifeQuest, an organization in Mitchell, South Dakota, that works with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, echoed the impact of being included in the community. This value propelled them to develop 401 Create, a gathering space in downtown Mitchell where community members are encouraged to host creative sessions, workshops, or fun events and connect with people from LifeQuest.

"401 Create was established to create partnerships between the people served by LifeQuest and the Mitchell community, giving life to our mission: Creating Opportunities that Enrich Lives," shared Executive Director Pam Hanna on the LifeQuest webpage.

Loken sees how churches could replicate this platform for relationships by inviting members of the group homes to church events and providing logistical information that helps staff know what to expect.

401 Create is a light, welcoming space from LifeQuest in Mitchell, SD.

"Information like, 'How many people can you accommodate? Is the church willing to help with any special dietary needs like blended meals? Are there accessible bathrooms? Are there sensory things we should be aware of with the event like lighting or sound?' is so helpful," said Loken.

Loken also shared that the group homes could benefit from the care and connection of a church family, especially when they face the loss of one of the residents when a new resident arrives who may not have the basic supplies needed for their new home or through every day acts of kindness like prepared meals or notes of care and encouragement. Loken added that they have also had groups, such as a Boy Scout troop, hold their meeting at one of the homes, allowing for additional interaction and relationship building.

"Our staff tries to do a good job maintaining non-family member relationships," emphasized Loken.

He added that if church members who live on farms offered to host group home members for a day on the farm, it would be a welcome invitation, especially for those from rural areas.

"We get people who grew up on a farm for 50 years, and their parents are getting older, so they need to move them into a group home in town," explained Loken. "They've spent their lives in that outdoor context, and now they're limited to more indoor, city-based activities."

Another idea the LifeQuest team is exploring is action teams—non-staff members who write letters or contact legislators regarding matters that pertain to this population. LifeQuest leadership understands the importance of policy work even as they create systems for relational support.

For Owen, this intentional work of building direct, inclusive, relational connections combined with the vital task of public advocacy, policy, and systems work is the call and purpose of the Church, particularly of those called United Methodist.

"This is the social Gospel—walking with the people and having enough people in the church who are educated on the systems to provide services for people with disabilities. and then be able to advocate for them," said Jackie. "I think we need to start looking for the invisible."

*****

One way that individuals and churches in the Dakotas have been ministering alongside persons with disabilities is through Circle of Friends camps and groups for adults with IDD. Each of the three Dakotas UM Camps will offer a Circle of Friends camp this summer. More information can be found on the Dakotas UM Camps website.

The Conference Committee on Disability Ministries is in the process of planning an open forum for people who are engaged in or interested in ministries with people with disabilities. It will be a time to share ideas, questions, hopes, and challenges as a connectional body that seeks to offer tangible support and love as well as prayer support. If you'd like to be included on their direct email list for more information, please fill out this contact form.

Brian Loken will also be providing a Lunch-n-Learn workshop at this year's Annual Conference to discuss ways churches can partner with persons with disabilities and their families and the other organizations that support them in our communities.