October 11, 2010
Written by Jeff Woodard

A groundbreaking conference built on years of ministry focusing on disabilities, mental illnesses and other brain disorders, "Widening the Welcome: Inclusion for All" was presented by the UCC Mental Illness Network and UCC Disabilities Ministries Sept. 23-25 in St. Louis.

"People came from Maine to Hawaii," said the Rev. Alan Johnson, retired UCC pastor and chair of the UCC Mental Illness Network. "It was a strong affirmation of this frontier of ministry in the UCC building on all the hard work that has been done in the past."

More than 230 people participated in the conference held as a lead-in to Access Sunday, Oct. 10 – which also marked the beginning of Disabilities Awareness Week. (Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) was observed Oct. 3-9.)

The event was infused with spiritually engaging worship and morning devotions and vespers. Seven workshops were offered three times each with keynote speakers and national leaders.

Preachers/speakers included the Rev. Geoffrey Black, UCC general minister and president; Dr. David Greenhaw, president of Eden Theological Seminary; the Rev. Jane Fisler Hoffman, former UCC conference minister; the Rev. Bob Molsberry, Ohio Conference minister; the Rev. Craig Rennebohm; Lieutenant Colonel Peter Bauer; and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)-St. Louis.

Hoffman set the tone of the conference by sharing her own personal awakening in alleviating depression. "Closeted in my clinical depression, I realized I needed to come out to be true to myself," she said. "How can we welcome others unless we have welcomed the wholeness of ourselves?"

Speaking on the theology of disabilities and inclusive practices, Debbie Creamer, assistant professor of theological bibliography at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, said, "We must face the stigma in ourselves as we widen the welcome to others who are different from us, whatever that difference may be. Rarely were people with disabilities considered first as people."

Twelve days before the conference began, Molsberry used his wheelchair to complete an Ironman race course that he covered in 15-plus hours. Showing his medal and speaking of "hospitality the hard way," Molsberry said, "We are carried by so many people. I was vulnerable, I needed help. Disability is a cross-cultural experience."

At least one in four families in all faith communities is affected by a mental illness/brain disorder or a disability. The UCC has long been an advocate in inclusion for all through its Disabilities Ministries and Mental Illness Network.

Throughout its 53-year history, the UCC has consistently highlighted, approved and enacted resolutions related to disabilities and mental illnesses/brain disorders. UCC Local Church Ministries, through Disabilities Ministries and the Mental Illness Network, provided substantial financial support for the Widening the Welcome conference.

At the conclusion of the conference, Black said, "This is a movement within the movement of the UCC."

Planning team members are in the process of deciding the venue for the next conference, which will likely be held at the end of September 2011.

For more information on resources focused on physical disabilities, mental illnesses and other brain disorders, please visit .

United Church of Christ News Service