Anabaptist Disabilities Network

05/22/2026

Dr. Lamar Hardwick, "The Autism Pastor," has passed into the next life. We are grateful for the legacy of his good work and faithful witness. Please continue to pray for his family. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17TyZ5pKpg/

05/21/2026

Many of you will remember Dr. Lamar Hardwick's equipping session and dinner event at the 2025 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference -- and his book, How Ableism Fuels Racism: Dismantling the Hierarchy of Bodies in the Church. We are grateful for the gift of his writing and public speaking on the intersection of racism and ableism.

Dr. Hardwick has been public on social media about his journey with colon cancer. His wife, Isabella, posted the news today that he has entered hospice care, requesting prayer for him and for their family. We hope that you will join us in praying for them all to know God's peace and comfort in this time.

05/11/2026

“The message from church and culture alike to many people with disabilities has been that their lives are, at best, an exception to God’s design and, at worst, a problem to be resolved. Their differences are often received as intrusions into an otherwise idealized human norm,” wrote John Swinton.⁠
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“Such a vision turns the hospitable logic of creation on its head. It suggests that belonging is conditional, and therefore one must change in order to be welcomed. In this way, communal belonging that was meant to reflect God’s goodness becomes a place of exclusion. ⁠
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The church must learn to hear and resist this distortion. If God’s creation is good, then every life within it, regardless of capacity, cognition, or conformity, is already gifted with divine affirmation.” ⁠

From the CT archive: https://chrst.today/4lPcCIM

05/08/2026

We encourage you to check out this article by Erik Carter, entitled: "Disabilities & the Church: What Leaders Should Know."

"Pastors virtually never set out to exclude people with disabilities from their congregations. And yet few feel well-prepared to minister amid the array of disability experiences in their community. Seminaries almost never include disability-related coursework, professional development is difficult to find, and the many demands of church life frustrate even well-intended attempts at purposeful ministry. As a result, many leaders feel unsure and hesitant rather than empowered and equipped..."

Read more at:

How prepared are clergy and leaders to minister amid the array of disability experiences in their communities? This essay begins a series.

05/06/2026

The latest issue of Leader magazine features stories by Field Associate Chou Hallegra and Communications Director Sarah Werner. We encourage you to check it out.

Mental health matters—especially in our churches.

The summer issue of Leader explores what it means to pursue an abundant life in the midst of real challenges. Inside, you'll find thoughtful, practical ideas for how congregations can become places of healing, hope, and meaningful connection.

With insights from Chou Hallegra, Keren Dibbens-Wyatt, Angela Williams Gorrell, and Patrick Nafziger, this issue not only encourages spiritual growth but also offers tangible ways for leaders to care for their own mental well-being while supporting others.

Because flourishing isn't just a nice idea—it's essential for faithful, sustainable ministry.

Get your copy today: https://bit.ly/46CPDKz

05/06/2026

A big THANK YOU to all those who made the ADN fundraiser concert a success!

Thank you to John McCutcheon for a fabulous evening of music, and thank you to his sister Patty for excellent ASL interpretation.

We also thank board member Lyle Miller for planning and hosting the concert, and the congregation of Waterford for your volunteer support on the day of the event.

And, thank you to everyone who came out to support ADN! We are so grateful for all of you.

04/30/2026

All In Kickoff Retreat at Laurelville

Last week 41 participants from 19 congregations in 9 states gathered for a retreat to kick off the All In Project at Laurelville Retreat Center in Mt. Pleasant, Pa. We enjoyed three days of fellowship, worship, and engaging seminars with project consultants David Csinos and Betty Pries. Executive Director Jeanne Davies and All In Project Director Keli Boyer also shared their expertise in belonging and inclusive worship.

Read more at: https://www.anabaptistdisabilitiesnetwork.org/all-in-kickoff-retreat-at-laurelville/

04/29/2026

Great news! In addition to having sign language interpretation for Friday night's John McCutcheon concert, we will be offering a low sensory room available for those who need a quieter and calmer setting while watching the concert via streaming.

All profits will go towards supporting the work of ADN.

Date: May 1, 2026, 7 pm

Location: Waterford Mennonite Church
65975 SR 15, Goshen, IN 46526

All tickets are $25, click here to purchase: https://bit.ly/ADNticket

04/28/2026

We encourage you to read this article by Executive Director Jeanne Davies about immersive worship that she wrote for The Living Church as part of a series on disabilities, ministry, and inclusion:

"People who can’t read sometimes hold hymnals upside down. It’s an imitation of what they see others doing. They have learned that worship is about books, words, and ideas. But for these brothers and sisters there is a wall.

The word, quite literally text, was central for worship following the Reformation era. It was, as some have described it, a logo-centric age. Pre-Reformation worship contained sensory elements such as visual depictions of Biblical stories and saints’ narratives in glass, sculpture, and wall murals. There were also changes in body position, incense, and bells. One seeming constant of Protestant liturgical revision was the intense focus on the written word and the intent that individuals read and understand it – sometimes even painted in large block letters on walls over the old murals. Liturgical spaces became classrooms and clergy became learned professors.

But what if one cannot read a text and comprehend its intellectual content? It is difficult for people with intellectual disabilities to participate fully in worship that is, in fact, completely and exclusively intellectual in content and orientation..."

https://livingchurch.org/covenant/all-in-immersive-worship-for-everybody/

04/24/2026

Seth Crissman helped us wrap up a wonderful week together at the All In Kickoff retreat with a worship service from our new All In resource. We're grateful for Seth, Dave Csinos, Betty Pries and every congregational leader there. Wishing everyone safe travels home and God's blessing on them and their congregations.