Who are you expecting for Christmas? Livability’s Mat Ray reminds us that God works in unexpected ways and through unexpected characters! He also suggests some minor adjustments we could make to our Christmas service preparations that would help disabled people in our communities feel welcomed and included. Who’s expected at your church this Christmas? For many of us, Christmas has become a routine. We plan the same services and events every year. We seem to have forgotten that Christ’s birth was anything but expected!
Christmas means everyone’s welcome “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people!” The Christmas message is for ALL people, not just the usual suspects! Take a few minutes to check that your church is prepared to welcome disabled people – who are often made to feel unwanted. Here are three practical ideas: As you decorate your church for Christmas, put up some big clear signs for the toilets (especially your accessible toilet). It’s not just disabled people who will thank you – knowing where the loos are helps your visitors relax! When you put up Christmas lights, check that your induction loop is still working. Induction loops enable people with hearing aids to clearly hear your Christmas music and teaching. [Either ask a loop user for help with this, or buy a relatively inexpensive ‘Loop Listener’, which allows people without hearing aids to test the loop signal] When you put up signs outside your church welcoming people for Christmas, check that the building itself offers a friendly welcome: Is it obvious where the front door is? Are there ramps so that wheelchair users can come in? [It’s easy to hire a wheelchair ramp – try www.mobilityequipmenthiredirect.com; www.theramppeople.co.uk or www.rollaramp.co.uk]
-1www.livability.org.uk
Christmas means everyone’s included The Bible tells us that two groups visited the infant Jesus; shepherds who were probably smelly and didn’t quite fit in; and the magi who were foreigners and probably followed strange religions. There’s no record of Jesus being visited by anyone you’d expect! This Christmas, will disabled people be able to join in as you worship and retell the Christmas story? Three ideas: Choose one Christmas carol to ‘sing’ in sign language or Makaton. You’d be surprised how easy it is to learn, and how beautiful it looks. [you can buy symbol songsheets at bit.ly/carol_sheets] Prepare some large-print service sheets [at least 16 point, with a clear font and strong contrasting colours – for more info, contact Torch Trust at info@torchtrust.org], so that people with weak eyesight will be able to join in. Many of us love crowded churches full of music, Christmas smells and flickering lights, but for other people, it can be totally overwhelming. So why not set aside a safe quiet space – perhaps a side room –where people can go if it starts feeling a bit much.
Christmas means everyone belongs Like so many Bible stories, the Christmas story tells us that God uses unexpected people to glorify him. But so often our churches prefer not to take risks – we rely on tried and tested members to serve at Christmas. Just as God chose unexpected people to glorify him, why not take up the challenge and ask disabled people to help out over Christmas. As you think about who can play in the band, do the readings, serve coffee, say prayers, and welcome visitors, why not ask disabled people? They may take a little longer, but you’ll be surprised to see the amazing ways that God can use unexpected people. After all, He’s done it before!
Mat Ray, Livability, November 2014
-2www.livability.org.uk