Ah, Thanksgiving.
That festive time of year where we gather around the table with family, friends, or those who are like family to us to share in a feast of turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and all the foods that can fit on one plate and then some. While Thanksgiving can be about the food and the endless hours of football on television, it also provides us an opportunity to give thanks to God for the blessings we have experienced in life. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us of the importance to give thanks to God in all seasons and in all circumstances of life, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
As a pastor with disabilities, a parent of a child with disabilities, and a disability advocate, it is easy to focus on what is missing in our churches and society when it comes to full inclusion of the disability community. It is easy to see what is missing, because we have much work to do to bring love and grace to all people, especially those often marginalized simply for their disability. While there are gaps, there are also blessings we can claim throughout our shared work. Places, truly, where we can give thanks to God for the movement, of grace, hope, and love that is evident within the church, society, and the disability community.
So, as we approach Thanksgiving, where do I give thanks to God within the work of the disability community?
I give thanks to God for the churches that recognize there is more to be done in being a fully inclusive church and have made efforts in adapting their mission and ministry to reach the disability community. In my own community and denomination, I give thanks for the work of Kenova United Methodist Church in Kenova, W.Va., and Simpson Memorial United Methodist in Moundsville, W.Va., for their work of sharing God’s grace and hope with the disability community.
Image from @simonmaage on Unsplash
I give thanks to God for self-advocates who speak out about their experiences in faith communities. I am thankful for the witness of an adult with disabilities who shared with me how they were exhausted by churches that treat them like a child, and how it hindered deeper relationships. That conversation reshaped how I have approached disability ministry and connections.
I give thanks to God for the ones willing to treat a person with a disability with love and grace. Within that, I give thanks to those who step up to try to connect with a child whom others ignored. I am especially thankful for those within my new congregation of Mount Olivet UMC in Wheeling, W.Va., who have treated my autistic child and child with ADHD with love. They have engaged them with love, and have constantly shared what they enjoy about my children. It is a blessing to hear the good about your child when you come to church, even as a pastor, and not always the negative.
I give thanks to God for those who persevere when the church struggles to accommodate and adapt to meet their needs. I am thankful for the numerous stories of people who keep seeking a faith community, even when they have been hurt by the church’s lack of love and acceptance, because their love of God is bigger than humanity’s lack of love. Their witness of perseverance and grace is humbling.
I give thanks to God for those who work behind the scenes to make the church more inclusive. They are the ones who never get the spotlight, the attention, or even recognition that they deserve. Yet, they are tirelessly advocating and encouraging those they connect with to hold onto the hope that Christ embraces all people at the table, including those with disabilities. They are doing valuable and holy work of moving the conversation forward.
Finally, I give thanks to you. If you are reading this collection of words, then you likely have a passion for a more inclusive church for individuals with disabilities. You are a person with disabilities, a parent, a pastor, a volunteer in the church, or even someone who desires for everyone’s sacred worth to be valued and recognized. I give thanks to God for you and your work to the church and the mission of grace in the community.
There is much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season.
I give thanks to God for it all.
Shannon Blosser is a United Methodist pastor serving in West Virginia. He writes on how the church, especially the small church, can be more effective in its inclusion of individuals and families with disabilities. He is a father of an autistic child. You can follow him on Facebook and Threads. He posts, as well, at shannonblosser.com
