St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chatham recently completed a three-week series exploring the connection between disability and faith, culminating in a Walk Now for Autism event on Saturday, Oct. 6. More than 40 people from St. Paul’s gathered at Morris Plains’ Central Park to walk together in support of ministry to those families wrestling with the issues of autism. The Rev. Mary Davis, rector of St. Paul’s, noted, “We raised over $2,300 for the cause and became a missional presence in the community.”
The series on Disability and Faith opened with a sermon by the Rev. Sharon Burniston, Palliative Care Chaplain at Overlook Hospital. Visually impaired with 400-20 vision, Burniston delivered a powerful witness on ways in which our societal norms and constructions isolate those who are disabled. Citing the biblical story of the blind Bartimaeus, she pointed out that Jesus not only restored his sight, he also moved Bartimaeus from the side of the road to the center of the community. The next two weeks included sermons by Davis on the disability and faith theme. In adult forums, the congregation looked at deep-seated theological assumptions that have further isolated and stigmatized people as disabled. At the same time, Sunday School and youth group teens focused on inclusivity in tbeir lessons and activities.
Davis described the difference the three-week series has made in the life of St. Paul’s and the community. She said, “The powerful and spirit-filled result is that conversations have been opened, isolation has been broken, and God’s image is being reflected.” She cited an example, “One of our 9th grade boys, inspired by teaching on disability, sought out another 9th grader on the autism spectrum who was having trouble adjusting to school. This teenage parishioner invited the boy to lunch and with a few other friends walked together to their next class.”
