Including people with intellectual disabilities in Christian communities

Wednesday January 20th 2016

Dr Ian Dickson will lead one of the two sessions at the conference.

Belfast Bible College’s Centre for Disability Theology and Ministry is running a ‘Me Too’ conference in First Holywood Presbyterian Church on January 30.

It is hoped that by forming questions, providing insights and sharing experiences, the conference will be a catalyst to help individuals and Christian communities to move towards a fuller reality of inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

The course is designed for church leaders, parents, carers and those already involved, or wanting to begin, disability ministry.

Dr Jill Harshaw also leads a session.

The conference is a starting place. There will be two plenary sessions and three workshops.

In session one, Dr Ian Dickson, Director of the Centre for Disability Theology and Ministry at Belfast Bible College, looks at the biblical basis for inclusion in church, what inclusion will look like and how the continuing process might take shape.

In session two, Dr Jill Harshaw, Lecturer in Practical Theology at Belfast Bible College, will explore some personal and biblical examples of support and look more closely at the complexities of support of people with intellectual disabilities and their families within the local church.

Participants can choose two out of three workshops:

Life as a parent of a child with Autism
Down Syndrome and spiritual learning
Profound disability and theology – a parent’s reflection.

Registration begins at 9am and the conference runs from 9.30am until 1.30pm with light lunch included. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to register by contacting 028 9042 5035 or email office@firstholywood.co.uk.

For further information visit www.belfastbiblecollege.com/tio or call Stephen on 07816 325899.