Disability Inclusion

On May 21, Moderator Rev Denise Liersch released a pastoral letter highlighting the Church’s response to the federal Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

The Assembly has established a national Task Group, with each Synod required to coordinate a response. The Synod of Victoria and Tasmania’s Task Group includes representatives from congregations, Uniting VicTas, schools liaison and relevant Synod staff.

The Task Group has been producing resources and information about how the Church needs to respond to the Commission, and these have been circulated across the Synod.

Any person with disability who has experienced violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation, either within the Uniting Church or beyond, is encouraged to tell their story to the Royal Commission.

In drawing this to your community’s attention, you are encouraged to use both the Values Statement produced in Easy English and the short video People with Disability in the Community produced by Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALiD)

Anyone affected by the Disability Royal Commission can access free, specialist counselling support through Blue Knot Foundation. Call 1800 421 468.

For further information contact Chairperson Rev (Deacon) Dr Andy Calder at andy.calder@victas.uca.org.au or 03 9340 8844.

Mental Health

Mental Health Forum

“Mental Health: does religion/spirituality help or hinder?” was the topic of a forum hosted in June 2021 by Rev (Deacon) Dr Andy Calder of the Synod’s equipping Leadership for Mission Unit (eLM). The keynote presenter was Prof John Swinton, Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care, and Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen. The keynote presentation is available for viewing.

A Mental Health Kit for Congregations is available for download. The kit contains personal perspectives, worship resources, sermon starters, a list of community-based resources and checklists to help congregations better respond to people with mental health issues.

Wesley Mission Queensland has assembled two Q&A video series focusing on COVID-19 and mental health. One is designed specifically for people living with a disability and the other is for the deaf community.

Click here to find the 12 videos for people living with a disability and click here to find the 12 videos for the deaf community.

Called to be a Church for All

The Transforming Worship Circle has created a new liturgy that acknowledges both the experiences of exclusion and embrace for people with disabilities. To download the liturgy, click here.

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