Special Blessings Name Change

A Thoughtful Change

Fourth’s Special Blessings ministry has changed its name to “Disability Ministry” beginning June 1. This decision was made after much prayer, research, and discussion involving Fourth’s pastors and coordinator of the ministry, Tricia Han, who has been in consultation with leaders from organizations that support families affected by disabilities (such as Engaging Disability with the Gospel, Joni and Friends, and the Faith Inclusion Network, as well as the disability ministry community within the Evangelical Presbyterian Church).

In these discussions over the last several months, it became clear to Tricia that “disability” is preferred over the term “special needs” because it’s both more encompassing and descriptive.

“This name, Disability Ministry, is the current convention,” Tricia says. “It’s findable; it’s comprehensive. The term might seem kind of cold, but the idea is that people know there’s a starting point; they know where to go. It more clearly signals to those within Fourth and beyond our walls our commitment to include families affected by disabilities in the life of the church.”

While Tricia — herself the mother of a son affected by a disability — acknowledges that some may look upon the word “disability” as a negative label, she takes a more pragmatic approach. This is because when her family first moved to the area and began looking for a new church that offered a ministry for families affected by disabilities, Fourth Church did not appear in her search.

“Sometimes you have to use labels so people can get what they need,” she says. After all, “God knows each of us by name. He doesn’t know us by labels. At our church, we want to know each other by name, but sometimes labels are helpful. The idea is that the ministry is labeled, but the people in it aren’t.”

More Than Just a Place to Go

In addition to a weekly interactive Sunday School class, the ministry offers regular family Sunday brunches throughout the year and hosts monthly online support group meetings for moms and dads, as well as monthly fellowship gatherings for young adults. Some participants in the ministry play in a chimes choir which provides music during Sunday services; they also regularly serve in conjunction with other Fourth ministries, such as Mission DMV and the Welcome Team.

“We’re engaging with families affected by disabilities so they feel included and have a place to serve. It’s not just welcoming, giving, and teaching,” Tricia says. “It’s also serving. It blesses somebody to know they can be helpful.”

Equipping the Whole Church

In an effort to broaden the inclusion and belonging of those participating in the ministry, this summer Fourth Church will host a training seminar, called “Disability 101” and featuring speaker Sib Charles, from Joni and Friends. The seminar is open to everyone in the church, and is planned for August 13 in Room 131 during the 9:30 a.m. Sunday School hour; register here.

Inclusion isn’t the ministry’s only goal: It’s also about belonging. Tricia recounts the words of author John Swinton, Chair of Divinity and Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland: “To be included, one just needs to be there. To belong, one needs to be missed.” This sentiment, she points out, aligns well with Fourth’s mission to be a church where everyone is known, cared for, and serving.

Tricia looks forward to working with all individuals and families affected by disabilities with the hope to enable each to be more actively engaged in the Fourth community. Please reach out to her with any questions about the Disability Ministry; she can be reached at than@4thpres.org.