N:Vision (Summer 2020)
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Issue 61 / Summer 2020 Transforming Community, Radiating Christ FOR I WILL RESTORE HEALTH TO YOU, AND YOUR WOUNDS I WILL HEAL, DECLARES THE LORD...” JEREMIAH 30:17 Children with In this issue of n:vision we CHILDREN WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS Additional Needs - welcome back familiar faces and 02 old n:vision friends to learn of their lockdown experiences and thoughts. 04 MINISTRY OF HEALING Welcome in Church? A friend of the Diocese, Bishop Tim Wambunya of Butere Diocese in Kenya, rekindled the link between his diocese and 05 BISHOP ANDREW WRITES ours in 2016. This link was originally forged in 1916 when 2 children of Bishop George Chadwick of Derry and Raphoe OUR MAD LIFE worked there as missionaries. Bishop Tim’s many friends in 06 Derry and Raphoe joined in prayer when they learnt of his The Derry and Raphoe Diocesan Board of simple. If the child has sensory issues, will support them - they will know best and it is hospitalisation due to Covid 19. Bishop Tim features on our 08 WELL I WASN’T EXPECTING THAT! Social Responsibity and SEEDS Children’s church cause a meltdown? Will service better than second-guessing. cover, pictured on his release from hospital. Ministry are working together to find sheets be printed in large print? Will there A new friend of the diocese, Bishop Hall Speers of Mahajanga, CHRISTIAN AID MEETS CRISIS Work with Sunday School leaders to make 10 new ways to support children with be somewhere to put a wheelchair, so it originally from the parish of Urney, gives n:vision a glimpse sure material is inclusive. Volunteer to be a additional needs and their families. is not seen as a hazard? These and many of life some 9,200km away, during Covid-19. Kirsty McCartney reports. more questions should be considered before one-to-one support for the child, after going 12 OTM 2020 even entering a church building (as long as through Access NI and Safeguarding Trust Whilst a number of articles in this issue deal with the effect of A few months ago I read an article about a there are no steps!) My family has first- Training. Parents should not be relied upon Covid 19 on our lives, their optimistic outlook is heartening. MAHAJANGA CALLING father who had taken his two sons, one who hand experience of taking a teenager in a to be there for every lesson - they need time Other features add to this breath of fresh air blowing through 13 is on the Autistic Spectrum, to an Evensong wheelchair to church. For the most part we to worship independently. Acknowledge our diocese. During the lockdown months we have missed service in King’s College. The father describes were lucky as our church family saw the need the family during social times and do not our shared worship in the familiar surroundings of our local COVER PERSONALITIES how, during the service, he was approached to make changes and even cut a pew so that leave them on the fringe. Take time to get churches. The good news is that we have rediscovered an 14 by an usher and asked to leave with his the person in the wheelchair formed part to know all the family. Talk to the children important truth which we have always known. All of us, lay autistic son as he was being too noisy and of the congregation and was not stranded with additional needs - not just about them people, clergy and those in Church leadership, are the real 19 BIBLE COMMENTARY disturbing other people worshipping. The in the aisle. But for every positive there was or over their heads. Possibly more important vibrant Church which continues to worship and witness 9 year old who is non-verbal makes his nearly always a negative. Like the boy in than talking is listening. When you ask a collectively through the creative and imaginative use of social CAPTION COMPETITION excitement known through shouting out Evensong, my sister was non-verbal but loved question listen to the response - if hospital media, internet and radio as well as snail mail and phone! 20 and laughing. He loves church buildings and music and let her excitement show vocally. appointments are happening what is the choral music so I am sure he was delighted to Most people accepted this but tuts could outcome? How is the new school year going? Always before us the affirming words of Bishop Andrew - TO OPEN OR NOT TO OPEN ... be there. The father left with his sons but did also be heard around the church building. People may not want you to know all details “We are a people of faith, not fear.” 21 not leave it there - he wrote a letter to the This reaction of a minority had a negative but a listening ear is always benefical. Once Our faith is in the God of restoration. Dean which was published online. The Dean impact and often leaves a feeling of being this relationship is established you can ask if HOPE We live in a broken, argumentative world and sometimes 23 issued a public apology noting King’s College disheartened and isolated. there is anything in particular for which the tries to meet the needs of all who attend, but we feel as if life breaks us. Some feel frightened, helpless family would appreciate prayer. DIOCESAN MANOEUVRES* had spectacularly failed the family on this It is not all bad news though, as we as a and without hope, but we know we can place ourselves in the 24 occasion. As a result the Dean met with the family of God can do many things to help. These are only small changes but could restorative, repairing and healing hands of God. God can take father and the two are working on different Instead of tutting if someone non-verbal make a massive difference. We are all part the broken pieces of our lives, our shattered spirits and our BOOK REVIEW ways to make the chapel and services more makes noise at the “wrong” time during the of the family of God and are all entitled damaged hearts and repair them. He is a God of restoration. He 26 accessible. Sadly this is not an isolated service, talk to the family afterwards - and to worship together. The Board of Social will sustain us with strength and encouragement to continue incident and families with children with say something to the child like, “you were Responsibilty and SEEDS Children’s ministry our journey with him. Jeremiah 30:17 “For I will restore health 59 AND FINALLY... additional needs can often be faced with really enjoying the music today”, or “it was are working together to find new ways to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord…” various challenges in everyday life. Church lovely to hear you joining in our worship.” to support children with additional needs Each day we pray afresh, Thy Kingdom come. is no exception to this. Be available to help families if needed. For and their families. A few parishes have an example if an Autistic Spectrum Disorders taken some training in Makaton (a form Rev Katie McAteer, the Editor If you have experience of working with (ASD) child has a meltdown, be there to help. of communication using words, signs and *Diocesan Manoeuvres - articles will feature those appointments or moves occurring between the last issue of n:vision and 3 weeks prior to children with additional needs, or have If there are other children with the family symbols) and it is hoped we can provide E: [email protected] issue date of current n:vision. Up-to-the-minute news of clergy and lay someone in your family with additional engage them and allow the parents time and more training for parishes in the future. If appointments, moves and other announcements may be found through needs, you will know life can be very space to deal with the meltdown if needed. there is anything we can practically do to the Diocesan Facebook page and website www.derry.anglican.org challenging, and sometimes something (Be sure to adhere to Safeguarding Trust help please do not hesitate to get in touch as simple as going to church is far from guidelines) Ask parents what you can do to by emailing [email protected] 2 N:VISION | DIOCESE OF DERRY & RAPHOE SUMMER 2020 3 Ministry of Healing Bishop (Rev Paul Lyons, Chair) Andrew ‘We are not responsible for the worry about their finances at this time. God of love, we pray for charitable Provide for them in their need. Lead your organizations, churches, and all who provide writes... circumstances we are in, but we are responsible for the way we allow Church to share in generosity and use the selfless, caring services to others. May they resources with which we have been blessed. continue to be there for others in their those circumstances to affect us; we For any that do evil and seek to exploit and time of great need. Provide, by your mighty can either allow them to get on top of gain at the expense of others, Lord Jesus, economy, the ability to receive funds and us or we can allow them to transform frustrate their efforts. maintain service to others. We pray for those us into what God wants us to be.’ living in continued social isolation. Protect Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Oswald Chambers them from despair and loneliness. Direct Dear friends, your church as to how we can be a friend God of compassion, we pray for the abused, How could anyone accurately describe The dedication of those at the frontline foreseeable future due to the requirements The Diocesan Ministry of Healing Committee who is near in this time of distance.