Abilities Church seeks permanent home
TORONTO, ON–The Abilities Church is looking for monthly sponsors to help their integrated congregation find a permanent home.
The vision, says founding pastor Jaime Castro, is to create a space where those with intellectual and physical disabilities can worship alongside their friends, caregivers and others, with a view to building a congregation with an equal balance between those with disabilities and those without.
“We need a permanent home for us to facilitate our worship services, community programs, events and employment projects for people with disabilities," says Castro.
The church has relied on rented spaces, which does not provide either the stability or type of facilities the church needs, Castro explains. They are hoping to be able to lease a 9,000 square-foot facility near Eglington and Victoria Park that would accommodate worship services, events, concerts and employment projects for people with disabilities. They also plan to run their own store, as well as holding community programs and classes, such as life skills and vocational training, mentoring, music therapy and recreational programs.
“A church community is more than the one hour spent worshipping together," says church member Karen Patricia Crigger. “Without a place to call home, we are somewhat disconnected... limited to half an hour or so a week in someone else's 'home church,' to fellowship.
“Having a place would allow members to come together regularly to encourage and build up when another is feeling burdened, to lend a hand where needed, to share whatever we have to offer, to grow in faith and in numbers."
The church needs to raise $7,500 a month to cover the lease and utilities. But the money is hard to come by for those with disabilities, says Doris Power, a single mother and caregiver to a 28 year-old-son who has Down syndrome and autism. Many handicapped adults are dependent on the Ontario Disability Support Program for their total income, which barely covers the costs of day programs, transportation and suitable accommodation, leaving very little left over.
“People with disabilities are expected to survive in poverty," Power says. “We will not be lining anyone's collection plate with enough money to keep the lights on, let alone pay space rental or buy property."
She adds, “There are churches that have made accommodations for two or three wheelchairs, and a few that will take intellectually challenged people to a separate class outside the main service. But the aim of the Abilities Church is to create a fellowship of genuine inclusion–where people with handicaps are welcomed in large numbers–not as spectators but as participants and also as leaders...
“Such a church has the ability to truly become a spiritual family. But a family is not something that can be confined to a two or three hour slot once a week. A family has a need for the security of a permanent home."
So far, the church has received a handful of pledges and is hoping to find 45 sponsors who will give between $50 and $300 a month.
“Together we can make an inclusive difference by [being] equally accepting of people of all abilities through the love of Jesus," says Castro. “Ministering to the least among us by treating them as the greatest in God's Kingdom should be at the centre of all Christian ministry because this is the heart of Jesus–to invite and include all people equally."
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