[disability ministries] enable boston
Enable Boston, our Disability Ministries, was funded in part by a generous bequest from Phyllis Onusseit. Our desire is to become a church that ministers to and with people of differing abilities and disabilities.
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{ Accessibility Instructions }
Will you be visiting Park Street Church in a wheelchair? Click here to read about accessibility in our newly-renovated building and parking nearby.
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ABOUT US
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” — 1 Cor 12:27
Because we believe that God creates each person in His image and for His good purposes, Park Street Church strives to become a church that ministers to and with people of differing abilities and disabilities. Our ministry entails three goals, each affecting the entire church, which is composed of individuals with and without disabilities:
1) educate: We seek to educate others with a Christ-centered theology of disability. We want to teach children and adults with disabilities about the love of Jesus and to enable them to grow in their faith.
2) equip: We seek to equip members of the congregation to get to know and love people in our midst who have disabilities, as well as to equip those with disabilities to minister with and to the rest of the congregation.
3) extend: We seek to extend the Kingdom of God by reaching out to the greater community of people affected by disabilities and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. This community includes both individuals with disabilities and those that love and care for them.
JOIN US
Our focus is on unity in Christ, believing that the church is disabled without the presence and ministry of people with disabilities. Therefore, our desire is to integrate people with disabilities in all aspects of our Christian community whenever possible. We do understand that there are some needs that are best met in a separate setting, and we are committed to addressing individual needs to the best of our ability.
We currently offer:
• Volunteers that assist a child with special needs for Sunday worship and classes, as well
as Friday night activities.
• Special equipment for the visually-impaired and hearing-impaired.
• Volunteers to help those in wheelchairs to attend worship services.
• Friendship Ministry: specialized Bible studies for adults whose lives have been impacted
by either cognitive or learning disabilities (see below).
• Volunteers to help those in wheelchairs to attend worship services
• Wheelchair-accessible building. (See the box at the top of the page for accessibility
instructions.) (The church was awarded the 2009 William D. Smith Memorial Award for
accessible building design integrated with historic preservation.)
• We currently do not have a Deaf Ministry, but we do have some services for people who
are Deaf, including a weekly ASL-interpreted evening worship service. Need an ASL
interpreter at Park Street? Contact Leslie at lbodkin[at]parkstreet.org.
If you would like to be involved with children or adults with disabilities, please contact us about volunteering. We offer training and support for our volunteers.
If you have a child with a disability, we want to enable you and your entire family to worship with us. Please contact Leslie Bodkin, so that we can discuss the needs and gifts of your family. We try to develop an individualized Christian Education Plan and a team of volunteers for each child with disabilities.
CONTACT US
General questions:
Leslie Bodkin, Director of Enable Boston
disabilities[at]parkstreet.org; 617.523.3383, ext. 220
Pastoral questions or counseling:
Toni Kim, Minister of Membership
tkim[at]parkstreet.org; 617.523.3383, ext. 508
[adults with disabilities]
ADULT BIBLE STUDY OFFERINGS
Park Street Church now offers two distinct types of Bible study options for adults whose lives have been impacted either by cognitive disabilities or by learning disabilities. Both groups meet Thursday evenings [7 – 8:30pm] at the church.
Friendship Bible Study
A mixture of group worship, Bible lesson and prayer, along with an individualized component. This group is designed primarily for adults (age 19+) who have cognitive disabilities, and as such learn best using a "hands-on" approach—not just hearing, but also seeing visuals, touching props and role playing.
Topical Bible Studies
Various topical Bible studies for adults (age 19+) who have self-professed learning disabilities or other issues that would warrant appreciation of a slow-paced, highly interactive format. Distinctives of these Bible studies include: male/female groups, adaptations of existing Park Street Church curriculum and explicitly guided sessions which allow participants to process both the questions and their responses.
For more information, or to arrange a visit for yourself or a friend, please contact us.
CONTACT US
General questions:
disabilities[at]parkstreet.org
Leslie Bodkin, Director of Enable Boston
lbodkin[at]parkstreet.org; 617.523.3383, ext. 220
Toni Kim, Minister of Membership
tkim[at]parkstreet.org; 617.523.3383, ext. 508
