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 recently-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:
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.
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 - Watch Zach and Christopher worshiping and praising the Lord, leading the evening congregation's Offering.
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.
Want to know more about our disability ministry? Listen to how we enabled our congregation on Enable Boston Sunday with sermons and testimonies on disabilities.
Enable Boston Sunday sermons: March 13, 2011, March 21, 2010.
Testimonies on how and why to volunteer, volunteering with a tween with Autism, and how God spoke to someone who is deaf.
[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.
• Specialized Bible studies and events for adults whose lives have been impacted by either cognitive or learning disabilities (see below).
• Special equipment for people with visual or hearing impairments.
• 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 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.
[ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES]
Adult Bible Study and Fellowship
Jesus' words ring loudly in our minds: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so [you] can have life. I want [you] to have it in the fullest possible way (John 10:10 NIRV). Believing this offer stands for all who rely on His love for them –regardless of disability status, Enable Boston's adult programs aim to specifically assist adults (ages 19+) whose lives have been impacted by any type of cognitive disability to grow in their experience and understanding of Jesus' love for them. Towards this end, we offer a mixture of supportive Bible study, application, and fellowship opportunities. Our new schedule of 2011-2012 activities follows.
Wednesdays (7:00-8:30pm): Friendship Bible Study & Social Activities
A mixture of group worship, rotating activity options (Bible study, crafts, games, and spiritual autobiography workshops) and snacks. Through these various activities we aim to better know and enjoy God and each other. Volunteers facilitate both activities and interpersonal interactions. Note: On the fourth week of each month, we'll meet for a weekend (Friday or Saturday) group dinner instead of meeting on Wednesday. For meeting details or any other questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at fbsfriends[at]parkstreet.org.
2nd Sunday of each month:Continuing(!) FBS Fellowship Lunches
Meet in the Welcome Center following the 11 am service (1:00-3:00 pm).We provide a simple lunch but a rich occasion for experiencing community through relaxed conversation and post-lunch table games. For more details contact us at: fbsfriends[at]parkstreet.org.
Sunday afternoon Bible Study (2:30-3:45)
Topic to be announced. Enjoy studying God's Word and its application to our lives with others who also appreciate a slower pace. This group is designed for adults (ages 19+) who learn best using a "hands-on" approach --not just hearing but also seeing visuals, touching props, role playing and being led in articulating connections between the study material and their own lives.
Please consider joining us! We welcome visitors, new volunteers, and new participants. Contact us: fbsfriends[at]parkstreet.org. For more information, or to arrange a visit for yourself or a friend, please contact us.
[CONTACT US]
General Questions:
Leslie Bodkin, Director of Enable Boston
disabilities@parkstreet.org | 617.523.3383 ext. 220
Pastoral Questions or Counseling:
Toni Kim, Minister of Membership
tkim@parkstreet.org | 617.523.3383 ext. 507
