Removing Barriers,

Creating Communities of Belonging.

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” 1 Cor 12:27

May 2026  

Almighty God, whose only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven: May our hearts and minds also there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.                (Collect for Ascension Day)

Today we celebrate the principal feast of Jesus' ascension. The Ten Days between the Ascension of Jesus to Pentecost is a period of time we expectantly prepare and await the blessing of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. I commend to your use a resource the ACNA Family Leadership Network developed and shared a few years ago: The Ten Days of Prayer for Ascension to Pentecost. This resource is family friendly and can be downloaded at the link given. I pray it will bless you and your family.

One of the prayers for families in the prayer book begins, "Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you set the solitary in families: We commend to your continual care the homes in which your people dwell. ...and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may evermore be joined to one another with bonds of loving-kindness."

May 18 - A panel of people leading Caregiver Support Groups

This Monday, a panel of caregivers will be sharing about their experience and how coming together "in bonds of loving-kindness" has been helpful for them. Every church has caregivers in their congregation. This will be an opportunity to learn about their experience and how it may be applicable to us and our churches.

• Janie Simpson and Fr. B.E. and Beth Palmer lead a monthly, in-person caregiver support group at Grace Anglican, Fleming Island, Florida.
• Through her own experience of caregiving, Mary Tutterow developed a study series The Heart of the Caregiver and began meeting virtually with other caregivers. She has been leading and planting groups for family caregivers for 15 years.*

Blessings to you as we celebrate the final 10 days of Eastertide!

Dcn. Kathy Ayres

Director, Access Leadership Network

and

The AcLN Leadership team,

Ruth Brewbaker

Beth Kirby

Don Pollard

Heidi Reichert

*Check out this link for information to join Mary's next round of 9-week online peer support groups which begin Sunday May 17 or Monday May 18.

Monday, May 18 <> 7pm to 8pm Eastern

Connecting People and Sharing Resources

to support the church's ministry

with and by people with disabilities.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:7

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February Newsletter with info about AcLN Grants.



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Access Leadership Network (AcLN) seeks to come alongside churches to inspire, equip, and empower leaders working in churches across the ACNA to build communities of belonging for people with and without disabilities.

July - Take a break!

August 17 - Joni and Friends Family Retreats and Camps.

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and

peace to those who were near. For through him we

both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Ephesians 2:17-18

Removing Barriers, Creating Communities of Belonging.

Access Leadership Network (AcLN) seeks to come alongside churches to inspire, equip, and empower leaders working to build communities of belonging for people with and without disability in churches across the ACNA.

To learn more or to partner with the Access Leadership Network,

email Dcn. Kathy Ayres.

Provincial Leadership Networks of the ACNA | Website