|
Removing Barriers, Creating Communities of Belonging.
February 2025
"..., we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also
our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."
1 Thessalonians 2:8
Greetings,
Apostle Paul and other authors of the epistles in the New Testament frequently use the Greek word agapētos (beloved) in the salutation and when referring to specific fellow servants in ministry. Agapētos is the Greek word used at both the baptism and transfiguration of Jesus, when God proclaims, “this is my beloved son.” In the letter to the Thessalonians, agapētos is translated as “very dear.”
As we engage in ministry with others, God calls us to share our lives with one another. Authentic, meaningful relationships include mutual sharing of stories and life. We become very dear and dearly beloved by one another.
I hope you feel beloved in your church community and God’s love is shared through meaningful friendships within your church as well as with the surrounding community. This past month it was such a joy to meet some people from two different churches who described their church and the youth group as places of belonging for people with and without disabilities. Each person was dear and beloved by one another. What a blessing to hear of the body of Christ flourishing in this way!
If you would like to facilitate your church grow in welcoming and befriending people with disabilities, invite them to join us this Monday at 6:00pm CT for the Imago Dei virtual panel discussion moderated by Bishop Martyn Minns. Panelists Rachel, Anne, and Don will be sharing their personal stories. We pray they will become agapētos to you in getting to know them and the body of Christ will be strengthened.
Access Leadership Network seeks to come alongside you in developing communities of belonging among people with and without disabilities in each church of the ACNA. The Imago Dei virtual event is one opportunity to invite other church members to join you and consider how God is calling you and your church forward in building the body of Christ.
In Christ's love and service,
Deacon Kathy Ayres
AcLN Director
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
| 
