Removing Barriers,

Creating Communities of Belonging.


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

 

September 2026  


Friends,


Access Leadership Network (AcLN) seeks to come alongside churches across the ACNA to inspire, equip, and empower leaders to build the body of Christ, enabling people of all abilities to worship, grow, and serve together. I hope you can be inspired, better equipped and empowered in the ministry you are doing in your church. Every step is valuable as you build the body of Christ in your local church.


Please read to the end and make note of the Fall application period of the AcLN Access Grants, which closes October 15. AcLN would like to empower your good ministry!


Be Inspired

Mutual Belonging: A documentary on faith, disability, and belonging.


Mutual Belonging is a formational pilot documentary which explores disability through the lens of the Christian faith. Interweaving the story of Jay, an autistic gentleman in Kentucky, with theological interviews from Dr. John Swinton, Dr. Armand Léon van Ommen, Dr. Brian Brock, and Dr. Grant Macaskill, this film offers an initial exploration into how congregations can faithfully share life with people with disabilities within their individual and collective lives. 


We’d love to learn more about your story! Connect with AcLN


Become more Equipped

Joni and Friends Resource Links for Churches - find a Ministry Relations person near you. They can share resources and help you discern what God is calling your church to do; matching the needs of your context.


Fostering Belonging - Dr. Erik Carter, Baylor Ctr for Disability & Flourishing - A great series of videos to watch and discuss with a group from your church. What are we doing well and what do we want to do next? 


For more resources email Dcn. Kathy Ayres


Become more Empowered

AcLN Access Grants - A matching Access Grant is designed to assist a church desiring to expand ministry with people impacted by disability. Access Grant funds are intended to supplement the financial cost of a ministry idea, not fully fund the project. Fall application period is Sept. 15 to October 15, 2026.

Blessings to you as we continue to grow together!


Dcn. Kathy Ayres

Director, Access Leadership Network

and

The AcLN Leadership team,

Ruth Brewbaker

Beth Kirby

Don Pollard

Heidi Reichert



October virtual gathering

Theology and Disability



We look forward to learning more!

Monday, October 19 - 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


Join AcLN newsletter and updates.

 

More information: Access Leadership Network Director, Deacon Kathy Ayres.


Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

to keep up with NGLI and all we are working on!


August Newsletter with info about Joni and Friends resources.



View previous newsletters.

Access Leadership Network (AcLN) seeks to come alongside churches across the ACNA to inspire, equip, and empower leaders

to build the body of Christ, enabling

people of all abilities to worship, grow, and serve together.

 

Access Leadership Network (AcLN) Virtual Gatherings

Our Pattern is meeting the third Monday of the month at 7:00pm ET.

(with breaks in Sept, Dec, April, June, July)

Future AcLN Virtual Gatherings

Third Monday of the Month

7:00 - 8:00on (ET)

.

November 16 - Holiday Stresses -

with small group break-out rooms

centered around different specific needs


We are considering having two sessions of the Nov 16 virtual gathering: 

One at 7pm Eastern and One at 7pm Mountain.


Please let us know if you are interested in having a Mountain time session.


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.

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Access Leadership Network (AcLN) seeks to come alongside churches across the ACNA to inspire, equip, and empower leaders 

to build the body of Christ, enabling 

people of all abilities to worship, grow, and serve together.



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

email Dcn. Kathy Ayres.

 
 

ACNA Provincial Leadership Networks | Website