By Angela Molloy
On July 24-26, 2026, clergy and laity from across the Western Jurisdiction gathered for “Repent and Repair: A Call to Disability Justice 36 Years After the ADA.” Participants from ten different states met virtually and at in-person hubs to turn from ableism to wholeness.
In the face of injustice and rising eugenics, we connected across time and space to name ableism as sin, to repent of the Church’s role in ableist discrimination, and to commit to building God’s inclusive, justice-filled Kin-dom on earth.
Led by disability ministry leaders across the connection, this event offered worship, fellowship over meals, workshops, and a documentary screening, which equipped participants to return to their congregations with new knowledge for practical and prophetic change.
We encourage everyone to learn about disability history in their own contexts by watching one or more of the following documentaries:
- Change Not Charity (PBS)
- Crip Camp (Netflix or YouTube)
- Lives Worth Living (PBS)
Saturday’s Workshops
The full day of workshops began with Revs. Daniel Viehland and Melinda Baber of the Mountain Sky Conference, and GNW Disability Ministries Committee chair Angela Molloy, discussing disability theology. The three clarified the difference between healing and curing and shared how they exegete challenging biblical narratives of healing.
Next, PNW Deaconess Lynn Swedberg taught about the principles of Universal Design, connecting them to a wide range of church architectural changes and accessible worship practices.
Rev. Melinda Baber and Pastor Caralyn Ware of the Mountain Sky spoke with Rev. David Owsley of the PNW about their experiences as neurodivergent clergy, beautifully exploring how local churches and ordaining bodies can be more receptive to the gifts and calls of neurodivergent leaders.
Alaska Deaconess Jenn Miller led a workshop on ministry with disabled and neurodivergent kids and youth, challenging participants to think of behavior as communication and to meet sensory needs without pretending that doing so is a reward for “ideal” behavior.
We then rounded out the day with a discussion of accessibility audits and best practices for disrupting ableism in our religious architecture, attitudes, behaviors, and practices.
Missed the Conference?
You can still engage in the conversation. Find the captioned recordings of our Saturday worship service and our five workshops here:
You can find our Sunday worship service here:
We look forward to gathering again next summer for an all-virtual event. Be on the lookout for more information to be shared in the coming months!
Angela Molloy (she/her), M.Div, serves as chair of the GNW Area Disability Ministries Committee.
