Pastoral Care with People with Disabilities (DP9012P)

Content

This unit will address theological, liturgical, ethical and pastoral care issues associated with ministry with people with disabilities. Issues of inclusion in faith communities and community-based settings will be explored. Participants will also examine access (attitudes, friendship, legislation, rights, communications and architecture), to gain deeper understanding of resistance to inclusion. Scripture will be examined as a means of reflection on contemporary theological-pastoral issues pertaining to disability. The relationship between faith and healing, from both a personal and social perspective, and emerging theologies about disability will be explored. A site visit will be part of the unit.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Prerequisite one foundational unit (15 points) in Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies

Pedagogy

The subject will utilize a range of teaching methods: didactic, visiting presenters, personal perspectives, discussion groups, journal writing and reflection, a site visit, selected readings and audio-visual mediums. Students will form learning groups where there are shared areas of interest.

Indicative Bibliography

• Brock, B. & Swinton, J. (eds). Disability in the Christian Tradition: A Reader. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Eerdmans, 2012.
• Calder, A, and Newell, C. (eds). Voices in Disability and Spirituality from the Land Down Under. New York: Haworth Press, 2004.
• Carter, E. Including people with Disabilities in Communities of faith: A Guide for Service Providers, Families and Congregations. Baltimore: Brookes Publishing, 2007.
• Edmonds, M. A Theological Diagnosis: A new Direction on Genetic Therapy, Disability and the Ethics of Healing. London: Jessica Kingsley, 2011.
• Eiesland, N. and Saliers, D. (eds). Human Disability and the Service of God. Nashville, Abingdon Press, 1998.
• Gaventa, W. Disability and Spirituality: Recovering Wholeness. Waco, Texas, Baylor University Press, 2018.
• Melcher, S.J. Parsons M.K. and Yong A. (eds). The Bible and Disability: A Commentary. Waco, Texas, Baylor University Press, 2017.
• Newell, C. (ed). Exclusion and Embrace – conversations about Spirituality and Disability. UnitingCare Victoria, 2001.
• Pinsky, M.I. Amazing Gifts: Stories of Faith, Disability and Inclusion. Vancouver: The Alban Institute, 2012.
• Reinders, H. Receiving the gift of Friendship: Profound Disability, Theological Anthropology and Ethics. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 2008.
• Reynolds, T. Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2007.
• Shurley, A.K. Pastoral Care and intellectual Disabilty: A Person-centred approach*. Waco, Texas, Baylor University Press, 2017.
• Yong, A. The Bible, Disability, and the Church. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Eerdmans, 2011.

Periodicals:

• * Perspectives on Disability*. St Mark's Review. No. 232 July 2015 (2).
• * Journal of Disability and Religion*, Taylor and Francis.

Assessment