United Methodist National Task Force on Developmental Disabilities

Mission

The mission of the United Methodist National Task Force on Developmental Disabilities is to identify, develop and communicate about programs and resources for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities within the faith community of each Annual Conference, and to mobilize disability champions to represent each Annual Conference and promote our vision. The task force is sponsored by UMCOR Health, General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) of the United Methodist Church.

History

The United Methodist National Task Force on Developmental Disabilities began in 1992 in Leavenworth, Kansas, to ensure that persons with developmental disabilities, their families and caregivers were included and nurtured in the worshipping community.

Pat Cook, the Task Force's founding member, requested that a group sponsored by GBGM be formed. This group would include representatives from across the United States who have a passion for persons with developmental disabilities and their families. The purpose of this group would be to work for inclusion and accessibility for persons with disabilities within United Methodist churches. This group, first envisioned by Ms. Cook, became the United Methodist National Task Force on Developmental Disabilities. It was instrumental in changing the language of the Book of Discipline, paragraph 652 to include a provision for each annual conference to have a committee on disability concerns.

Current Work

The Task Force is comprised of sixteen people who work towards making the church a welcoming place for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Some of their current work includes:

Meeting once per year as a whole committee to set goals and establish priorities – The next task force meeting will be in July 2010 in Kansas at the Church of Resurrection
Participating in monthly conference calls to review goals and provide progress reports.
Providing printed resources on developmental disabilities and spirituality to congregations and individuals
Serving as advocates for disability concerns

Task Force Members

MYRA CARR Florida	SHIRLEY READDEAN New York	Emeritus Members PAT COOK Kansas
BETH DEHOFF Indiana	REV. SCOTT RITCHEY Arizona	MARTHA HINDMAN Iowa
MIKE DYSON North Carolina	DAVID SUITS New York
RUSSELL EWELL Missouri	LYNN SWEDBERG Washington	Advisors PATRICIA MAGYAR New York
REV. DR. AL HERZOG Ohio	TIM TICE Kansas	NIELS FRENCH Tennessee
ERIC PRIDMORE Mississippi	DEBBIE WADE Alabama	DR. CHARLOTTE SHEPARD Arizona

Contact Information

More information about The United Methodist National Task Force on Developmental Disabilities can be obtained from Patricia Magyar, Health & Welfare Ministries, General Board of Global Ministries, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330, New York, New York 10115, 212-870-3683.