Local UMC Earns the Gold Level Status as a "Disability Friendly" Church

By: Bobby Sharp

During 2021-22, Mount Tabor participated in the UMC Disability Ministries Committee’s formal process for local churches to audit our “disability friendliness.” The process includes an extensive, detailed self-review followed by a site review by a representative of the Disability Ministries Committee, with both steps focused on the disability friendliness of spaces, attitudes, and practices. The formal process can result in the recognition of exceptional disability friendly churches with a Gold Level, a Silver Level, or a Bronze Level status.
(https://umcdmc.org/resources/accessibility-and-united-methodist-churches/)

The result of the audit and the site review is that Mount Tabor is recognized by the United Methodist Church’s Disability Ministries Committee as achieving Gold Level status as a disability friendly church. The Gold Level badge can be displayed at Mount Tabor’s website and in all published materials. Mount Tabor also received a certification of recognition from the Committee. Mount Tabor’s website now includes a reference to this Gold Level status and an image of the certificate. (https://www.mttaborumc.org/im-new > Accessibility)

Since the audit was completed under the aegis of the Church For All People Ministry Team, a representative of the team formally presented the certificate to Pastor Lonnie during a traditional worship service, with prominent announcements made at the two other worship services. We learned of our recognition in the newsletter this past weekend.

This Gold Badge level recognition results from countless decisions made by past and current clergy and lay leaders to form Mount Tabor’s inclusive space, attitudes, and practices for worship and spiritual growth. These leaders embraced the fundamental reality that people with and without disabilities are equally spiritual, equally drawn to worship, equally motivated to serve others, and equally yearn to advance in their faith.