Tuesday 27 September 2016

Reflection on Psalms 133 and Brexit

         Psalm 133 (below) is quite short as psalms go, and yet is says so very much about God’s intensions for us all. Unity is about living together as the people of God, it is about mutual support and love. This Unity is also about everyone on this planet earth, it is not restricted to national or political boundaries. A concept some have lost in the whole Brexit fallout.

We find it so easy to identify the differences between people, be it accent, language, colour if the skin, social standing, gender, physical ability, size, and looks. Yet it is not the differences in the person who is under the microscope that matter, it is the person who is homing in on these differences that really matters, for they are the wrong ones. They fail to understand, or just choose to ignore for selfish gain, that we are ‘all’ equal, we are all one.

If only we did cherish unity above disunity then we would be truly blessed in this life, and would be so much closer to what God had intended earthly life to be like, that is Heaven. When God created humankind He did not create us a perfect, but only as ‘good’, like the rest of creation, just good.



Psalm 133

Behold how good and pleasant it is
to dwell together in unity.

It is like the precious oil upon the head,
running down upon the beard,

Even on Aaron’s beard,
running down upon the collar of his clothing.

It is like the dew of Hermon
running down upon the hills of Zion.

For there the Lord has promised his blessing:
even life for evermore.

(Psalm 133 NRSV)



Cite this article as: Fr. Jeffrey A.Leach.CBV, "Reflection on Psalm 133 and Brexit" in Community of the Blessed Virgin Blog, 27 September 2016, http://cbvprayer.blogspot.co.uk/

Tuesday 20 September 2016

Just Don't Go There; things not to say and write


Yes, there is political correctness, and I am sure we all get fed up of that. I am also sure like all differently-abled people, or if you like, disabled people, I still smile when someone is speaking to me and they get themselves into a right mess trying to skirt around my ‘predicament’. But it is what it is, and in truth the vast majority of people are so very kind and helpful they are forgiven tenfold for verbal trips.

However, just now and again you read something and you say to yourself, I can’t believe he said that! Especially when it is someone you hold in high regard. Today whilst reading the faculty case of Re Otley, All Saints [2015] (Leeds CCt) the chancellor, for whatever reason, decided to use old liturgical language to address those of us who are not ‘able-bodied’; he used the term; ‘infirm’!

Well my dear chancellor I am not infirm, not in a month of Sundays am I infirm, it’s an insult, and a nasty word to use.

Whilst I am talking about faculties, a word to the wise. When chancellors speak about addressing the law with regards reordering, especially in churches that are listed, the law does not stop at Duffield – the law also includes the Equality Act 2010.

So if you are considering changes in your church, stop think – what do we need to do to be inclusive.

Friday 2 September 2016


Ramps



Ramps are becoming more common in our churches, either as fixed or permanent features, or temporary ramps that are laid out 'when the need arises'. Ramps are not only there for wheelchair users, but also for people who find steps difficult, this may include the less mobile due to some form of disability, or sometimes people who are finding that with age it is not so easy to cope with steps. Of course ramps can also be very useful for other people such as those with pushchairs, or even for those people who are making deliveries. All in all ramps can be beneficial as access to our church buildings and other buildings such as church halls.

From much experience as a wheelchair user I can say that there is nothing less welcoming than a church that does not have access for a person who relies on a wheelchair. I must also comment that being ‘sent around the side’ of the building to another door is degrading!



Every church wants to make new people, and visitors, welcome; well that is the Christian theme of love for after all. So being faced with a step, if you cannot do steps, is not a good start. It is also most embarrassing when a person has to wait for the ramp to be put out for them. I am always appreciative when this is done for me, especially to the poor person that has to struggle with the contraption, but I am embarrassed none the less. I have also had to wait to get out of churches when the ramp has been taken up after I am in, because clearly I am the only wheelchair user to be using that church that day.


Now there are health and safety issues:

1. Person putting ramp out, noting I am in a wheel chair due to a manual handling injury.

2. Ramp user driving off edge, particularly if it is a ‘home made ramp.

3. Will the ramp take the wait of the chair and user? Many electric wheelchair’s, and scooters are very heavy because of the batteries they carry.

4. Storage, where to keep the ramp when not in use; and No! Not in the disabled access toilet!!



Permanent ramps have to be the only solution. But these take planning and finance. If the church is used for weekly external activities, there may be funding streams that can be applied for. Otherwise it has to be regarded as a legitimate expense that the church must cost in as part of its mission and ministry. Legal permission will be needed, and advice sort, so do not just do it, especially if your church building is listed!

This is just a brief start on a huge subject, I hope it gets you thinking.



Cite this article as: Fr. Jeffrey A.Leach.CBV, "Church Ramps" in Disabling Barriers to Church Blog, 02 September 2016, http://disablingbarrierstochurch.blogspot.co.uk/