“Faces of Inclusion” Symposium

Members of local faith communities can learn how to offer more opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to express their spirituality and practice their faith at “Faces of Inclusion:  Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities.”

The symposium will be held on May 12, 2003, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Bet Shalom Congregation, 13613 Orchard Road, Minnetonka.  Members of all faiths are welcome to attend.

The morning segment is designed for members of the clergy.  The afternoon program will be for the lay community, professionals and families.  The symposium’s goal is to impart a vision of the importance of including people with disabilities in communities of faith.  The afternoon segment will provide breakout sessions with practical solutions on inclusion.

The guest speaker will be William Gaventa, coordinator of community and congregational supports at the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities and assistant professor at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.  He is the editor of “Spirituality and Intellectual Disability,” a book that examines religious and spiritual practices for people with developmental disabilities.

“Faces of Inclusion” is a joint effort of Arc Hennepin-Carver, Jewish Inclusion Program for People with Disabilities at Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis, Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, and JRG Ministries.

For registration or more information, call (952) 920-0855.  The cost is $35 per person, which includes lunch and refreshments.  The registration deadline is May 5, 2003.