So for those wishing to be part of our plan for a project on a theology of the marginalised let me try and set out some guidelines.
- If Disability and Jesus are the ones to sponsor, host and co-ordinate then it must be done according to the standards we set for equality and inclusion.
- The marginalised groups we will be seeking input from are as follows, the disabled community, the BAME community, the LGBT community and the refugee community. People who have issues with any of these groups have no place here.
- Whilst we welcome input from the purely academic it must be understood from the outset that it is the voice of marginalised people themselves in their own words that will hold sway.
- Anything we produce will have to be done in ways that are accessible to all groups so we will have to be able to produce things in a range of languages, to produce a signed copy for deaf and hard of hearing people and braille and large print for visually impaired people.
- Nothing will be released for publication until we are able to produce all of those in point 4 simultaneously, anything else is simply not equality.
- We feel that there is a cry from UK society for such a project that has a sense of immediacy and urgency. So because we will be working hopefully with many of you we will work out a schedule. If that schedule does not work for some we sadly will carry on without them. If we wait to try and fit in with everyone's diaries it simply won't happen.
- Whilst we do not seek to be party political please be in no doubt that this is a work that carries serious political implications. We believe that this is a gospel imperative and will not shy away from it. If this is daunting to anyone then this will not be the project for you.
- We welcome and indeed encourage from national church leaders as we feel whatever is produced will only be affective if it reaches maximum exposure on a national level.
We shall promote the idea for the next 10 days. In that time please send expressions of interest if you wish to be involved giving a little of your background, your area of interest and wether or not you consider yourself to be part of one of the marginalised groups mentioned, by sending an email to dave@disabilityandjesus.org.uk.
At the end of that 10 day period Dave will collate all that information, then seek to find an accessible venue close to a mainline rail station in a city or town that is as near equidistant to all interested parties as possible.
We want to act on this quickly as a response to a mood that we sense in the nation right now.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Every blessing
Dave & guide dog Jarvis, on behalf of Disability and Jesus.
Jarrow
Sun 18th June, 2017
Hi, I emailed, but I didn't give my background. If you're serious about the margins, then you need to consider including poverty in your list - that what you do shouldn't exclude people who are poor - I'm Bi, and disabled (Bipolar, Asperger's and Diabetes mostly, sometimes fatigue) and poor. Including people by Skype would be good, if possible, as I'm in West Wales, and getting anywhere is expensive.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as we have something arranged we will be in touch
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