[Faith-talk] What do you want sighted pastors and church members toknow?

[Timothy Clark Music]

simply this. 
 blind people are no different then sighted people. 
 only thing that set's the blind apart is the lack of physical sight not the lack of spiritual sight. this means that we should be treeted the same as the sighted folks in our lives. 
 also, bolitins should be read out loud to help with the lack of you not being able to see them. 
 just ask your pastor to read them at the end of the service. 
 hope this helps.
Timothy 
 Your friend in the music industry 
 follow me on twitter @timothyclark13 
 to check out music, photos, videos, press, show dates, and more go to http://www.reverbnation.com/timothyclark13 
 feel free to give me a call at 
 7244011224 
 note, if i don't answer your call just leave me a voicemail and i'll get back in contact with you as soon as possible 
 thanks and god bless

On Jul 14, 2013, at 4:15 AM, Lauren Merryfield wrote:

> Hi,
> See below:
> What is life?
> It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
> It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.
> It is the little shadow which runs across
> the grass and loses itself in the sunset.
> 
> ~ Crowfoot, Blackfoot
> join me at
> www.catlines.com and
> www.LettingTheCatOutOfTheBag.com
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Greg Aikens" <gpaikens at gmail.com>
> To: "for the discussion of faith and religion Faith-talk" <faith-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, July 13, 2013 2:33 PM
> Subject: [Faith-talk] What do you want sighted pastors and church members toknow?
> 
> 
>> Hi friends,
>> I'm working on a project for my denomination's center for the blind and am putting together some resources for pastors and church members who have questions about interacting with blind people in their congregations.  My goal is to debunk major myths and misconceptions about blindness from a religious perspective.  I want to be thorough and thought I would ask on this list for suggestions people have of topics to cover.
>> 
>> What are the biggest challenges and barriers that blind people face when visiting a new church or trying to become a member of a new congregation?
> **Too many people not talking to me. They don't get close enough to me to find out that I'm not more fragile than they are, less intelligent than they are, or all that different from them. If they would just interact more with me, it would help greatly.
> 
> If they would not see me as "deformed" "broken" "not whole" or as less than themselves. I am okay the way I am and they need to learn that.
> What challenges and barriers do blind people encounter in churches even after long time attendance?
> **Not being included on committees, not being given the same information other members have access to, being thought of as unwhole and needing to be fixed or healed, etc. >
>> What do you wish you could express to pastors and church members that might change their attitudes?
>> I want them to hear me and actually listen to what I say. I want them to realize I have an interesting and helpful perspective on life that they would do well to hear. I want them to know that God made me exactly the way I am to give others the opportunity to interact with me as a creation of God and that God loves me just the way I am and that kind of unconditional love is what I want to give and receive in the church setting. I want them to know that it hurts when I am excluded from any aspects of church activity. I want to be included wherever I can be of service, whether it is choir, committees, planning social activities, etc.
> 
> I have been able to participate in music in several churches but not much of anything else. One problem I have is that I tend to be rather quiet and shy so it is not in my nature to be loud, obnoxious and force myself on people to include me. I know some blind people who do that. I used to be really embarrassed by it but now I might understand why they do it.
>> What would you say to a pastor who is concerned about being able to reach out to the blind people who visit his or her church?
>> Just reach out to blind people the same as you would with anyone else. Visit them either at church or in their homes.  Call them. Emamil them.
>> I'm looking for both negative and positive experiences you have had as a blind person trying to get involved in a local church.  What made your experiences positive or negative?  Successful or unsuccessful?
>> **I was in one church where some members didn't want me to take my turn as platform assistant and provider of music because I "didn't look like a good example of God's creation." In that same church, a couple decided not to give my daughter and me rides anymore because "You are too negative. If you were more positive, you wouldn't stay blind." I'm not kidding; that's what they said.
> 
> I have successfully been part of several church choirs and those experiences have been good. My last choir director was almost too much into being politically correct, but at least he treated me as an equal more than anyone ever has. I really appreciated that.
> 
> I have also read poetry or other readings in church, which I've enjoyed doing and I think it is good for the congregations to see someone reading braille.
> 
> One time, the power went out during choir practice and my sister (who is also blind) and I were the only ones who could sing our parts correctly. That was funny and interesting. We also led them into the choir loft, steps and all.
> Let us know what you come up with. It could be really helpful!
> Thanks
> Lauren
>> Thank you for your thoughtful responses.
>> 
>> Blessings,
>> Greg Aikens
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
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