Beacon Church Initiative

Creating the cultural shifts necessary for more welcoming, accessible, and vibrant communities where every member of the Body may come experience worship and share their gifts.

At Bridge, we believe that following Jesus is never a solitary journey. In view of this, Spiritual Connections has supported events such as the Sunday Evening Celebrations (SEC), and Roots and Wings Bible Study in order to meet the spiritual and relational needs of our friends with disabilities. 

Central to our efforts will always be the importance of connecting the individual to the body of Christ. But equally important is the empowering of our friends, church communities, and volunteers to equip them for the establishing of meaningful relationships that build one another up. 

How can Spiritual Connections help in this Initiative? 

Educate

  • BCC (Beacon Church Collaborative) Conference is held annually in October and is facilitated by professionals in the field of disability as well as self-advocates.
  • Resource Library Click on our library for quick navigation to helpful resources.

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Connect

  • Beacon Church Collaborative Zoom meetings held quarterly with groups from participating churches where we can support one another in inclusive ministry for the disabled.
  • Social Events held monthly such as the SEC Monthly Celebrations and other social gatherings. Spiritual Connections will assist in the planning and promotion of these events with our local churches.
  • Assist in the planning of Bridging Hearts Bags Events meant to make important personal connections with those who are challenged with disabilities, as well as their family and caregivers. 

We invite your church community to be a beacon – a light on a hill – that welcomes people of all abilities to come and find safe harbor in the love and grace found in Jesus. 

Beacon Church Collaborative ZOOM Meetings

Our Beacon Church Collaborative is off to a great start this year! Please join us!

This collaborative brings together a network of King County churches consisting of those who are well-seasoned in disability ministry as well as congregations who are newly considering it. We meet once per quarter via Zoom to collaborate about how to improve (or introduce) disability ministry within our churches. It is meant to be a source of information sharing and support between churches. After all, we were never meant to do ministry alone. We need each other!

Please contact Jackiek@bridgemin.org for details and the Zoom link for each meeting.

***All previous Zoom meetings have been archived both as audio files and text summaries. Access by clicking here: archives. ***

Upcoming Events:

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2023 BCC Conference – COMING OCTOBER 24!

Our second annual Beacon Church Collaborative Conference is set, and we hope you will join us for a time of learning, sharing, and supporting one another as we navigate how to create and/or grow a better inclusive space for our friends with disabilities within our churches.

We are featuring 3 local speakers who will lead us in the conference and guide discussion workshops: David Anderson, PhD in Practical Theology and specializing in disability ministry; Ben Acone, Pastor of Students and Connections at Advent Anglican Church; and Natalie Higashiyama, Director of Parish Care at Advent Anglican Church. Both Ben and Natalie are parents of a disabled child who know and understand the many challenges that face local congregations who desire to include those with disabilities and their families as a vital part of their church congregation.

Details: Tuesday, October 24, 2023 from 9am-1pm at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Kirkland.

The conference registration fee of $15 will include a continental breakfast offering and a delicious lunch. You will also leave with conference materials to continue to guide and help you.

The conference location offers these disability accommodations:

Accessible parking in front and back of the church building

Ramp to front entrance

Entrance doorways are 33 inches wide

Accessible restrooms for both men (2) and women (2) and the restroom doors are 32 inches wide.

Accessible family/non-gendered restrooms (2)

Hospital grade air purification system

Slideshow text alongside speakers

Space to pace, stand, and elevate feet

To Register click here: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/BCCConference

We look forward to meeting together on this very important topic that impacts both the faith as well as the disability communities.

Upcoming Events:

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Churches Who Partner with Bridge

A faith community intentionally taking steps toward inviting and worshiping with people of all abilities.

We believe that no matter what abilities an individual has, God desires for all of us to worship Him in the context of community.

BELLEVUE

KENMORE

KIRKLAND

MERCER ISLAND

NORMANDY PARK

PRESTON

REDMOND

RENTON

SAMMAMISH

SEATTLE

SHORELINE

WOODINVILLE