Promoted by the Christian charity Prospects (formerly A Cause for Concern), 11 September was celebrated by many churches across the UK as ‘Ability Sunday’.
This was an opportunity for churches to recognise and honour the abilities of disabled people in their congregations and communities. There was an emphasis on the support of adults with learning disabilities.
One of the churches which took up this opportunity was Bethel Baptist Church, Upper Hale near Farnham in Surrey. The church was packed with many disabled people of various kinds, welcomed warmly into the service. The event was extremely well organised and the atmosphere was full of love and acceptance. Everyone was given a simple order of service to show where the service was going and which was ticked as things happened. There was also a play area in the hall where those such as Aspergers children could find distraction if needed. The hymns were simple and purposefully repetitive, the sermon about God’s love, from 1 John 4.7–17, short and moving and those with learning difficulties sensitively interviewed at the front. It was an absolutely brilliant occasion which showed the love of Christ.
