The Episcopal Church Center’s Evangelism and Congregational Life Center has established the Ministry for People Living with Disabilities. Angeline Cabanban, associate Program Officer for Ethnic & Multicultural Issues, has been named to this new position.

Angie said, “as the Episcopal Congregational Life point person for people living with disabilities – both mental and physical, be it visible or invisible – it is my hope that, with your help, we will be able to achieve some specific goals.”

These goals are outlined on the website at www.episcopalchurch.org/disabilities.htm.

They are the following:

• Help congregations to be physically and spiritually accessible and hospitable to people living with disabilities
• Help people living with disabilities to be able to bring in their gifts so that they will not only be active members but active leaders of the church.

And for these goals to be achieved, we would endeavor to do the following:

• Gather existing resources, both print as well as other forms of media, and identify best practices for people living with disabilities
• Work collaboratively with ECC staff on resources for people living with disabilities
• Collaborate on projects with existing Episcopal disabilities networks and other colleagues in the different denominations dealing with the same issues
• Help people visit other links where they can find other resources to meet their needs
• Work collaboratively with interfaith and ecumenical staff on resources for people living with disabilities.

The ministry website includes helpful resources and links to organizations assisting people with mental illnesses or who have hearing or vision impairments.

Angie invites everyone to share thoughts and ideas so that, “together, we will be able to make our dream a reality.”

You may contact Angie at:

Email: acabanban@episcopalchurch.org

Phone: (212) 716-6186