Challenges of Interfaith Dialogue in Disability Ministries

By Rev. Betty McManus
Ministry Consultant
Bethesda Lutheran Communities

Bethesda Lutheran Communities supports people of a variety of faith backgrounds. Honoring each person as an individual child of God requires the openness of ensuring religious choice is honored. Interestingly, in a state-wide census of all the group homes throughout Wisconsin, it was discovered 30% of the people Bethesda supports have a Catholic faith background – yet Bethesda was only in partnership with three Catholic churches.

Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills: What’s Desirable?

By Lynn Wiles
Bethesda Lutheran Communities

Employers describe “soft skills” as those that cannot be taught but that are intrinsic to good workers.

When polled, the three soft skill traits most often identified as “desirable” among workers by almost 1,000 U.S. and Canadian employers were:

• Motivation,the inherent drive one has to work.
• Reliability,equated with doing one’s tasks consistently.
• Dependability,which differs from reliability as defined by employers to encompass consistent attendance and punctuality. It is being able to be counted on.

Have You Asked Him Yet?

By Sandra Brese Rice
Bethesda Lutheran Communities

“I’ve had a breakthrough! I’m so excited!” proclaimed a friend of mine who just began to pastor a congregation in Pennsylvania. He was referring to John, a young man with Down syndrome who attends church regularly with his parents. 

Services or Supports?

By Kelly Thran

In working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities I find that we use the words “support” and “services” interchangeably when describing how we are paid to interact with people.  These words have very different meanings, with a wide ranging influence in the quality of interaction.  They may hold even more meaning and influence when working with adults who rely heavily on others to navigate their day.