Another web-based resource in the area of disability ministry services has been brought to my attention and I felt our “Gleanings Family” would enjoy knowing more about it. Bill Gaventa and I would also like to encourage any readers who have found resources that they would like to write about or refer to me (Don Healy DE-Healy@wiu.edu) for purposes of review to contact us anytime.
Another web-based resource in the area of disability ministry services has been brought to my attention and I felt our “Gleanings Family” would enjoy knowing more about it. Bill Gaventa and I would also like to encourage any readers who have found resources that they would like to write about or refer to me (Don Healy DE-Healy@wiu.edu) for purposes of review to contact us anytime. We are always on the lookout for fresh perspectives and new voices to join in this wonderful conversation about providing spiritual supports for those persons with special needs who might benefit from them.
Key Ministry (www.keyministry.org), founded about ten years ago by neuropsychiatrist Steve Grcevich, MD of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, operates under the motto “A church for every child” whose mission it is to “Help churches serve families affected by disability.” Dr. Grcevich currently serves as Key Ministry’s Chair of the Board of Directors as well as the Program Committee Chairman for Inclusion Fusion, an online series of videos on various topics related to their work and what I have chosen to highlight as part of this review after summarizing some of the many other high quality resources accessible via the website.
The website is easily navigated. Some of the areas I will briefly describe do require membership registration in order to be accessed but there is no charge and signing up is virtually completed “on the spot.” Under the SERVICES drop down box there are descriptions of Training (for a fee) opportunities, fee based Online training, and, “When possible, we offer FREE one day regional training intensives for those who seek to cultivate an inclusive culture in the local church.” This level of involvement would require contacting their office via either the website or by telephone at 440-708-4488. I would encourage interested readers in exploring the RESOURCES section, which includes a number of printable materials covering various topics such as how to begin your efforts (Key Ring Binder), teaching and classroom arrangements (Workbench), systematically pairing qualified volunteers with special needs persons for purposes of giving parents a break (Freerespite) and, among other resources, the Inclusion Fusion Library, an array of more than 50 streaming videos covering a wide variety of topics in this field. Former R&S President Jeff McNair is one of the presenters. These videos, along with other related resources, can also be found on Facebook at Inclusion Fusion. They are of high technical quality and could be easily used for purposes of presentation to groups of individuals interested in such topics.
I encourage readers to explore the many other resources also found on this Key Ministry website that space limitations have precluded me from talking about at more length. Despite my title, Key Ministry has NO reason to be embarrassed. Rather, Dr. Grcevich and his colleagues should be proud of what they have accomplished, and which they intend to keep accomplishing, through their efforts as evidenced in this website. “Well done, good and faithful servant(s)!”
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