People with disabilities may not be able to read, hear or understand the word of God, but they still have spiritual needs that aren’t met by many churches.
That’s why the John 17:21 Ministry was formed eight years ago at Wesley United Methodist Church in Kahala, where disabled people are made to feel welcome and can participate in church services, said the Rev. Phyllis Meighen. She said she was inspired to form the group by her brother Tim, who has Down syndrome and couldn’t understand the sermons, but had a love for God nonetheless.
A core group of volunteers from different churches has managed to keep the ministry alive through sheer dedication and community contributions, she said. In celebration of that, the John 17:21 Ministry is holding its first fundraising dinner and silent auction Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church. For reservations and information, leave a message at 561-6361.
"I am so taken by the faith of the people coming and the faithfulness of the volunteers to see that it keeps going," Meighen said. "I think that’s incredible, the number of churches involved. That’s a joy for me. It’s a ministry of the community — that’s very, very exciting; it’s really of the spirit."
She will fly in from Kauai, where she has been a United Church of Christ minister since 2006, to attend the event.
Aileen Akamine, who has cerebral palsy, said the John 17:21 Ministry has given her the chance to make a lot of friends, participate in fun activities and learn about God. Having to read Scripture or use American Sign Language to lead a group in "singing" a song has helped her to get over the fear of standing up and speaking in front of people, she said.
"When you are in Christ, you shouldn’t have any fear," Akamine said.
Maryknoll Sister Joan Chatfield, a founding member of the John 17:21 Ministry, said the group’s name refers to the Scripture passage "that all of them may be one," meaning "that everybody would be welcome." Many people are a little uncomfortable around the disabled, and as a result they are often isolated, she said. The ministry’s goal is to encourage other churches to learn how to serve their disabled members and to get them involved, she said.
Jonna Zane, also a founding member, said other churches have heard about John 17:21 and started sending their disabled members to Wesley United. "It definitely meets a need in the community," Zane said. "It’s very clear the group is not reached spiritually."
The ministry meets on the second Sunday of every month. Attendance ranges from 40 to 60 people from as far away as Pearl City and Windward Oahu. Most attendees are middle-age people with varying physical, cognitive and/or emotional disabilities.
Gatherings begin with a free dinner at 4 p.m. to break the ice, followed by interactive activities, games and a worship service adapted to different levels of understanding. What’s most important is that everyone takes part in the service, Zane said.
"Even if they don’t speak really well or don’t read very well, someone will stand next to them and they’ll parrot them. To be in front of a group to lead in that way is not an opportunity that is available to them in any other area of their lives," she said.
Zane, who serves as liaison between John 17:21 and Wesley United, said her church "has been very generous in providing the facility, and monetarily," and in letting its pastor, the Rev. Piula Alailima, preach occasionally. Though most people arrive via bus or the TheHandi-Van, the church allows use of its van to provide free transportation home for everyone, Zane said.
Zane said her church has practiced what it preaches about inclusion since 2000, about the time she started a Sunday school class for her daughter Stephanie, who has Down syndrome, and several of her friends. It evolved into the "Sunshine Friends," an informal club of 10 today that helps with greeting visitors, reading Scripture or prayers, announcing hymns and serving Communion when Zane serves as liturgist for a month at Wesley.
"Three of them serve as acolytes every Sunday, and one member learned to blow a conch shell Hawaiian style to call people to worship," Zane said, adding that everyone in the club also attends John 17:21.
Seventeen churches contribute to the ministry by providing the dinner, a speaker or other services.
Longtime members of the ministry’s core group include Susan Tengan and Dan Shimomura of Hawaii Kai UCC, Terri-Lynn Higashi of Hawaii Ocean Church, Joy Lacanienta and husband Cesar Contreras of Central Union Church, and Anthony Akamine. Music is provided by Florence Shibuya of Makiki Christian Church, Orthodox Christian Bishop Randolph Sykes and the Koinonia Praise Team.
