Hidden Treasures - learning disability and the church

News Release: 12 February 2010

Encounters on the Edge issue 44 investigates how fresh expressions of church are improving the spiritual life of people with learning disabilities.

Its author, Claire Dalpra, was astonished to find when chatting to her colleagues in Church Army’s research unit - The Sheffield Centre - that almost everyone had a family, friend, or work connection to someone with learning disabilities. However, this is less surprising when you read that Mencap estimate 1.5 million people in the UK have learning disabilities.

She admits: "Within the many and varied types of mission context in which fresh expressions are being planted, I had identified the mission context as important but assumed it would be an isolated and obscure area of research. How wrong I was."

Issue 44 is called Hidden Treasures: Churches for adults with a learning disability. In it, Claire tells two stories of such churches: Fenland Community Church in March, Cambridgeshire and Focus Service in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

Both are on an intentional journey towards ecclesial maturity, but what particular opportunities and challenges do they face along the way? And do their experiences have anything to say to others involved with fresh expressions of church?

How have both examples been able to fund their work for over a decade despite a membership who are unable to give financially? And do these examples match up to our existing definitions of what is church, or do they challenge them?

Well, you can read for yourself by ordering Encounters on the Edge 44, from the Sheffield Centre by calling 0114 272 7451, or clicking the 'Order Encounters' link at Encounters on the Edge.