The Authentic Diversity and Justice Working Group developed the idea for this year's Lenten Challenge after becoming aware that 2023 is the 50th Anniversary of the passing of Section 504. Our group was looking for an opportunity to highlight this important movement in our country, and share the stories that we don't often get to hear about.

Lent is both a time of reflection of the past and looking to the future, and we saw this as an opportunity to see where the disability community* has been, where they are now, and what we can do to support them moving forward. We also see Lent as a time of preparation, and wanted a chance to shift our mindsets, so that we all can prepare to welcome everyone in our community to our churches.

While we often see Jesus heal disabilities, without thinking what it means to be living with a disability in his time. These people would have been truly outcasted by their society, and this was Jesus' way of making sure that everyone in the community is included. Our hope is that this year's Lenten Challenge will open our minds and hearts to being aware of the way we have inadvertently excluded people from worship and community, and move in a direction towards inclusion.

Each week includes:

Story of an individual
Action Items
Prayer

*In this series we will switch between identity and person first language, acknowledging that each person has the right to determine how they are labeled. It is always best to follow the language preference of the person with a disability than to decide how they should be identified.

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

The Authentic Diversity and Justice Working Group is saddened by the unexpected death of Disability Rights Leader, Judy Heumann on March 4th. Judy was disabled after having Polio as a toddler, and became a wheelchair user. She fought for disability rights most of her life, including becoming the first teacher to use a wheelchair in New York City, a leader of the San Francisco 504 Sit-in, helped improve accessibility internationally through the World Bank, and served roles in both the Clinton and Obama administrations. Judy's autobiography "Being Heumann" created the initial inspiration for the ADJ's Lenten Challenge this year. We appreciate her lifelong dedication to advocacy and community building across abilities, race, gender, orientation, faith, and more. “yehi zichra baruch,” May her memory be for blessing.

Lenten Challenge: Centering the Disability Community