Repent and Repair: A Call to Disability Justice 36 Years After the ADA
2026-07-24 - 2026-07-26 | Bothell United Methodist Church, 18515 92nd Ave NE, Bothell, 98011, United States
Description: This collaborative event will bring together churches from across the Western Jurisdiction to mark the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Gathering at in-person hubs and virtually, clergy and lay participants will learn about accessibility, anti-ableism, and disability justice through practical workshops led by Disability Ministry leaders across the Jurisdiction. Engaging in worship, fellowship over meals, and an optional documentary screening will equip participants to return to their congregations with new knowledge for practical and prophetic change. We will lament the sin of ableism and commit to working to build God’s inclusive, justice-filled Kin-dom on earth.
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The goal of this conference is to gather UMC leaders and congregations across the Western Jurisdiction for 2.5 days of community learning about disability justice in the church. Churches and their leaders will have the opportunity to participate in the full event or to just join worship onSunday July 26th, the 36th anniversary of the ADA. By offering the opportunity to worship together across space on Sunday we will reach more churches and will demonstrate for them how they can lead Disability Awareness Sunday in their own contexts next year.
Schedule:
Friday 7/24 (local time, in-person only, optional):
5pm-7:30pm Dinner, Documentary Screening and Discussion
Saturday 7/25 (in-person at a hub or virtually):
8am PT/9am MT: check in and light breakfast
9am-10:15am PT/ 10am-11:15am MT: Worship
10:20-11:20 PT/ 11:20-12:20 MT: Workshop 1 – Disability Theology Panel
11:30 PT/12:30 MT: Lunch
12:30 PT/1:30 MT: Workshop 2 – Universal Design
1:30 PT/2:30 MT: Break
1:45 PT/2:45 MT: Workshop 3 – Neurodivergence Panel
2:45 PT/3:45 MT: Break
3:00 PT/ 4:00 MT: Workshop 4 – Kids/Youth
4:00 PT/ 5:00 MT: Break
4:15 PT/ 5:15 MT: Workshop 5 – Anti-Ableism and Accessibility Audits
5:15 PT/ 6:15 MT: Closing Remarks and Invitation to Sunday Worship
5:30 PT/6:30 MT: Dinner
Sunday 7/26 (gathered at hubs or livestreaming from own church):
9:30am PT/10:30am MT: Worship
