| Full Inclusion Living and Learning Unitarian Universalist Society |
I find myself thinking of an evening in a small town in central New York. I was keynoting the first day of a
conference discussing teaching for students diagnosed with autism, and demand had far outstripped the capacity
of the venue where the conference was to be held. The local evangelical church graciously allowed us to use
their much larger space.
The conference was to be held the next day. That Friday night, we tested the projectors and set down the various
brochures and handouts. The facility, though, was in full swing around us. I tested out my sound system while a
teenage gospel rock band rehearsed. Another room held a cooking activity, with the food being earmarked for the
local poor. Another room held a group of young people planning out ministry to the local retirement home.
Another room held a men’s discussion circle. I saw notices on the bulletin boards about missionaries from the
congregation, including pre-teen children from the congregation, who were sending information back from Africa.
I remember thinking, “This is hardcore!” It seemed like the whole town revolved around this facility, and
congregants were nothing if not dedicated and mutually supportive. Can you imagine people in such an all-
encompassing religious and social effort expressing frustration with another congregant because he lacked
particular verbal skills or had an activity level above what is typically expected? Can you imagine that a role could
not be found for the person?
I believe that this example is what we must reach towards. Specific religious doctrine aside, this place served a
community and spiritual function for its members. Services in the form of Sunday worship are one thing. Taking
the ideas and translating them into action, actions that can take advantage of the skills and dedication of all
members of the congregation, is the ultimate goal. Unitarian Universalists have sometimes been called “Free
thinking mystics with hands” (Owen-Towle, 1998). When this is taken to heart, and the promise is translated into
action, the difficulties that some members of our congregations might have with some of the more verbal, or some
of the more sedentary, aspects of worship dissolve into nothingness. The only question is whether our
congregations are creating these outlets, providing opportunities for all members of the congregation to put their
desires into action. If we are not, we run the risk of being nothing but talkers. “By their fruits shall ye know them”
is a commonly heard phrase. “Put up or shut up” is another. Fine talk that is not followed up with fine deeds
rings a bit hollow.
Bobby Newman: Adapted from The Inherent Worth and Dignity of All Individuals
conference discussing teaching for students diagnosed with autism, and demand had far outstripped the capacity
of the venue where the conference was to be held. The local evangelical church graciously allowed us to use
their much larger space.
The conference was to be held the next day. That Friday night, we tested the projectors and set down the various
brochures and handouts. The facility, though, was in full swing around us. I tested out my sound system while a
teenage gospel rock band rehearsed. Another room held a cooking activity, with the food being earmarked for the
local poor. Another room held a group of young people planning out ministry to the local retirement home.
Another room held a men’s discussion circle. I saw notices on the bulletin boards about missionaries from the
congregation, including pre-teen children from the congregation, who were sending information back from Africa.
I remember thinking, “This is hardcore!” It seemed like the whole town revolved around this facility, and
congregants were nothing if not dedicated and mutually supportive. Can you imagine people in such an all-
encompassing religious and social effort expressing frustration with another congregant because he lacked
particular verbal skills or had an activity level above what is typically expected? Can you imagine that a role could
not be found for the person?
I believe that this example is what we must reach towards. Specific religious doctrine aside, this place served a
community and spiritual function for its members. Services in the form of Sunday worship are one thing. Taking
the ideas and translating them into action, actions that can take advantage of the skills and dedication of all
members of the congregation, is the ultimate goal. Unitarian Universalists have sometimes been called “Free
thinking mystics with hands” (Owen-Towle, 1998). When this is taken to heart, and the promise is translated into
action, the difficulties that some members of our congregations might have with some of the more verbal, or some
of the more sedentary, aspects of worship dissolve into nothingness. The only question is whether our
congregations are creating these outlets, providing opportunities for all members of the congregation to put their
desires into action. If we are not, we run the risk of being nothing but talkers. “By their fruits shall ye know them”
is a commonly heard phrase. “Put up or shut up” is another. Fine talk that is not followed up with fine deeds
rings a bit hollow.
Bobby Newman: Adapted from The Inherent Worth and Dignity of All Individuals
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