Theme: “God of the Disabled:
Walking Together, Serving Justice, Peace and Inclusion”
NCCI –IDEA (Indian Disability Ecumenical Accompaniment) is an Ecumenical Initiative of the National Council of Churches in India, accompanied by Unity and Mission. NCCI – IDEA theologically motivates ministerial interventions of its constituencies by encouraging and facilitating the Indian Churches to be inclusive and disabled-friendly. Considering the importance of inclusivity, the XXVIII Quadrennial Assembly of NCCI has chosen the theme ‘Towards Just and Inclusive Communities” for this Quadrennial. Thus, the Members of NCCI are being encouraged to ensure that their ministerial interventions result in inclusivity.
NCCI-IDEA has been a facilitator of conversations with communities in the Church and Society with regard to advocacy for disability rights. Considering the importance of observing this day, the NCCI Executive Committee in 2011 officially approved of designating the Sunday before the Advent as Disability Advocacy Sunday (DAS), since 3rd December is the International Day of People with Disability.
Since 2009, DAS is being organized by NCCI–IDEA along with ecumenical organizations, local congregations and institutions both locally and globally.
From its inception, DAS is focused on promoting and inculcating the value of ‘An Inclusive Church’, urging the Church to serve as an ‘accompanier’ of PWDs, seeking justice ‘for’, ‘by’ and ‘with’ persons with disabilities. Surveying the past celebrations / observations and the positive responses from the Churches and the local congregations regarding the observance of DAS, NCCI-IDEA expects that the congregations are becoming more open to PWDs and are more Disabled-Friendly.
DAS works on a theme every year. This year’s theme is “God of the Disabled: Walking together, Serving Justice, Peace and Inclusion”. This theme was selected to join the World Council of Churches’ 70th year ecumenical pilgrimage of Justice and Peace.
Every year, NCCI – IDEA assists the Churches and the Congregations by preparing an Order of Worship for DAS observances. Since, this year, 25th November 2018 is the Sunday prior to the Advent season, IDEA recommends and encourages churches to observe it as DAS. In case, if anyone is not able to observe DAS on 25th November, please feel free to observe any Sunday that is convenient to you and your congregations.
As indicated earlier, NCCI – IDEA’s DAS has inspired several global communities, congregations and organisations through global partnerships to advocate the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. The World Council of Churches – Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (WCC – EDAN), the Christian Conference of Asia’s – Asian Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (CCA – AEDA), Church of Scotland (Board of Overseas Ministries) and ASIA CMS, are joining in the campaign. Therefore, we encourage each and everyone to be part of the campaign and observe this year’s Disability Advocacy Sunday.
Christmas of the Disabled:
We are also glad to inform you that NCCI-IDEA organises ‘Christmas of the Disabled’ every year. This is a unique Christmas programme organised and conducted by Children and Youth with disabilities for others. This is organised on the eve of Advent Sunday every year. We are planning to organize this day on 2nd December 2018. Therefore, we encourage you to organize this day, and celebrate along with us in your respective Churches and Congregations.
Kindly share with us inspirational stories and experiences of divine interventions through DAS 2018 in your Church or Congregation.
Download the worship order DAS – 2018 Worship Order
Download the DAS 2018 Poster
With Prayer and Good Wishes,
Rt. Rev. Dr. P. C. Singh
President, NCCI |
Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad
NCCI General Secretary |
Rev. R. Christopher Rajkumar Executive Secretary -Unity and Mission, NCCI Director, NCCI-IDEA |