Since 2012 we’ve been holding space for disabled people to gather, to resource each other and the church. It’s a partnership between St Martin in the Fields and Inclusive Church.
The prophet Amos called for justice to roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. But what happens when injustice seems to prevail?
Intersectionality is a way of describing how social categories (eg disability, race, gender) combine to create overlapping systems of discrimination or disadvantage.
In this online conference we explore intersectional experience and how we can help the waters of justice flow in church and the world around us. Through art, story and theology; in talks, small groups, workshops and worship.
‘But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was Jesus not an extremist for love… Was not Amos an extremist for justice: “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.” ‘
– Martin Luther King Jr, Letter from a Birmingham Jail
Speakers
Keynote – Ann Memmott
Storytellers – Revd Cathy Nightingale, Revd Dean Pusey
Panel includes: Stef Benstead – intersections of disability, chronic illness & poverty; Valour Nicholas – intersections of disability, neurodiversity & sexuality; Revd Kate Harford – intersections of mental health, gender and sexuality; Revd Zoe Heming – chair
Workshops: Khairani Barokka – poetry-writing: bodyminds, souls & justice; Castor Bending – letting justice flow through visual arts; Pastor Lamar Hardwick – intersections of ableism and racism; Revd Dr Ellen Loudon – how to be a disabled activitst; Rabbi Julia Watts Belser – exploring Biblical studies, Jewish tradition and disability justice
Worship led by Revd Dr Alex Clare-Young
Programme
Outline
10.00 First session
11.00 Coffee break
11.30 Second session
12.10 Small Groups
13.00 Lunch break
14.00 Third session
14.15 Workshops
15.30 Tea break
16.00 Closing worship
16.25 Thanks & farewell
Tickets
Please select a ticket type and enter a donation amount:
Types: To help us plan the day and balance small groups please choose the ticket that best describes your experience: Deaf/Disabled/Neurodivergent or Family/Supporter or Professional/Other interest.
Donations: It costs£40per person to run this conference. We do not want to exclude anyone on financial grounds. Please pay what you can afford.
Access Information
The conference will be on Zoom in meeting mode. We will be using a mixture of plenary (whole group) sessions and break out groups. BSL and captions are both available. Plenary sessions and some workshop content will be recorded and available for catch up.
Detailed access information will be sent out in the conference pack, available from 1 October. If you have particular questions please contact us.
Workshops all run at the same time – details in the conference pack. We will ask you to send us your top three choices. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. BSL will be available in two workshops, live captions in one workshop and automatic captions in four workshops.
Image description: Photo of river running over rocks. Logos for St Martin in the Fields, Inclusive Church. Text – Rolling Down Justice: Disability, Intersectionality & God. Saturday 14 October 2023. Zoom. Details & registration – https://Rolling-Down-Justice-tickets.eventbrite.com . Twitter @livingedgeconf and #RDJustice
Contact
Please tell us if you need BSL, captions, or any other adjustments so we can assign you to an appropriate break out group etc. (We can only provide for the adjustments you tell us about!)
To let us know your access requirements, for questions or further information email Fiona and Angela at disability@smitf.org
Keep up with the latest conference news on Twitter – @livingedgeconf #RDJustice
Ethics Statement
We prioritise the voices & experience of disabled people as a majority of planners, speakers and delegates. This is because they are rarely heard in church contexts. We warmly welcome family, supporters and those with a professional or other interest. This is in keeping with our conference aim to be a place where disabled people can gather to resource each other & the church.
