Shattering Stigma: May, 2015 Day-long conference on spirituality and mental illness, held at Montavilla United Methodist Church, with nearly 100 in attendance.
Spring Fling: April, 2015 Sang Lee of Well-Able Church and Dorothy Coughlin of the Office for People with Disabilities, Archdiocese of Portland were IDNO’s honorees.
Honorees Sang Lee and family, center of left photo, and Dorothy Coughlin, right photo, with Rev. Bruce Strade.
Beyond the Ramp 2014: Treat Me as a Member, Not a Mission: May 15, 2014 Major Conference, with Bill Gaventa, MDiv and workshops throughout the day, about 85 in attendance, held at Concordia University.
Panelists speaking at Beyond the Ramp Conference, left. Keynote speaker William Gaventa, right.
Cindy Wilkins, IDNO president, at the Resource Fair
” The 2013 Washington County Disabilities Resource Fair”
It was a new location for the Disabilities Resource Fair, this year hosted by the Edwards Center in Beaverton. There was a great response from the 150+ who attended, many with disabilities and many who were caregivers or family members of people with disabilities. The IDNO table was busy, with a lot of inquiries about how IDNO can help religious communities and how to engage in more activities in each person’s faith of choice. See above, IDNO President Cindy Wilkins chatting with a visitor at the IDNO table, April 11, 2013.
“2012: The Year of IDNO’s Lunch ‘n Learn Presentations”
IDNO provided Lunch ‘n Learn presentations to churches in 3 counties in Oregon. Featuring speakers with disabilities, these presentations were for clergy, staff, educators, and members of the community who wanted to lealrn more about how to be inclusive and welcoming of people in their religious community. Each session brought more understanding and apreciation for the issues.
“A Place for All: Faith and Community for Persons with Disabilities”
August 2012
A unique interfaith documentary video, created by Diva Communications, which explores the extraordinary range of faith groups and the courageous stories of persons with disabilities who make their faith communities truly exclusive. For more information about the film, please visit www.divacommunications.com
“Celebrating Our Caring Community”
June 2012
IDNO sponsored this event featuring Rabbi Shawn and Tom Fields-Meyer, author of “Following Ezra: What One Father Learned about Gumby, Otters, Autism, and Love from His Extraordinary son.”
“IDNO’s Big Summer Bash!”
July, 2011
IDNO honored co-founder Dorothy Coughlin and the Rev. Bruce Strade, retiring executive director of Northwest Parish Ministries and IDNO board member at its first Big Summer Bash! It was a great celebration of IDNO’s first eight years, with a great dinner at the Spaghetti Factory.
“Sharing the Spiritual Journey of Living with Disabilities and Mental Illness, 2009”
An invited group of 34 people living with disabilities, illness or other life-changing situations gathered together at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center in the Columbia Gorge to share the personal discoveries that have enabled them to enjoy the fullness of living in the midst of life’s challenges.
Raphael Cushnir, Brian Doyle, Marge Thom, MaryJo Chavez, Jill Sager, Gweneth van Frank Carlson, Kathy Coleman, Shirley Tormey, Eileen Parfrey and Dorothy Coughlin and others facilitated discussions, led creative activities and provided spiritual companionship. The beautiful setting of Menucha offered a perfect environment for sharing stories about personal journeys in a variety of ways including word, song, dance, drumming, journaling, art and prayer.
“Beyond the Ramp: Engaging People with Disabilities in Faith Communities”
May 2008
Nearly 90 people with disabilities along with friends, family members and religious leaders attended this event. Keynote speakers included The Rev. Dr. Brett Web-Mitchell of North Carolina, founder of the School of the Pilgrim, lecturer and author of many books including “God Plays Piano Too” and “The Spiritual Lives of Children with Disabilities”; The Rev. Chuck Currie, a local authority on homelessness and how to welcome people who are searching for their connection to the world around them.
Local agencies that provide support to people with disabilities were also present, providing information and referrals to those in attendance. This conference was very well attended by both people with disabilities and represenetatiaves from many local faith organizations who wanted to know more about how they be more welcoming and inclusive of people who have not felt connected with their religion of choice.
Chaplain in Residence
November 2007
This nearly week-long series of workshops and events were led by Rev. Craig Rennebohm, a leading advocate for the homeless and people with mental illness. He brought his practical and compassionate guidance to clergy representing most of the religious community in the Portland area.