Disabled young adults reach out to God at Messiah

By Rachel Pritchett, communicator

VANCOUVER - The mother of a young Vancouver woman with Down syndrome has come up with an amazing way to wrap God’s love around her and her friends.
Shelley Park at Messiah Lutheran Church explains that when daughter Hadley was young, it didn’t take much to fold her into church activities with the other children.
But as Hadley reached middle-school age, teachings in Sunday school and in youth activities became more abstract. Classmates became less understanding and less tolerant of behaviors that can sometimes come from people like Hadley.
"It gets harder for people with disabilities to participate in church life," Park said. And even harder as Hadley grew into a young adult.
"Hadley said, ‘Mom, where’s my part?’ " Park remembered.
Park prayed for guidance.
Nearly three years ago, she began a group at Messiah specifically for young adults like Hadley - a place where they could deepen their understanding of the love of God in a way they understood, an ecumenical place where they could deepen friendships and enjoy the fellowship so many others at Messiah enjoyed, but which eluded them.
Park called the group All for One. At times with more than a dozen members, it meets on Saturday at the church, with volunteers assisting.
Since it began, the special young adults from all religious backgrounds prepare and eat a meal together. They learn the meaning behind Bible stories on their terms. They share, they do crafts projects like taping newsprint all over each other to demonstrate the armor of God. They love. They fold their hands and look upward.
They pray for one of their dads who lost his job. They pray for Kyron Horman, the little Portland, Ore., boy who vanished.
"It’s the groaning of the spirit. God understands; angels understand," Park said.
Park has struggled to find appropriate curriculum for the young adults in All For One. The Lutheran church has some, but Park considers it too Lutheran for the diverse group.
"It is really hard to find Bibles for disabled people. I’m still struggling," Park said.
Park’s efforts have caught the attention of local media, who have featured her group.
Today, friendships have deepened in the All For One group, as has their exploration of God.
"I think disabled people are close to God. Their God space is already filled in them," said Park, who also is a preschool teacher at Messiah.
As for Hadley, now 25, "She finally had a spot. She finally had a place."