The Episcopal New Yorker |

By the Rev. David C. Killeen

On the fourth Tuesday of each month, St. Mark’s Church in Mount Kisco offers a 7 p.m. worship service for the developmentally disabled and their care givers. The Rev. Stephen O. Voysey has officiated at the service since 1996, the year that he was called to become St. Mark’s rector, although the church’s ministry to the developmentally disabled predates his tenure.

According to Voysey, the service is a “ministry of presence both to the disabled individuals and to the staff who care for them. Like all ministry, it is about building relationships. Over the years, I have come to know most of the individuals and strive to connect with them on a spiritual level.”

The worship service, which typically attracts 30-70 people who reside in local privately or state-run homes for the disabled, is comprised of hymns, a reading from Scripture, a homily and prayers. Worshippers arrive in vans operated by their respective residences. The service is about a half-hour in length. After worship,
a crucifer leads the congregation to the parish hall for refreshments.

On April 25, Voysey started the service with well-known hymns such as “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” “Kumbaya,” and “Rock My Soul.” The congregation clapped along or played percussion instruments provided by the church. Voysey then read Mark’s account of the “Empty Tomb” and preached an Easter-themed homily connecting the removalof the stone at the tomb’s entrance to the surmounting of personal barriers.

“ I direct the homily,” explains Voysey,“ in large part to the aids who care for the disabled. They are very often overworked and underpaid. My hope is that this time in church strengthens them to do their work.”
The homily was followed by the Prayers of the People, the Lord’s Prayer, various Evening Prayer collects and more singing.

Kelly Welch, who works at the Hudson Valley Developmental Disability Service Organization in Yorktown, attended the April 25 worship service. For her, going to St. Mary’s each month provides a “nice change of pace. The music and prayers are a real comfort. The residents love coming here, and the staff gets some time for reflection.”

Three lay volunteers and members of St. Mark’s, John Buckley, Verann England, and Mary Lynn Windsor, assist Voysey each month. They transport individuals in wheelchairs from the vans to the sanctuary, assist during the worship service, and prepare the refreshments. Buckley explains what draws him to the ministry: “I come here to serve others and I know the Spirit is here. This service grows on you month after month. When you look into their eyes, you know that you are reaching them.”

Make A PACT for Ministry with
the Developmentally Disabled

By the Rev. Stephen O. Voysey

Publicity

Find out what is needed in a given area by contacting some state and private facilities. Once a decision is made, send flyers out well ahead of time with details including driving directions to the church and a phone number contact to use at the time of the service for last minute information or questions (e.g. cancellations
due to extreme weather). Phone call follow-ups on the day of the service are important, as staff cope with complex demands every day.

Accessibility

Your building needs to be as accessible as possible for wheel chairs and for individuals
for whom locomotion is difficult. Rest rooms on the same level of the church space being used is a must.

Consistency
Set a pattern for frequency of the gatherings
and stick with it. Establish a pattern for what happens at the gathering and stick with it. Over time, those who attend will become more and more comfortable because they know what to expect.

Teamwork

Engage as many parishioners as possible
in the ministry. The more that this ministry is understood as a ministry of the whole congregation, the more the developmentally disabled and the staff who care for them experience it as a part of, not totally separated from, the life of the congregation.

THE EPISCOPAL NEW YORKER
Section	July/August 2006
A Ministry of Presence at St. Mark’s, Mt. Kisco

By the Rev. David C. Killeen On the fourth Tuesday of each month, St. Mark’s Church in Mount Kisco offers a 7 p.m. worship service for the developmentally disabled and their care givers. The Rev. Stephen O. Voysey has officiated at the service since 1996, the year that he was called to become St. Mark’s rector, although the church’s ministry to the developmentally disabled predates his tenure. According to Voysey, the service is a “ministry of presence both to the disabled individuals and to the staff who care for them. Like all ministry, it is about building relationships. Over the years, I have come to know most of the individuals and strive to connect with them on a spiritual level.” The worship service, which typically attracts 30-70 people who reside in local privately or state-run homes for the disabled, is comprised of hymns, a reading from Scripture, a homily and prayers. Worshippers arrive in vans operated by their respective residences. The service is about a half-hour in length. After worship, a crucifer leads the congregation to the parish hall for refreshments. On April 25, Voysey started the service with well-known hymns such as “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” “Kumbaya,” and “Rock My Soul.” The congregation clapped along or played percussion instruments provided by the church. Voysey then read Mark’s account of the “Empty Tomb” and preached an Easter-themed homily connecting the removalof the stone at the tomb’s entrance to the surmounting of personal barriers. “ I direct the homily,” explains Voysey,“ in large part to the aids who care for the disabled. They are very often overworked and underpaid. My hope is that this time in church strengthens them to do their work.” The homily was followed by the Prayers of the People, the Lord’s Prayer, various Evening Prayer collects and more singing. Kelly Welch, who works at the Hudson Valley Developmental Disability Service Organization in Yorktown, attended the April 25 worship service. For her, going to St. Mary’s each month provides a “nice change of pace. The music and prayers are a real comfort. The residents love coming here, and the staff gets some time for reflection.” Three lay volunteers and members of St. Mark’s, John Buckley, Verann England, and Mary Lynn Windsor, assist Voysey each month. They transport individuals in wheelchairs from the vans to the sanctuary, assist during the worship service, and prepare the refreshments. Buckley explains what draws him to the ministry: “I come here to serve others and I know the Spirit is here. This service grows on you month after month. When you look into their eyes, you know that you are reaching them.” Make A PACT for Ministry with the Developmentally Disabled By the Rev. Stephen O. Voysey Publicity Find out what is needed in a given area by contacting some state and private facilities. Once a decision is made, send flyers out well ahead of time with details including driving directions to the church and a phone number contact to use at the time of the service for last minute information or questions (e.g. cancellations due to extreme weather). Phone call follow-ups on the day of the service are important, as staff cope with complex demands every day. Accessibility Your building needs to be as accessible as possible for wheel chairs and for individuals for whom locomotion is difficult. Rest rooms on the same level of the church space being used is a must. Consistency Set a pattern for frequency of the gatherings and stick with it. Establish a pattern for what happens at the gathering and stick with it. Over time, those who attend will become more and more comfortable because they know what to expect. Teamwork Engage as many parishioners as possible in the ministry. The more that this ministry is understood as a ministry of the whole congregation, the more the developmentally disabled and the staff who care for them experience it as a part of, not totally separated from, the life of the congregation.

A Ministry of Presence at St. Mark’s, Mt. Kisco