Breaking Ground 127: Belonging in Faith Communities

Our magazine usually covers things that can be built, funded, and measured, like housing, jobs, and transportation. This issue is about something harder to count, and something government can’t hand out: belonging.

For many Tennesseans, a faith community is one of the most important places in their lives. For people with disabilities and their families, finding a place there can take a lot more work, and the path isn’t always smooth. Some people find a home that welcomes them exactly as they are. Others have to leave and look elsewhere.

This is the Council’s first issue about faith and disability. We asked people from across our community to share what belonging has meant for them. Their answers come from many walks of life and many traditions, and they don’t all agree. You’ll also hear from researchers and advocates working to help congregations widen their welcome.

We know this is just the start of the conversation. Whatever you believe, we hope this issue gets you thinking about who is missing from the spaces you care about, and what it would take to make room for them.

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^{Subscriptions to Breaking Ground are free and available through the Council website. Visit tn.gov/cdd to subscribe or contact us by phone or email with subscription updates or requests, and please include name and mailing or email address. This project was supported in part by grant number 2101TNSCDD, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.}