A New Congregation Member

​Hello, everyone, my name is Iris and I'm a rollinator. I'm so glad to be joining the Harren family and the LCMM family! I'm grateful that with me along, Pastor Jess has freedom of movement and the ability to heal her joints.  I know it might be strange for some of you think of mobility aids as freedom, but that is exactly why I exist.  With support, people are fee to enjoy life, to think clearly not overwhelmed by pain, and to be as active as they'd like to be.  

I wanted to give you a chance to get to know me now because I feel shy about meeting you this Sunday. If you have questions, please ask before Sunday. I'm hoping that by letting you get to know me here, Sundays can stay focused on worship and Jesus.  Especially this Sunday when I really want to help celebrate our confirmands!

For those who may not know, Pastor Jess lives with a rare genetic syndrome called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.  It means that her connective tissue is too loose, which affects multiple systems in her body.  I'm here to help heal the joint injuries by providing support and freedom of movement, and allowing her to take weight off both legs at the same time.  Sprains heal much faster when joints are allowed to rest and new ones are less likely to happen with the support I can provide. Pastor Jess and her doctors are working on a long term plan to limit future sprains, but those plans will take at least a year.  

It might seem strange for you to see someone who is "too young" or "doesn't look sick" to use me.  Recently, a little girl said to Pastor Jess, "I've never seen a person like you before."  I hope that by having me as part of your congregation, you will get to see the expansive ways that people with disabilities of all ages live in the world around them.  Also, if you are interested, Pastor Jess has done significant work on ableism in the church and can provide some resources for you, including a recent sermon at another congregation and some blog posts.  

Here is how I'd like to be treated as a member of our congregation:

1. Consider me a part of Pastor's body.  Ask before you touch.  Only move me if Pastor asks you to.   
2. Assume that Pastor and I are getting along great and are meeting each other's needs. 
3. Trust that if Pastor needs help, she will ask for it. 
4. Realize that there is nuance to healing joints and it is not straightforward.  Pastor may use me for some of the time or all of time.  Some days or moments she may need me more than others.  Trust that Pastor knows what healing looks like for her. 
5. Feel free to say "Hi, Iris" if you want to.  
6. Let the focus of Sundays be on worship, especially before worship and when greeting at the end of worship.  Save your questions for quieter times or the end of fellowship time, or call or e-mail Pastor anytime.  
7. Remember that Jesus was also disabled by the nails in his body both before and after his resurrection.  This helps Pastor be close to Jesus.  

Ok!  Thanks for the chance to tell you about myself.  I can't wait to help show our confirmands how much they can trust that Jesus will always be with them, through everything life throws their way.  Let's celebrate this Sunday the mighty faith of these young women.  

Yours,  Iris