Churches asked to remember disabled people in their Christmas planning

Livability is encouraging churches to celebrate the birth of Christ this year in a way that includes disabled members of the communities.

The charity’s legacies manager, Alastair Emblem, said that many disabled people feel “marginalised” when it comes to church activities.

“As churches, we’re sometimes not very good at looking at the abilities that might be disguised but we want people to look at the individual, not the disability. At church, everybody is needed and we want everyone to be involved,” he said.

Christmas cribs or Nativity services remain hugely popular in Britain, with many churches putting on multiple services to cope with demand.

Emblem was one of the developers of Livability’s new resource pack and DVD called Neighbourhood Nativity. It includes advice on how churches can tell the Christmas story in a way that sends out positive messages about disabled people.

The DVD features a short film telling the story of Andy, a disabled man supported by Livability, and how it can be possible to triumph over adversity. The pack includes a Nativity script, service ideas, promotional posters, prayers and fundraising ideas.

The film is introduced by Songs of Praise presenter Pam Rhodes and churches are being encouraged to show it in their services or small groups.

John Chamberlain, director of marketing and fundraising at Livability, said: “Disability is often a forgotten issue.

“It is a kind of poverty right on the doorstep – a poverty of opportunity and empowerment for disabled people.

“Through Neighbourhood Nativity, you can help reach out to these vulnerable people and involve everyone in telling and living out the wonderful, hope-filled story of Christmas.”

Rhodes encouraged churches to get behind the Neighbourhood Nativity project.

She said: “Livability’s Neighbourhood Nativity is a wonderful way of showing that the message of Christmas extends to everyone. This Christmas I am asking you and your Church to join with Livability in working to combat poverty, despair and isolation.”