A SUGGESTED CHANGE IN WORSHIP LANGUAGE
As you know, language is important and many people are sensitive to the subtle messages sent, often unintended.
The Denominational Disabilities Ministry Group asks that the growing concern of the use of the words "Stand if you are able" in our worship services be reconsidered. We all know that this language was adopted to recognize that some elderly and disabled are not able to stand, and our former pattern was to just ask people to "stand." In consultation with other denominations, the new recommended language is "Rise in body and in spirit" or a version like that. This language focuses on the lifting up of our spirits as the primary task, and our ability to stand as secondary.
The Denominational Disabilities Ministry Group asks that the growing concern of the use of the words "Stand if you are able" in our worship services be reconsidered. We all know that this language was adopted to recognize that some elderly and disabled are not able to stand, and our former pattern was to just ask people to "stand." In consultation with other denominations, the new recommended language is "Rise in body and in spirit" or a version like that. This language focuses on the lifting up of our spirits as the primary task, and our ability to stand as secondary.
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