Celebrate Diversity With Parables

Written by Rev. LeAnn Soto, Chelsea UMC

Parables are stories designed to turn our understanding of the world upside down … and this is the premise of a one-of-a-kind worship gathering at Chelsea First United Methodist Church. Every Sunday at 11am, families get to see together how life with disability is like a parable

that teaches us about the real values of God---and speed and efficiency are not part of things! This small worship service of about 25-30 people each week is designed to “put the last first and the first last” in the familiar words used by Jesus to describe how God’s presence in community is revealed.

Parables: All-Abilities Inclusion Worship began in June of 2017, with many volunteers from different faith communities across the Chelsea area. From the beginning, modelled on the flagship Parables ministry in Wayzata, MN, it has been a way to put front-and-center the gifts of people who are often overlooked. It’s not a ministry for those with disabilities, but a way for neurodiversity to gain value and recognition in the world’s eyes. Traditional worship services often don’t have the ability to pivot and change course mid-service if prayer time is filled with a lot of sharing, or if someone new wants to sing a song, or if some questions during the sermon take us into a tangent. This experience takes flow and spontaneity to a new level.

"It's my favorite way to do church," says Rev. LeAnn Seto, who is the worship coordinator for Parables each week. "Many times, I've heard people say that they came to Parables initially to serve others less fortunate than them, but what they discovered was that they were the ones who really ended up being helped---by losing their neurotypical self-consciousness."

There are therapy dogs, a craft table, fidgets, Spirit scarves, percussion instruments, sensory headphones, and a visual schedule board to help ease people into the space. We meet in the Social Hall rather than the formal sanctuary---this way, people have close access to the restrooms during worship and can get up and move around without feeling like a distraction if physical pain or social anxiety makes it difficult to stay too long in one place. Monthly themes are paired with one of Jesus’ parables, as a diverse team of preachers and pianists illuminate the message with the community’s active participation.

Parables is a place to celebrate the small delights which make life wonderful. chelseaumc.org/parables/