3 minute read
Arthur’s Story
Outreach and Social Justice Lead, Christoph Auckland shares the joys and challenges of church life with son, Arthur.
The Bible challenges us to ‘welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you’, but for children and adults with additional or complex needs, simply entering church can be a challenge – something I have experienced firsthand. Arthur, 7, has an exceptionally rare condition called Prader-Willi Syndrome, something that brings with it complex needs, including autism, as well as mobility challenges, and often the anxiety of entering a new building or environment has made going to church difficult.
From the initial anxieties of attending an unknown place to the noise and activity of the service, church can be unusual and overwhelming. A lack of content, care or resources for those with additional needs or who are neurodiverse can leave them present at church but not participating or deepening their journey as equally loved and valued disciples. And as Arthur is a wheelchair user, for us, access and comfortable sitting can be a further barrier – steps, pews, even parking can be difficult.
We’ve unfortunately had incidents where, after overcoming the initial anxieties of going to a new place, we’ve found we couldn’t even get into the church, or find a place he could sit comfortably.
Arthur’s particular condition also has a profoundly complex aspect related to food, and as much Christian fellowship revolves around food, whether biscuits, cake or meals, this can be a deal breaker for his participation if unmanaged and unsupported.
Not all barriers can be overcome, nor might it be appropriate or possible to change every aspect of your church’s life for one person with complex needs, but where care, compassion and communication help mitigate risks or anxieties, where tools like a sensory profile are available, where a desire to welcome breaks down barriers, access and full participation in church is not only possible, but life changing. For Arthur, the sights and smells of church, the rhythm and familiarity of the liturgy, and the love, grace and patience of the congregation, have transformed church into a place of community and comfort. We are so grateful for the amazing welcome we’ve received from Father Mark and Mother Ruth at Margam Abbey, where Arthur feels safe, welcomed, included, and loved, and from the many places around the diocese that he has been able to visit and been welcomed, especially All Saints in Barry.
Arthur, and everyone with additional or complex needs, is as much made in the image of God as anyone else, and how we welcome and support them is a reflection of how we welcome God. Our buildings, services, events, fellowship and discipleship must be set-up to welcome everyone because, as Jesus reminds us, ‘when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you have done it for me.’
