‘The Struggle is Real’ returns July 20 with a webinar on disabilities and poverty

Online discussion is the latest in a series by Self-Development of People

by Darla Carter | Presbyterian News Service

The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People has a longstanding relationship with Warriors on Wheels of Metropolitan Detroit. (Photo courtesy of WOW)

LOUISVILLE — The next installment of “The Struggle is Real” webinar series is set for July 20 and will explore issues related to disabilities and poverty.

The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People will host the virtual discussion from 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Anyone who’s interested in attending can register here right up until the day of the event.

The webinar will feature a discussion with community and church leaders who will provide insight into the challenges facing people who have disabilities.

The Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson

“We are prayerful that this episode of ‘The Struggle is Real’ will educate and engage the church, its ministries and programs to be mindful of the intersections between poverty and disability,” said the Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson, Coordinator of SDOP. “We are hopeful that the words and work of our esteemed panelists will help provide more insight into some of the issues connected to ableism and how the church can learn to become more inclusive in its calling to address poverty issues.”

The event is directed at a broad audience, including congregations, mission and social justice committees, mid councils, community partners, volunteers and community-based organizations.

“I believe that this session will be rich in applicable information that can assist churches in learning more, and more importantly, engaging more in the issues that are critical for the wellness and vitality of everyone in our communities,” Johnson said.

Panelists who are scheduled to speak include:

• Lisa Franklin, founder and chief executive officer of Warriors on Wheels of Metropolitan Detroit
• The Rev. Mark Baridon, co-pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky
• Brion Edwards, a member of Detroit Disability Power
• Laura McGannon, a Michigan teacher consultant for the blind and visually impaired
• The Rev. McKenna Lewellen, pastor of Maryland Presbyterian Church in Baltimore Presbytery.

Franklin’s organization was featured in the 2022 edition of the SDOP Sunday Resource, which helps familiarize the church with SDOP’s work and partnerships. In that article, Franklin thanked SDOP for its support, which has taken many forms over the years, including funding and site visits.

“We appreciate SDOP for your support from the very beginning,” Franklin said. “Your initial support provided us with the funding to revamp an accessible minibus, which we use to attend meetings, extend our advocacy and provide light transportation services to the underserved population in the disability community.”

The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People is one of the Compassion, Peace and Justice ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. It is funded through your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing.

 To see videos of SDOP’s work, including previous webinars in “The Struggle is Real” series or to learn about SDOP grants, go here.