Through Changing Scenes

The title is also that of the book by David Potter about the history of Prospects. He and his wife founded the charity, and led it for many years. I hadn't appreciated that the purpose of 'A Cause for Concern', the charity's original name, was to enable Christians with learning disabilities to live together in appropriately staffed communities. Local groups meeting for worship came later, as the need became apparent.

One of the things that has interested me is the motivation of people involved in leading and helping with the local groups. David Potter's was quite clear. When their disabled child reached age 10, he was challenged by a friend about what her life would be like (care was still highly institutionalised at the time) when he and his wife were no longer able to care for her. Prospects is the result. I had rather assumed this would be the norm, but my conversations revealed many stories and motivations. What is central to each is a clear sense of calling. All speak of how much they find fulfilment and pleasure in what they do.

I've now been to two more local groups, deliberately chosen for me because of their dissimilarities. It's clear that one size doesn't fit all. One leader told me how 75% of the members of a nearby group can read. 90% of his can't, so the way the bible is studied has to be much different. What the groups had in common was a vibrancy and joy that our churches can learn from. And the tambourines, shakers and flags wouldn't go amiss in some places!

I shall be coming back to Prospects towards the end of the sabbatical. Meantime, some reading on how God is building his church through those who are weak and powerless, and some thinking about issues of physical access.