Respite and Inclusion in Our Faith Community
I still remember my first conversation with Sarah. We connected over a phone call as I was exploring how to launch a respite program in my faith community. She was one of the first people I met who didn’t need me to explain why respite mattered. Within minutes, we had moved straight to the how.
It wasn’t that the why was unimportant. Quite the opposite. Our shared belief in inclusion, belonging, and the inherent value of every person was already understood. That common foundation allowed us to cut right to the chase.
As inclusion leaders, we spend much of our time advocating. We cast vision. We explain why accessibility matters. We tell stories. We answer questions. We help faith communities see that every person is created in the image of God and deserves to belong. That work is essential—and it never stops.
But there is something deeply refreshing about sitting with people who already understand.
When you gather with other inclusion leaders, you don’t have to convince anyone that inclusion is worth pursuing. You can spend your time where it often matters most: exchanging ideas, solving challenges, sharing resources, celebrating wins, learning from failures, and discovering new ways to help every person belong.
The why is never diminished. It remains sacred. It is rooted in dignity, belonging, justice, and the conviction that every person has immeasurable value. Yet constantly carrying the responsibility of persuading others can be exhausting. We all need spaces where our shared purpose is assumed rather than defended.
That was the gift of my conversation with Sarah. Because we already shared the same vision, our conversation quickly became one of innovation, collaboration, and practical action. We left one another better equipped to serve the families entrusted to our care.
That is why inclusion leaders must gather.
Not because we have finished talking about why—we never will. The why inspires us and keeps us grounded. But when we gather with fellow leaders who already share that conviction, we can cut to the chase. We can wrestle with the how, sharpen one another, and leave with ideas, relationships, and renewed energy to build communities where every person truly belongs
I can’t wait to sit with you!! xo- Heather.
Heather Sheese serves as the Special Needs Director at Outer West Community Church. She is passionate about creating spaces of belonging for individuals with disabilities of all ages as well as their families and caregivers.
Heather believes the church is at its best when individuals with disabilities are fully present, participating, and serving within the community. A mother to a child with a disability, Heather brings both personal insight and extensive ministry experience from the local church where she has spent years helping families with special needs feel welcomed and supported.
Before entering ministry she worked in higher education—both in the U.S. and abroad—as an instructor of English as a Second Language. Heather is the proud mom of three children—Elias Ximena and Joaquin. In her free time she enjoys gardening, kayaking, hiking, and trying new foods.
You must be logged in to post a comment.