AD-INTERIM COMMITTEE ON DISABILITY AND SACRAMENTS

SUMMARY OF WORK

1. Examined our reformed sacramental theology and its impact on those with disabilities.

2. Agreed on a definition of disability. 

3. Reflected on what Scripture and our Westminster standards say and do not say about the place of those with disabilities in the life of the church. 

4. Explored what pastoral guidance might be offered to the church. 

5. Created a first draft of a pastoral letter for GA consideration expecting feedback and input from our presbyteries. 

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RECOMMENDATIONS

46-03 The Ad-Interim Committee on Disability and Sacraments recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE a 1-year extension to allow for the work on the Pastoral Letter to gather feedback and input from our presbyteries, bringing the Pastoral Letter on Disability and Access to GA 2027.

46-04 The Ad-Interim Committee on Disability and Sacraments recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE members of the Ad-Interim Committee be invited to presbyteries for discussion and feedback on the proposed Pastoral Letter.

46-05 The Ad-Interim Committee on Disabilities and the Sacraments recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE the expansion of the current Ad-Interim Committee’s work to include the creation of a Position Paper on the EPC and Disability. This paper would come to the 48th General Assembly for a vote. The committee also seeks the committee to expand from nine to twelve members to accomplish this work.

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WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

The 44th General Assembly voted to create a moderator-appointed Ad-Interim Committee to draft a Pastoral Letter on Disability Access, especially regarding the Sacraments. Our committee finally came together that next February and the work began.

We began by sorting out what would be needed to accomplish the goal. We identified resources that would help guide our perspective on both the theology surrounding access to the sacraments and the experienced realities of an individual with a disability.

The committee identified specific progress markers.
• Agree on a definition and description of disability.
• Research and synthesize what scripture, our reformed values, our faith tradition, and trusted resources have to say about the subject.
• Create a draft of the pastoral letter for presentation at the 46th General Assembly.
• Personally share the draft with our presbyteries in the Fall and Winter 2026/27 expecting to present the final version for vote at the 47th General Assembly.

During the course of our work, we realized there were many important concepts concerning Disability and the Church that really needed to be acknowledged and yet fell beyond the scope of our original task. That is why we are recommending an expansion of this committee to create a position paper that will communicate to the general public that the EPC acknowledges and cares about this demographic.

The disabled community is considered by many to be the only minority group that any individual can join at any moment throughout life. And if we live long enough, all of us will join. We hope you find help in this first draft and hope to see you soon at your next presbytery meeting!

Disability and Access Pastoral Letter Draft

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RECOMMENDATIONS (DETAILED)

RECOMMENDATION 46-03

The Ad-Interim Committee on Disability and Sacraments recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE a 1-year extension to allow for the work on the Pastoral Letter to gather feedback and input from our presbyteries, bringing the Pastoral Letter on Disability and Sacraments to GA 2027.

Rational:
The subject is so important and our desire to be sure this pastoral letter is as comprehensive as possible caused us to realize we were not quite ready. This extension will allow us to engage with our presbyteries and create a resource that will truly be helpful.

RECOMMENDATION 46-04

The Ad-Interim Committee on Disability and Sacraments recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE members of the Ad-Interim Committee be invited to presbyteries for discussion and feedback on the proposed Pastoral Letter.

Rational:
An in-person visit with our presbyteries to present our work would provide an opportunity to hear responses and would be the most effective means of gathering input.

RECOMMENDATION 46-05

The Ad-Interim Committee on Disabilities and the Sacraments recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE the expansion of the current Ad-Interim Committee’s work to include the creation of a Position Paper on the EPC and Disability. This paper would come to the 48th General Assembly for a vote. The committee also seeks the committee to expand from nine to twelve members to accomplish this work.

Rational:
During the course of our work, we realized there were many important concepts concerning Disability and the Church that really needed to be acknowledged and yet fell beyond the scope of our original task. An expansion of this committee to create a position paper would communicate to the general public that the EPC acknowledges and cares about this demographic.

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COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Walter Taylor (Co-Chairman)
TE, Presbytery of the Coastal Mid-Atlantic

Daniel Harris
Presbytery of the Central South

Beth Golik
Presbytery of the Alleghenies

Cameron Smith
TE, Presbytery of the New River

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MEETING DATES

September 9, 2025: Video Conference
October 28, 2025: Video Conference
January 12-15, 2026: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)
February 10, 2026: Video Conference
March 24, 2026: Video Conference
April 28, 2026: Video Conference

Walter Taylor Co-Chairman
June 2026

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