Luther launches Centre for Spirituality, Disability, and Care

Martin Luther University College is pleased to announce the creation of the Centre for Spirituality, Disability, and Care. 

Research and other activities undertaken by the centre are designed to help faith community leaders and volunteers become welcoming communities for people with disabilities, their families and caregivers. The centre will nurture the organic strengthening of community among diverse people including those with lived experiences.  

"As we work to become more inclusive communities, we have opportunities to recognize the variety of contributions persons with various challenges can offer our communities, and how their gifts can enrich our life together," said Rev. Dr. Kristine Lund, the school's principal-dean.

"The work of this centre will support fuller inclusion of all people in our communities through research, education and advocacy.”

Dr. Laura MacGregor, associate professional faculty at Luther, is the centre’s founding director. The focus of MacGregor's research and her motivation for founding the centre was prompted by personal experience.

"My son, Matthew, was severely disabled his entire life," MacGregor said. "My efforts to bring him to church were disheartening. I quickly learned that we were not truly welcome in congregations where I hoped we would find support."

MacGregor hopes the work of the centre will help open doors to faith communities for people with disabilities and their families.

The centre’s first event took place on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. The virtual event Crip and Mad Spaces and Leadership in Canadian Churches featured guests Amy Panton and Rev. Miriam Spies who are co-editors of the Canadian Journal of Theology, Mental Health, and Disability.

View video of the event.

Note: Crip and Mad the words the speakers have adopted for themselves. They chose them because they represent a subversion of the dominant way of talking about/thinking about all things related to mental health and disability.

For additional details about the centre, visit its web page.

The new centre joins Luther’s five other centres: Delton Glebe Counselling Centre; Kanata Centre for Worship and Global Song; Centre for Public Ethics; the Centre for Spirituality and Media; and the Centre for Earth Consciousness and Gender Justice.

Media inquiries:

Mirko Petricevic mpetricevic@luther.wlu.ca

Director of Communications and Public Affairs