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Disability Summit Brings United Methodists Together for Justice, Belonging and Accessible Ministry
By Rev. Dr. Leo Yates
METAIRIE, La. — United Methodists from across the connection gathered in person and online Sept. 25 for the 2026 Disability Summit, a day of worship, learning, conversation and commitment to building a church in which people with disabilities can fully participate, lead and belong.
Held at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Metairie, Louisiana, and offered online through Zoom, the hybrid gathering was sponsored by the Association of Ministers with Disabilities (AMD), a United Methodist disability caucus, in partnership with the Disability Committee of the Louisiana Annual Conference.
The summit brought together clergy, laity, disability advocates, church leaders and representatives from across The United Methodist Church for conversations about disability justice, trauma-informed ministry, neurodiversity and the continuing work of making the church more accessible and inclusive.
Image description: A group of disabled and non-disabled participants at the in-person event posing for a picture.
Opening worship set the theological foundation for the gathering. Rev. Dr. Leo Yates, AMD co-chair, preached, and Bishop Delores J. Williamston presided at Holy Communion, joined in leadership by district superintendents and AMD co-chairs Rev. Russell Ewell, a Deacon, and Yates, an Elder. The service emphasized that disability inclusion is not simply a matter of providing accommodations but is part of the church’s calling to become a community where the gifts and leadership of disabled people are recognized and valued.
Image description: Worship leaders co-presiding over Holy Communion with Bishop Williamston leading the liturgy.
Throughout the day, participants explored disability and ministry from several perspectives.
Sarah Hassmer, a seminarian and attorney who serves as AMD secretary, led a presentation on disability justice, highlighting the Ten Principles of Disability Justice developed by Sins Invalid. The principles include intersectionality, leadership of those most impacted, an anti-capitalist politic, cross-movement organizing, recognizing wholeness, sustainability, cross-disability solidarity, interdependence, collective access and collective liberation.
Yates presented “Trauma-Informed Care and Disability in the Church,” examining how churches can unintentionally cause or deepen trauma through ableism, exclusion, inaccessible practices, harmful theology and assumptions about people with disabilities. The presentation encouraged congregations to create communities characterized by safety, trust, choice, collaboration, empowerment and genuine belonging.
Sarah Chambers, AMD’s Neurodiversity Consultant, presented on neurodiversity and sensitizing the church, inviting congregations to better understand neurodivergent people and to consider how worship, communication, leadership and congregational practices can become more welcoming of different ways of thinking, communicating and experiencing the world.
Ewell offered a presentation on the history of the Association of Ministers with Disabilities, connecting the summit to AMD’s continuing work of supporting and advocating for lay and clergy ministers with disabilities throughout The United Methodist Church.
The hybrid format was intentional, providing access for people who were unable to attend in person because of their disabilities, health needs, travel barriers or other circumstances, while extending the conversation well beyond those gathered at St. Matthew’s. Sarah Sheppard, AMD Membership Coordinator, served as the Zoom host, helping connect online participants with the in-person gathering and enabling meaningful participation from across the connection.
Image description: A group picture of online participants attending the summit.
The summit also welcomed guests and conversation partners from throughout The United Methodist Church. Participants included Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo of the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR), Rev. Jenny Gordon of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Ministries Committee, and Rev. Katrena King, Director of Monitoring & Resource Development for the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW). Rev. Justin Hancock of Dallas, Texas, of The Julian Way also joined the gathering online and contributed to the conversation.
AMD board leadership was represented both in person and online. In addition to co-chairs Rev. Russell Ewell and Rev. Dr. Leo Yates, those participating included Sarah Hassmer, AMD secretary; Sarah Chambers, Neurodiversity Consultant; Rev. Dr. Julie Wilson, Queer People with Disabilities Liaison; and Sarah Sheppard, Membership Coordinator. Hassmer and Chambers participated in person with Bishop Williamston, while Wilson and Sheppard participated online.
Participants were also introduced to resources for continuing their learning beyond the summit, including Sins Invalid’s Skin, Tooth, and Bone: The Basis of Movement Is Our People — A Disability Justice Primer, which explores the Ten Principles of Disability Justice; Amy Kenny’s My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church, which challenges ableism and invites churches to recognize the gifts, leadership and full belonging of disabled people; and Speaking Out: Gifts of Ministering Undeterred by Disabilities, which lifts up the experiences and gifts of people with disabilities in ministry.
The presence of AMD leaders, denominational guests, Louisiana Conference leaders and participants joining remotely underscored the connectional nature of the gathering and the importance of bringing different disability experiences and perspectives into conversation with one another.
Conversation during the summit also moved beyond congregational accessibility to systemic barriers within the denomination. Participants raised concerns about the experiences of disabled people discerning calls to ordained ministry, including challenges some ministry candidates encounter while navigating the candidacy process in the presence of ableist assumptions and barriers. The discussion pointed to the need for stronger support, advocacy, accessibility and understanding so that disability itself does not become an unnecessary obstacle to answering a call to ministry.
Participants also discussed the importance of continued advocacy across the denomination, including stronger legislation at General Conference that supports the full participation and leadership of disabled people in the life of The United Methodist Church. The conversation reflected a broader understanding of disability justice: accessibility involves not only buildings and communication, but also policies, structures and decision-making processes that shape who can participate and lead.
The work will continue when the disability community returns to Louisiana in July 2027 for AMD’s conference in New Orleans. The gathering will provide another opportunity for disabled clergy, laity, advocates, church leaders and allies to strengthen relationships, share resources and continue working toward a church where people with disabilities are supported in ministry and leadership.
The summit concluded with a Covenant Service, moving participants from conversation toward commitment. Attendees were invited to receive anointing from Bishop Williamston and the three district superintendents of the Louisiana Annual Conference — Rev. Dr. Ramonalynn Bethley, Rev. Karli Pidgeon, and Rev. Dr. Frances Hooton. The anointing symbolized a renewed commitment to ministries of accessibility, disability justice and belonging.
In another significant moment during the closing service, AMD co-chairs Ewell and Yates offered a blessing for the Disability Committee of the Louisiana Annual Conference, including its chair, Dr. Brad Burkman, recognizing the committee’s ministry and its partnership in the summit.
The closing embodied one of the central messages heard throughout the day: people with disabilities are not simply recipients of ministry. They are pastors, teachers, advocates, theologians, leaders and disciples whose experiences and gifts are essential to the life of the church.
The 2026 Disability Summit reflected AMD’s broader commitment to strengthening relationships throughout the United Methodist connection and encouraging churches to move beyond accessibility alone toward disability justice, full participation and belonging.
For AMD, the gathering represented both a celebration and a call to continued work — building a church in which disabled people are welcomed not at the margins, but recognized as vital members and leaders of the Body of Christ.
Photo Gallery: View photos from the 2026 AMD Disability Summit and from the Louisiana Annual Conference
More information about the Association of Ministers with Disabilities of The United Methodist Church, including disability resources, upcoming events and opportunities to connect with AMD, is available at www.amd-umc.org.
Rev. Dr. Leo Yates is co-chair of the Association of Ministers with Disabilities of The United Methodist Church and helped organize the 2026 Disability Summit.
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Disability Summit
By Rev. Dr. Leo Yates, Jr.
The United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities (AMD), a recognized United Methodist caucus dedicated to advocating for the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in ministry and throughout the life of the Church, is pleased to announce its newly elected Board of Directors.
Founded in 1990 as the Association of Physically Challenged Ministers (APCM), the organization emerged from the faithful work of pioneering disability justice advocates who challenged barriers preventing people with disabilities from responding to God’s call to ministry. In 2009, the organization adopted the name Association of Ministers with Disabilities (AMD) to reflect its expanded mission of supporting people with all disabilities and recognizing the vital ministries of both clergy and laity.
AMD’s mission is to encourage, support, and advocate for people with disabilities who discern a call to ministry and demonstrate the gifts and graces for leadership within The United Methodist Church. The organization also works to educate the Church about the attitudinal, institutional, and systemic barriers that continue to limit opportunities for people with disabilities in ordained and lay ministry. With a new board also includes a new website: www.amd-umc.org
Despite an increasing number of people living with disabilities, AMD remains deeply concerned that the number of persons with disabilities pursuing or serving in professional ministry within The United Methodist Church continues to decline. Through advocacy, education, mentoring, and partnership, AMD seeks to help create a Church where all people are welcomed, empowered, and called into leadership according to their gifts.
2026–2028 AMD Board of Directors
Executive Committee
- Co-Chair: Leo Yates, Elder
- Co-Chair: Russell Ewell, Deacon
- Secretary: Sarah Hassmer, Layperson and Seminarian for the Diaconate
- Treasurer: Greg Edwards, Elder
- Communications Director: Sunny Ahn, Elder
- Episcopal Liaison: Bishop Williamston
- At-Large Member – Disability Ministries Committee (DMC): Mimi Luebbers, Deacon
“The ministry of AMD is rooted in the conviction that every person is created in the image of God and that disability is not a barrier to faithful leadership,” said the newly elected co-chairs. “As we look toward the future, we remain committed to removing barriers, nurturing leaders, and helping The United Methodist Church become a more fully inclusive community where the gifts of people with disabilities are recognized, celebrated, and empowered.”
AMD invites clergy, laity, seminarians, annual conferences, local churches, and allies to partner in its mission by advocating for accessibility, mentoring emerging leaders, and promoting disability justice throughout the denomination.
For more information about the Association of Ministers with Disabilities, membership opportunities, or available resources, visit www.amd-umc.org and where you can also learn about the September Disability Summit in New Orleans.
About the Association of Ministers with Disabilities
The Association of Ministers with Disabilities (AMD) is a United Methodist caucus that advocates for the full participation of persons with disabilities in the life and leadership of The United Methodist Church. Through education, advocacy, networking, and support, AMD works to ensure that people with disabilities are empowered to answer God’s call to ministry and that the Church reflects the inclusive love of Christ for all people.
A Note from the Co-Chairs
We are glad to be co- leading the AMD together, both a Deacon and an Elder with disabilities. We bring commitment, experience and a passion for disability equality and justice in our denomination. We are accessible to our caucus members and our ministry partners. While we carry on the work, we remember the words of Micah 6:8 “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.” Good words to live by.
Respectfully,
Rev. Leo Yates and Rev. Russell Ewing
A Note from the Bishop
The church needs AMD just like AMD needs the church. We continue to live into a beloved community where people with disabilities and non-disabled people live into the kin-dom of God. As the assigned Bishop to AMD, I am committed to supporting the work of the caucus, offering prayers and guidance so its leadership can support the wider church.
With Appreciation,
Bishop Delores Williamston
A Note from GCORR
As the General Secretary of the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR), we extend our blessings to the new AMD board. Our partnership with the DMC is an example of our commitment to equality and inclusion of people with disabilities. Our prayers are with you.
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo, General Secretary
A Note from UMCD (Deaf caucus)
The United Methodist Congress of the Deaf (UMCD) welcomes the new board. We extend our thanks and prayers for you and your work in supporting the denomination. We at UMCD share your commitment towards disability inclusion while we as a Deaf caucus support the DeafDisabled community. May God bless you all.
Mary Ann Deters, President of UMCD
A Note from DMC
The Disability Ministries Committee (DMC) looks forward to partnering with the new AMD board. This new chapter of AMD offers new beginnings and will be blessed by God.
Rev. Mimi Luebbers, Chair of the DMC
2026 Disability Summit
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