ACC Accord Summer 2021 Issue 111

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Autism and Pastoral Care by Emma McCaffrey My name is Emma and I attend the Salvation Army in Edinburgh. I sing with the adult choir (Songsters), the young people’s choir – though I probably should have retired by now – and I play tenor horn with the brass band. Outside of church, my mum likes to call me an ‘advocate’ or ‘activist’. I dabble in acting and video editing. During covid, I made a film for the Salvation Army to give to prisoners and also did some filming for my mum’s Sunday school. I am a member of a theatre company called Lung Ha and have been acting in theatre since 2013. I was in the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of a show called ‘The Reason I Jump’. I also volunteer for a charity called ‘get2gether’ where I film their work and also write and perform murder mysteries. I do not currently have a ‘job’ besides all that. I spend most days in my room and when not busy, I play video games like Fallout, Elder Scrolls and Hitman. I love roleplay games. I’m also autistic with learning difficulties. Autism is an individual disability – basically you’re not going to meet one person with the condition and suddenly you know what we are like. A lot of autistic people do not have learning difficulties and hold steady jobs as doctors, teachers, even church leaders etc, while others need extra care due to physical difficulties autism can cause. I’m in a unique situation as I was born into the Salvation Army. My parents met in the William Booth College and became Officers (church ministers). This meant that as an ‘officer’s kid’ – besides often helping my parents with the sermons – the word of Jesus was something I was very aware of, to the point it could get rather boring. Still, I liked Jesus – he was everything an adult should be. Kind, considerate – he wasn’t going to get mad at your sins; he knew if you were trying your best. And as an autistic kid who wasn’t diagnosed till 11, that was a big deal. If no one else could see my struggling and trying my best, at least Jesus could. Whilst I’m ok meeting new people of different faiths, being in new buildings of worship is a whole different animal to tackle. Along with new people, there’s the colours, the smell, and the fact I don’t know the building well. I have the same trouble going to new coffee shops or cafes – I end up rehearsing what I’m going to say and if my first encounter in a building isn’t at all pleasant, I don’t go there again unless I have to. That can be an issue when an autistic person of faith wants to join a church and some autistic Christian people end up staying home rather than facing a new building and/or new people. So why bother with church? I have found that Christians – in fact most people of faith – badly want to be the best person they can be. They do not in fact, want to feel hate,, but to love. A lot of autistic people feel the pressure to do good and to feel some acceptance is immense; it’s a lonely disability to have and finding friends that accept you for who you are is a rare find. I find acceptance in Christ. That makes the search for good friends easier. On the down side, society including religious groups can create harmful stereotypes for people with autism, because disabled people are often seen by others as lamenting their fate, in need of help, using their disability to gain power, or even worse their disability is seen as a ‘symbol’ of their evil. I must point out that this is my own opinion. A lot of people reading this on the spectrum will disagree with my choice of language and opinion – people are different. My own relationship with Christ is both distant and close. I pray each night to keep my family, church family and friends safe and happy, but I do not really bring my religion up with friends or strangers. Nor do I read my Bible often – I watch videos and listen to music more often instead. As a matter of fact, the first time a friend finds out my religion is when I am invited to a pub and I have to explain as a Salvation Army member why I won’t be drinking alcohol. At my church, they are eager to let me know that I am wanted. I’m one of the younger members at 28. I like to talk to the children – I sing and play horn. I get a lift to and from church (pre-covid) and I am still in contact with members through Facebook and Zoom. I play and invent quizzes (I win most). Sometimes during a service, I will leave the room and sit outside to listen to the sermon rather than be in the same room if the lights are too bright, or I feel tired after an hour or two in one room full of people. My church family accept that this is what I do. I will sometimes even help in Sunday school or make sure biscuits are ready after the service. Outside of church, they attend my shows and invite me to dinner or cinemas. I don’t always fancy it, but the thought is appreciated. Despite my weird sense of humour, strong opinions and at times odd 30 accord Summer 2021 www.acc-uk.org • www.pastoralcareuk.org
pastoral care behaviour (including the fact I still wear a polo shirt – the Salvation Army uniform isn’t the most comfortable for me) - I am still loved and accepted. Besides my obvious ‘talent’, I’m not sure what else I bring to my church. I know I must be a source of frustration, yet I am still welcomed with open arms. I guess it’s nice to be somewhere I don’t feel pressured to try too hard to make friends. The people in my church have done well to show I don’t need to be someone else to fit in. I still think things could be better. Not necessarily for me, but we could look at some rules that really shouldn’t be there anymore to create a better more open environment. Churches should be accessible for all – and not just for the disabled. A rainbow can be both God’s gift to the world and a symbol of acceptance. Perhaps Zoom can still be used ‘after’ covid, so on a bad day I could watch from my room. Perhaps me, myself, could reach out to more people and be brave enough to talk about God to strangers and be brave enough to do the right thing. I hope I will still do my church family proud. WHO CARES Who can predict life? Who knows where life will take you? You hope for the best You dream for the best You plan for the best You pray for the best Is it enough? Was it enough? Will it be enough? Who cares? Where have the years gone? 2019 behind me 2020 facing me, umm I remember the days I was in my prime I would run and dance in a fiery Sunday Service I worked hard for the Lord, really hard Even if I say so myself! But now… Who cares? I was the Sunday School Superintendent for many a year I opened the church door at 9.45am every Sunday morning, to start at 10.00! The door of the church that belonged to us, to our congregation Oh Lord, we worked night and day raising funds to purchase that church Praise be to God we have something to call our own I loved working on the Ladies committee, cleaning my church Bible study, prayer meetings, month of fasting Oh, how the church was alive back then (comfort laughter) taking part in open air evangelism, the abuse we endured we did win souls though, glory be to God (smile) No one but Jesus knows the full story, the sacrifice I made for my church but now... Who cares? Yes, I admit it was a struggle at times I cried at times Dark places found me at times My God gave me strength when I needed it I was a single mother looking after 4 pickney in the UK, 2 in Jamaica and another two overseas that did not belong to me Now my eyes are dim and my hearing is muffled, my legs are not so steady, my hands are shaky, my skin is sagging and my social circle has diminished (deep breath) I am living in a different world than the one I grew up in But through it all, one thing that hasn’t changed Jesus was born to save me and the world from sin He was mocked, stripped and tortured He gave his life for me He rose from the grave and lives in me today Who cares, Yes Jesus cares! They call me elderly, senior citizen, geriatric and all kinds of names He calls me His child, royal priesthood, holy, a saint, a mighty warrior Ouch my hips 2020 here I come I possess the gift of age I am stronger than ever My vision is clearer My hearing is sharper My walk is stronger My hands are His extended I will not worry, I will not fret, whatever the challenges Come on my brother we can worship in the storm Come on my sister we can dance in the storm For I know, I know, I know – Jesus cares As Jesus cares we all care By Bridgette Brooks - 31/12/2019 www.acc-uk.org • www.pastoralcareuk.org accord Summer 2021 31
Page 1 and 2: Issue no. 111 Summer 2021 e-accord
Page 3 and 4: editorial Editorial by Sue Monckton
Page 5 and 6: feature Weinstein. Millions of indi
Page 7 and 8: feature or purpose. They may questi
Page 9 and 10: feature not mean a return to ‘nor
Page 11 and 12: The beginnings of this journey tie
Page 13 and 14: feature This may look a bit confusi
Page 15 and 16: feature Spirituality and support in
Page 17 and 18: feature users benefits everyone.
Page 19 and 20: News & Diary New Head of Membership
Page 21 and 22: pastoral care Current Support Numbe
Page 23 and 24: Counselling CHANGES TO MEMBERSHIP R
Page 25 and 26: feature government to implement a f
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Page 33 and 34: feature explanation and clarificati
Page 35 and 36: feature feelings of coldness, super
Page 37 and 38: feature works two days a week as a
Page 39 and 40: feature Meeting ACCEnT Forum Member
Page 41 and 42: feature Pregnancy loss by Amanda Pa
Page 43 and 44: feature Supporting a nation in mour
Page 45 and 46: In Touch Table Talk for Wellbeing -
Page 47 and 48: In Touch Do you have a female frien

ACC Accord Summer 2021 Issue 111

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