A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Stephen
Bishop Stephen has written to the people of the Diocese of Lincoln, following the conclusion of the Makin Review four-step process.
Read the storyMeet Martin Joy
The Bishop of Lincoln has appointed Martin Joy as the Disability Adviser in the Diocese of Lincoln.
“At a recent national conference it was estimated that the majority of people with a disability did not feel welcome in their local churches.”
Martin Joy, Bishop’s Adviser on Disability
Martin is currently churchwarden at St Hughs Church in North Hykeham and in his working career, including as a management trainer, he has specialised in diversity and disability awareness courses.
A lived Experience
Martin had polio in 1957 which resulted in a very weakened left hand side of his body. For the last six years he has been a wheelchair user, although he still manage a few steps around the house.
Martin says that in the majority of cases, the way people are treated in the churches is done with the best of intentions, but it can still be upsetting to the individual concerned.
“It has come as a bit of a surprise to see how people with a disability can be treated in our churches.”
Martin Joy, Bishop’s Adviser on Disability
We pray that this appointment will help the Diocese and its many churches to become safe and accessible to those with a disability.
Contact Martin
If you would like to discuss anything related to the Church and people with a disability, then please contact Martin by e-mail.
He would also like to start a group of people who wish to see best practices used in all our churches across the Diocese of Lincoln and beyond. If you would like to join such a group, please email him.
Email: martin.joycwsthughs@gmail.com