One thing which may not be apparent when you are sitting in church on a Sunday morning is that the congregation is very varied. While on the surface the people may seem to be relatively homogeneous, they are often quite different from each other. Some are men, some women, some old, some young, some gay, some straight and some in between. Some of us are autistic.While autism can be a superpower, with autistic people sometimes blessed with traits lauded by academia, fantastic memories and analytical skills, it can also be a barrier to engaging fully in wider society. How we approach and engage with our faith and church can differ from how neurotypical people (those individuals with typical neurological development or functioning) do so. The first time we come to church can be extremely daunting, especially if it is something completely new to us. There is just so much to contend with. I find it extremely difficult to recognise faces due to my autism so walking into a new place with dozens of people to remember - faces, names, facts about them - can be nigh on impossible. Sometimes we don’t speak at all or have selective mutism. This can make participating in the services and the obligatory social niceties afterwards very challenging. What do you do if someone wants to chat, but you cannot talk back to them? We can be aware it is seen as rude by neurotypical people but that cannot stop me from being silent at times. It is like a barrier between my brain and spoken words. I prefer to read from a script rather than the terrifying prospect of engaging in small talk with people. Standing in front of a room full of people with words printed in front of me is less daunting. I don’t have to panic about what I say or saying the wrong thing. As we can be very literal, seemingly blunt to neurotypical people, what we say can be misconstrued. We struggle to read body language. Although watching The Traitors on TV makes me think that may be a more universal human trait. This can make social situations stressful.One thing many autistic people have in common is our strong relationship with rules and regulations. This can mean following rules because they exist but also questioning the validity of rules. So when reading the Bible or listening to a sermon there is a loud voice in my head asking “Why?”. Fortunately the church encourages this questioning nature and wants congregations to challenge and question and consider their faith rather than follow blindly. I am a stickler for rules, but with a caveat that rules, regulations, laws and guidelines have to make sense and be worthy of following if I am to follow them. So going to a new church there was a real need to know what the rules are - when to stand, to sit, to speak, to stay silent, to move, to stay still. But would I be able to stay still? Stimming - the repetitive performance of physical movements or sounds - is a common behaviour used by autistic people to cope in certain situations, when we are anxious or stressed for instance. When everyone around you is sitting still you don’t want to stand out by moving around. So you mask. You put on an invisible mask for that time to pretend that you aren’t autistic and fit in like those around you, not standing out or drawing attention to yourself. But this comes at a cost. Masking can lead to stress, anxiety and autistic burnout when we are overwhelmed by our attempts to completely camouflage who we are. Imagine trying to pretend to be somebody else entirely for the whole of your life, like an unpaid spy undercover for decades - it will cause you some stress and worry you will be found out.Church can be an overwhelming place if you are autistic and have issues with sensory overload. There are many people, noises, music, lights and lots of visual distractions too like stained glass windows and architecture. Sometimes people make physical contact which can be extremely uncomfortable. Shaking hands after the service can be an unpleasant experience as it involves physical touch which we are often averse to rather than the welcoming gesture it is intended to be. Where neurotypical people use eye contact to signal the level they are engaged with someone we don’t have the same rules. Eye contact can be painful and distressing. We are happiest looking away from people or, to seem polite, just away from their eyes or without our glasses on so we can’t see people’s eyes properly. Or maybe that last one is just me. Macaskill (2019) argues that Paul believed the oneness of the body of Christ, the church, is at the basis of Christian practice so it is misguided to demand certain social practices like hugging, handshaking and eye contact as demonstrating the unity of the community. Autistic people should not be asked to conform to neurotypical ways of behaving to show they belong to the church. Inclusion and anti-discrimination is also written into law such as with the Equality Act (2010). Concentration can take real concentration to maintain. But conversely, we can hyper fixate on things we are really interested in. While I have been hyper fixated on the fabulous pop group, Pet Shop Boys, I have also widened some of my major interests in later life. I love to learn everything about things which are important in my life and my faith is one of those things. I can read and read and study and explore topics. The desire to know everything about a hyper fixation is overwhelming. However, this can enhance our lives as our knowledge expands at an incredible pace.One thing the church really excels in is ritual. That I can really understand. I love ritual and routine and find it incredibly fascinating learning how other people incorporate it into their lives. One of the key traits of autism is the need for routine and the stress caused when it is changed, especially unexpectedly. In the church a piece of bread is a body and some wine is blood. This may be accepted without question by many people but for me it also helps me to understand how neurotypical people think. As one of my sons said it’s obviously not really a body and blood is it? He has a point. The Bible was my first introduction to how other people’s brains work beyond our family and my book of Bible stories as a very young child filled me with wonder. It is jam packed with allegories and ideas beyond the literal. It also fuelled my love of literature and stories as a small child highlighting how authors can write one thing but actually mean something else. Without this ignited desire to learn how others think would I have read all of those incredible stories and planted the seed for the faith which came to me years later?Autistic people do tend to congregate together. It is natural to seek out or even feel comfortable with people like ourselves. Nothing feels more natural than being with people on the same wavelength as you and that doesn’t just apply to autistic people. We seek out those with similar backgrounds and experiences and lives. I believe autistic people can spot other autistic people even when just walking into a room. Within church congregations our numbers may be few but we will tend to stick with each other for security and comfort. We are also more likely to have autistic children or other family members due to its genetic element. Trying to navigate the parenting of autistic children in a space which does require some element of quiet and stillness can be demanding. This can lead some autistic people to avoid church when their children are young as they don’t wish to disturb others around them. Sunday schools can cater for young children but some Sunday school teachers may find it particularly hard to look after neurodivergent children without extra training in how to deal with challenging behaviour and how to make adjustments to the classes.Our different way of thinking is partly reflected to us in the Bible by Nicodemus. His questions were challenging and he struggled with understanding what Jesus’ words to him really meant. He didn’t grasp the idea of Baptism possibly due to the ritual nature but his questioning gives us all greater insight into what Jesus was trying to convey.Our relationship with God and Jesus can be affected by our autism. Friendships can be very difficult to make and maintain, indeed autistic people can have very different ideas about what constitutes friendship and the boundaries surrounding it. We are told we should have a personal relationship with Jesus but what does that actually look like? If we struggle to make and keep friends with people in our lives how will we navigate such a close relationship with Jesus? The fear of rejection never really leaves us even in this.Our prayer can also be affected somewhat by our autism. It is not always possible to be still, quiet and focused when praying so it may appear out of the ordinary. We may be moving or making noise or vocally outpouring everything at once. When consulting the internet about advice on how to pray if you are autistic I was presented with a selection of results telling me how to pray for autistic people, specifically how to stop them being autistic. We don’t want to stop being autistic we want to be able to fit more comfortably into a world which currently doesn’t allow us the freedom to be ourselves.God made us and God doesn’t make mistakes. We are made in His image - we are perfect just as we are. God chooses the marginalised and weak to challenge the strong and powerful challenging how society tends to function. Autistics are marginalised by society but chosen by God. We could be your family, your friends, members of your congregation or clergy. We just want to feel comfortable being ourselves in spaces and loved and valued as everyone else is. As the Bible teaches us. by Elaine Shanks
Reflections from the Pews With June DavisJesus loves us and wants a relationship with us. Why do we need him in our daily lives? We all have a past, we have all sinned and fell short of the glory of the Lord . Because of that sin the Lord Jesus who was without sin was made sin for us. He died that we might be redeemed from that sin. No matter how far back in our lives or how bad that sin is it is forgiven. He can walk into those places of sin and failure. Wipe the slate clean and give us a new beginning in Christ Jesus. The Bible says Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13 :8. In Jesus we have a friend indeed. He knows the worst about us, but he still loves us. He sees us not as we are, but what we will become when we are changed by the Lord's presence in our lives.What a friend we have in Jesus,all our sins and grieves to bare. What a privilege to carry, everything to him in prayer. He holds our future. Who else are we to trust? In his hands we are secure and safe today, tomorrow, and for eternity. "For l know the plans l have for you, plans for good and not for evil, to give us a future and a hope
Reflections from the Pews with June DavisWith persecution of Christians at its worst since the early Church, Christians around the world need our prayers more than ever. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. For in the same way they persecuted the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5: 10 – 12 In countries such as China, Nigeria and North Korea persecution and oppression is some of the most intense in the world. However, the Church continues to grow. In China Christians almost outnumber the Communist party. Pray that the Church may continue to grow in these places. We know prayer is powerful and God hears our prayers, and we can lift people in prayer even if we don't know their names for God knows who they are and what they need "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness". Therefore, l will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12 : 9 Prayer for the persecutedAlmighty GodYou are our defender and shield against evil and oppression we beg your divine protection upon all your children who face persecution and violence for the sake of your name may Christians around the world unite in their struggles with the cross of Christ whenever they are faced with mockery, injustice, exile or bodily harm. God of mercy and justice Father, son and holy spirit, we place our trust in you. Amen. Anyone wishing to support our brothers and sisters in Christ by prayer or donation. If you Google Open Doors it will show you can help. If you wish to support Indian Christians, Google Mission to India, believe you me what these people go through will bring tears to your eyes. It certainly does to mine. Such Faith and strength. I pray that we too maybe able to make our stand and tell others of our Lords love for them.
Reflections from the Pews with June Davis I would like to draw attention to the marvellous work being done by Regeneration NE. How they have reached out to people in the community of all different abilities and brought them together. They are now open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to cope with all the people who wish to take part in their Arts and crafts sessions. It has brought people together that would otherwise be left on their own. They now feel wanted and enjoy one another’s company and companionship. Long may their work continue.The Seven Times Jesus said I AM1) l am the bread of life. Jesus said this just after feeding the 5000. The teaching of Jesus was not just empty talk, he made a claim and substantiated it with action. 2) l am the light of the world. After healing a man born blind. Proving he is the light of the world. 3) l am the door. No-one can enter heaven by any other way, but than through Christ himself. 4) l am the good shepherd. In this Jesus is displays his great love and care. He is the one that protects his flock. Even to the point of death. 5) l am the resurrection and the life. Jesus made statement after raising Lazarus from the dead. Without him there is neither resurrection nor eternal life. 6) l am the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only way to God. Scripture says the very essence of God's word is truth. 7) l am the true vine. Emphasises the sustaining power of Christ. We are the branches and he the vine. A branch cannot bear fruit unless it is joined in union with the vine. Only those who are in Christ and receive their power from him produce fruit in the Christian life. A further two metaphorical statements: In reply to the pharisees Jesus says "l tell you the truth, before Abraham was born l am". The last comes in the garden of Gethsemane when the mob came to arrest him. He asked who they sought. They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” He replied, " l am he". Then they drew back and fell to the ground, in simply saying "l am!" Applied God's covenant to himself, Jesus demonstrated his power over his foes, and that his surrender to them was completely voluntary. See John 10. Vs 17 - 18.Hymn: I Come to the Garden Alone I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses; And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known. He speaks, and the sound of His voice Is so sweet the birds hush their singing; And the melody that He gave to me Within my heart is ringing. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known. I'd stay in the garden with Him Tho' the night around me be falling; But He bids me go; thro' the voice of woe, His voice to me is calling. Author: C. Austin Miles (1913) Charles Austin Miles USA 1868-1946. Born at Lakehurst, NJ, he attended the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and the University of PA. He became a pharmacist. He married Bertha H Haagen, and they had two sons: Charles and Russell. In 1892 he abandoned his pharmacy career and began writing gospel songs. At first, he furnished compositions to the Hall-Mack Publishing Company, but soon became editor and manager, where he worked for 37 years. He felt he was serving God better in the gospel song writing business, than as a pharmacist. The Torah The reading of the whole Torah which is read in linear fashion, weekly on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays the sabbath, took three and a half years. Equal to the years of Our Lord Jesus’ mission. The Torah signifies the first five books of the bible (our Old Testament) also called the law or the Pentateuch in Christianity. These books are ascribed to Moses, recipient of the original revelation on Mount Sinai.
