L'Arche & Livability
Both of these are examples of Christian communities focussed around people with intellectual disabilities. Christian faith is at the heart, yet many will not be able to explore or express this in intellectual terms. Faith finds other expressions and is explored in other ways, a key element being that of community. It is within relationships that such as love, forgiveness and trust are given flesh and God is real. It is within Christian community that intellectual exploration can be done by some on behalf of all.
There is a recognised sense in which the Christian community of the Church is the holder of faith for the wider community. In the Church, however, the assumption is usually present that the wider community needs to 'become like us' to find faith. This is not necessarily the case, as faith can be expressed in a variety of ways. The Church community certainly has much to learn from those whose intellectual ability is less.
Links:
The L'Arche Community in the UK
Livability
There is a recognised sense in which the Christian community of the Church is the holder of faith for the wider community. In the Church, however, the assumption is usually present that the wider community needs to 'become like us' to find faith. This is not necessarily the case, as faith can be expressed in a variety of ways. The Church community certainly has much to learn from those whose intellectual ability is less.
Links:
The L'Arche Community in the UK
Livability