For the fourth consecutive convention, MC USA Follow Jesus ’25 convention planners are working with Anabaptist Disabilities Network to create a welcoming and accessible convention for those with disabilities. Follow Jesus ’25 will take place in Greensboro, North Carolina, July 8-12.

In 2022, Mennonite Church USA delegates passed the MC USA Accessibility Resolution, which encourages all members of MC USA, including the denomination itself, to “remove the barriers to belonging in architecture, communications and attitudes that prevent individuals with disabilities from participating in church life, and to bring wholeness to the Body of Christ as those barriers are removed, and all people are fully integrated into the community of faith.” One way that the denomination seeks to participate in this resolution is through providing accessibility resources for anyone who requests them during the Follow Jesus ’25 national convention.

The following accommodations are available, upon request, for the MC USA Women’s Summit, the Follow Jesus ’25 convention and the Delegate Assembly: convention-provided wheelchairs or scooters, assisted listening devices, accessible slide content for screen readers/tablets and guided walk-throughs of the convention center for those who have low vision or are blind, American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, sound-reducing ear plugs, and a quiet/sensory room. Other needs may also be accommodated, if registrants indicate those needs on their registration form with enough advance notice. It is imperative, though, that anyone who plans to take advantage of these offerings should register as early as possible and indicate the services they need on their registration form, to ensure that all their needs are fully met.

During the worship services and delegate session, Spanish interpretation will be made available. At lunch, which is included with convention registration, gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options will be provided, and for the duration of convention, there will be a private room for lactating mothers to nurse or pump.

“Making convention accessible is good for people with disabilities and good for the church, because it means that we more fully represent the body of Christ in our gathering, using our collective gifts for the good of all,” said Jeanne Davies, executive director of Anabaptist Disabilities Network.