5 Dec 2025, 14:14Ps Weiers CoetserAberdeen, Aberdeen City, Scotland, United Kingdom
Aberdeen Church Partners with ASNA to Advance Disability Inclusion
Hosting Possibility Ministries Day on 29 November, the Aberdeen Seventh-day Adventist Church welcomed ASNA founders Nigel and Sophia Nicholls to promote awareness, dialogue, and practical steps for fully including individuals with disabilities in the church community.
On Sabbath, 29 November, the Aberdeen Seventh-day Adventist Church set aside the usual routine to focus on a vital mission: ensuring that every individual, regardless of ability, finds a welcoming home in the body of Christ. For this special Possibility Ministries Day, the church welcomed guest speakers Nigel and Sophia Nicholls, founders of the Adventist Special Needs Association (ASNA).
The couple, visiting from the Lincoln church in the North England Conference, brought a wealth of personal and professional experience to Aberdeen. Having raised a son with disabilities, they have spent their lives shepherding families into a deeper experience with God. For Sophia, this was a return visit; she noted that the congregation had greatly evolved from her previous visit almost a decade ago, she could see positive changes, growth and many new members within the church family.
The King’s Kindness
The morning worship was led by Nigel Nicholls, who shared a deeply moving message woven around the biblical story of David and Mephibosheth. Nigel unpacked the concept of Hesed — a Hebrew word often translated as "loving-kindness" or "covenant faithfulness." He reminded the congregation that just as King David sought out Mephibosheth to show him the kindness of God, the church is called to extend that same faithfulness to everyone.
Nigel’s central theme was clear: "There is a place at the table for everyone." He used his family’s personal testimony to illustrate that disability never disqualifies anyone from the King’s table; rather, it is an invitation for the church to practice radical hospitality.
Shifting Perspectives
After a fellowship lunch, Sophia Nicholls led an interactive seminar designed to turn ideas into action. She kicked off the afternoon with a quiz that genuinely surprised many members: statistics show that approximately one-quarter of the UK population lives with some form of disability.
Sophia guided the church through different ways of viewing disability, contrasting the Medical Model with the Social Model and noting that there are several other models as well. She explained that while society often views disability as a "problem" within a person that needs fixing, the Social Model suggests that people are often disabled more by barriers in their environment — like stairs, bad lighting, or attitudes — than by their conditions. The challenge for Aberdeen was to shift from trying to "fix people" to fixing our environment to ensure full inclusion.
Honest Conversations
The afternoon featured a powerful visual exercise. Members were asked to stand along a line representing how inclusive they felt the church was. The result was an honest snapshot of the community: a small group felt the church was doing everything possible, while a large group —particularly the youth — stood at the other end, feeling there was still a long way to go.
This sparked a productive, non-judgmental conversation. The key takeaway was that every disability is unique. True inclusion isn’t a checklist; it requires building personal relationships, listening to unheard voices, and supporting the entire family unit, not just the individual.
Practical Steps Forward
The day concluded with breakout sessions to identify immediate fixes. Members flagged that the wheelchair ramp access is sometimes blocked by items stored in the vestry, and raised concerns about the hearing loop system.
When it was mentioned that the loop system wasn't working, the Pastor was able to clarify that the system had actually been upgraded and tested recently. The real issue wasn't the technology, but a lack of communication. The discussion was immediately helpful: the church realised that without clear signage, resources remain invisible. This is already being corrected, with new signage ordered and announcements placed in the bulletin.
A New Partnership
This Sabbath wasn't just a one-off event; it marked the beginning of a meaningful relationship between the Aberdeen Church and ASNA. The Possibility Ministries team, under the leadership of Ifeoma Victor-Igwe, is already discussing how to utilise ASNA's expertise moving forward, with dreams of organising a future retreat for individuals and families affected by disabilities.
It was a day of learning, honesty, and hope, moving the Aberdeen church closer to being a place where everyone truly has a seat at the table.
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For more information on the resources and support offered by the Nicholls’ ministry, visit www.asna.info.
Hosting Possibility Ministries Day on 29 November, the Aberdeen Seventh-day Adventist Church welcomed ASNA founders Nigel and Sophia Nicholls to promote awareness, dialogue, and practical steps for fully including individuals with disabilities in the church community.
On Sabbath, 29 November, the Aberdeen Seventh-day Adventist Church set aside the usual routine to focus on a vital mission: ensuring that every individual, regardless of ability, finds a welcoming home in the body of Christ. For this special Possibility Ministries Day, the church welcomed guest speakers Nigel and Sophia Nicholls, founders of the Adventist Special Needs Association (ASNA).
The couple, visiting from the Lincoln church in the North England Conference, brought a wealth of personal and professional experience to Aberdeen. Having raised a son with disabilities, they have spent their lives shepherding families into a deeper experience with God. For Sophia, this was a return visit; she noted that the congregation had greatly evolved from her previous visit almost a decade ago, she could see positive changes, growth and many new members within the church family.
The King’s Kindness
The morning worship was led by Nigel Nicholls, who shared a deeply moving message woven around the biblical story of David and Mephibosheth. Nigel unpacked the concept of Hesed — a Hebrew word often translated as "loving-kindness" or "covenant faithfulness." He reminded the congregation that just as King David sought out Mephibosheth to show him the kindness of God, the church is called to extend that same faithfulness to everyone.
Nigel’s central theme was clear: "There is a place at the table for everyone." He used his family’s personal testimony to illustrate that disability never disqualifies anyone from the King’s table; rather, it is an invitation for the church to practice radical hospitality.
Shifting Perspectives
After a fellowship lunch, Sophia Nicholls led an interactive seminar designed to turn ideas into action. She kicked off the afternoon with a quiz that genuinely surprised many members: statistics show that approximately one-quarter of the UK population lives with some form of disability.
Sophia guided the church through different ways of viewing disability, contrasting the Medical Model with the Social Model and noting that there are several other models as well. She explained that while society often views disability as a "problem" within a person that needs fixing, the Social Model suggests that people are often disabled more by barriers in their environment — like stairs, bad lighting, or attitudes — than by their conditions. The challenge for Aberdeen was to shift from trying to "fix people" to fixing our environment to ensure full inclusion.
Honest Conversations
The afternoon featured a powerful visual exercise. Members were asked to stand along a line representing how inclusive they felt the church was. The result was an honest snapshot of the community: a small group felt the church was doing everything possible, while a large group —particularly the youth — stood at the other end, feeling there was still a long way to go.
This sparked a productive, non-judgmental conversation. The key takeaway was that every disability is unique. True inclusion isn’t a checklist; it requires building personal relationships, listening to unheard voices, and supporting the entire family unit, not just the individual.
Practical Steps Forward
The day concluded with breakout sessions to identify immediate fixes. Members flagged that the wheelchair ramp access is sometimes blocked by items stored in the vestry, and raised concerns about the hearing loop system.
When it was mentioned that the loop system wasn't working, the Pastor was able to clarify that the system had actually been upgraded and tested recently. The real issue wasn't the technology, but a lack of communication. The discussion was immediately helpful: the church realised that without clear signage, resources remain invisible. This is already being corrected, with new signage ordered and announcements placed in the bulletin.
A New Partnership
This Sabbath wasn't just a one-off event; it marked the beginning of a meaningful relationship between the Aberdeen Church and ASNA. The Possibility Ministries team, under the leadership of Ifeoma Victor-Igwe, is already discussing how to utilise ASNA's expertise moving forward, with dreams of organising a future retreat for individuals and families affected by disabilities.
It was a day of learning, honesty, and hope, moving the Aberdeen church closer to being a place where everyone truly has a seat at the table.
-----
For more information on the resources and support offered by the Nicholls’ ministry, visit www.asna.info.
