I’m starting a new feature this week that we’re going to call My Weekly Reader. I’ve had numerous conversations with leaders of other disability ministry leaders lamenting about the difficulty we have keeping up with all the great content being shared through social media. Each Friday, I’ll summarize articles and resources of special interest from my perspective as a physician serving kids and families impacted by mental illness, trauma and developmental disabilities who also inhabits the world of disability ministry.

My Weekly Reader is meant to be a two-way feature! See something that our team at Key Ministry should read? Something we missed? Post it in the “Comments” section below for all of our readers to enjoy!

Science/Medicine:

Nearly 14% of women in the U.S. are on antidepressant medication while pregnant. This article in the New York Times summarizes recent research suggesting that the risks to the developing child are greater than once believed.

Thirty minutes of vigorous physical exercise prior to the start of school produced significant improvement in attention and mood in both kids at risk for ADHD as well as “neurotypical” kids in a large, randomized study reported in the Wall Street Journal.

Disability Ministry:

Jeff Davidson, blogging in Comfort in the Midst of Chaos, discusses his temporary experience with disability and how he was humbled by witnessing his son’s attitude coping on a daily basis with the impact of chronic disability. How Beautiful the Twisted Feet is a great read!

Not Just the Pretty Babies is a piece in The Federalist exploring the true meaning of being “pro-life” and explores the self-sacrifice required of families stepping forward to care for our most vulnerable children.

Seventeen year-old Alexandra Dittrich shares a teen’s view on invisible illness in this blog post in honor of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week…

Colleen Swindoll-Thompson shared how the ancient practice of lectio divina can bring peace and encouragement with the demands of life become overwhelming in 7 Staples: Soul Food for Stressful Seasons.

Christianity:

This week is National Suicide Prevention Week. Here’s an excellent article from Leadership Network for pastors and church leaders on how Christian leaders can be prepared to respond, along with an article from Jay Lowder calling for Christians to have an honest conversation about mental illness…Confessions of a Once Suicidal Evangelist.

Culture:

What are some of the unanticipated consequences of genetic testing? One reproductive biologist gave his parents a genetic analysis through 23andMe…and saw the results lead to their divorce. Here’s the article in Vox…

Hope you can join us for worship (or invite families you know who are unable to attend worship this week at Front Door. We’re moving to our new “Main Campus” this Sunday. You’ll also be able to chat live with Dr. Cara Daily from Inner Health Ministries Child Center this coming Thursday, September 18th at 12:00 PM Eastern and check out training from Cara on communicating abstract spiritual concepts to kids with spectrum disorders and including kids with autism spectrum disorders at church. If you can’t join us next Thursday, Cara’s training will be available at 11:00 AM daily at Front Door through October 4th.

Anything we missed? Post away!