The Center for Leadership Excellence presents a webinar to help churches imagine hospitality in fresh and faithful ways. Accessibility as Hospitality will highlight practical steps any congregation can take to ensure that every person can fully belong. Join us as our panelists share creative, real-life examples of how accessibility becomes a tangible expression of Christ-centered welcome.

February 3, 2026
10am – 11am, ET
Zoom

About the Webinar:

Join us for a panel discussion with four NC conference clergy and laity who have a passion for improving accessibility. From diverse contexts, the panelists offer perspectives that represent both larger and smaller budgets, as well as urban and rural churches. These leaders are engaging in varied ways to create a sense of hospitality for people with disabilities. You will hear stories of projects, such as an accessible playground, as well as ways to care for the entire body of Christ, including offering communion elements that are completely allergen-free, so that everyone can commune at the same table. This panel conversation is not a “how-to” event, but inspiration for contextual solutions to accessibility challenges in your congregation.

Most importantly, our panelists will highlight the truth that when we make our spaces more accessible, it is not only better for congregants and visitors with disabilities, but church is an improved experience for everyone!

Who Should Attend:

• Laity and clergy who want to improve accessibility in their church
• Disability advocates and committee members
• Trustees members (who oversee the annual accessibility audit)
• Anyone who wants to learn more!

What You’ll Gain:

• Ideas to improve your church and ministry offerings
• Perspectives on the ways accessibility improvements create ministry improvements

About the Presenters:

Lindsay Ballance Collins currently serves as the pastor of Union Grove United Methodist Church in Hillsborough. Lindsay is a 2012 graduate of Duke Divinity with a Master of Divinity and UNC-Chapel Hill with a Master of Social Work. Lindsay was born and raised in Fremont, NC where she was baptized as a member of Fremont United Methodist Church.   She was ordained as an Elder in Full Connection in the NC Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2016.  Her husband, Daniel, is an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church, who currently works for Orange County Habitat for Humanity.  Lindsay and Daniel have two children: Eli and Lucy.  Lindsay has served churches in Durham, Robbins, Roxboro, Elizabethtown, & Chapel Hill.

The Rev. Brent Levy is convener, curator, and pastor of The Local Church, a United Methodist faith community in Pittsboro, NC. He is passionate about finding the holy in the ordinary, creating communities of belonging, and learning how to do friendship and discipleship in a digital-first world. Brent is also training to become a spiritual director through The Healing Collective. Originally from a suburb of Richmond, Virginia, Brent is married to his wife, Natalie, and they have two amazing kids: Emma and Eliza. An ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, Brent graduated from Duke Divinity School in 2015. His favorite things include making coffee with his Aeropress, geeking out over Disney parks, singing U2 in the car, and watching birds.

Dr. Gabby McHarg serves as the Director of Children and Family Ministries at Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church. After graduating from UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Cambridge with degrees in developmental psychology, Gabby taught preschool and was a postdoctoral researcher and later the Assistant Director of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development. In 2022, Gabby followed God’s call to combine her education and skills in child development with her passion for ministry with children of all ages and abilities by joining the staff at FVUMC full time.

Rev. Clay Parker is the Lead Pastor at Camp United Methodist Church in Shallotte, NC. Clay is a 2016 Religious Studies graduate of NC Wesleyan University and a 2020 Graduate of Duke Divinity School, where he received his Master of Divinity degree. He is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Duke, participating in the Missional Innovation Cohort with other North Carolina and Western North Carolina Annual Conference pastors. Clay is also a bilateral amputee, and this has helped to open his eyes and heart to the accessibility needs of churches and non-profits. Clay is married to Shawnna Smith-Parker, and they have three adult children, Evan, Daisy, and Ben.