Autism Sunday

Proposals intended to improve support for people with autism have been debated in Parliament, with families affected by the disability hoping the plans could eventually transform their lives.

To read Stephen Robb's feature on BBC News please see:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7913873.stm

There was worldwide support for Autism Sunday 2009 - the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome observed on 8th February. Many more Cathedrals, Churches and religious organisations marked this international day.

People also used Autism Sunday to campaign and lobby on the serious issues connected with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Thousands logged on to an Autism Sunday Facebook Group event.People contributed videos to mark Autism Sunday, posting them on You Tube.

The autism song ‘Open Every Door,’ sung by Gresha Schuilling and written by singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis was re-released by Media Eye Music in London to mark Autism Sunday. It was also available for download on iTunes with part proceeds going to the UK Autism Foundation. ‘Open Every Door’ was used as a point of reflection in many services and autism awareness raising events around the world.

In London, UK, hundreds of people joined parents, carers,children and adults with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome together with parliamentarians and dignitaries at a service to mark Autism Sunday 2009 at All Saint’s Church in Woodford Wells. They were joined by the Financial Secretary to HM Treasury, Stephen Timms MP, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Commons Mike Gapes MP and a member of the Health Select Committee in the House of Commons Lee Scott MP. The founders of Autism Sunday, autism campaigners Ivan and Charika Corea were also present at this key service.

Autism Sunday is now a huge autism movement across many countries. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Pastor Rick Warren, Pastor Creflo Dollar, The Bishop of London Richard Chartres were among those backing Autism Sunday. Support also came from British Opposition Leader David Cameron. Sarah Brown, wife of the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, sent her best wishes.

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Parents, carers, children and Adults with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome joined parliamentarians and dignitaries at one of the largest churches of the east side of London, All Saint's Church in Woodford Wells on Autism Sunday - the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. A massive gathering attended the Autism Sunday Service.

The reading was by the Financial Secretary Rt.Hon.Stephen Timms MP and Ellie Zavaroni read a moving poem as a prayer. A prayer was also said by a 13 year old boy with autism, Charin Corea. His parents, autism campaigners Ivan and Charika Corea founded Autism Sunday in 2002. Prayers were said for the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Chancellor Alistair Darling and Children's Secretary Ed Balls that they would reach out to the Autism Community during the financial crisis. Prayers were also said for Cheryl Gillan MP's Autism Bill.

Also present were the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Commons in London, Mike Gapes MP, a member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Health Lee Scott MP who has championed the cause of autism in Westminster. The Deputy Mayor of Redbridge Cllr Hinds and Deputy Mayoress were among the dignitaries including heads of UK charities. The service was conducted by Reverend Paul Harcourt, a father of a child with autism.

The beautiful song for autism, 'Open Every Door' sung by Gresha Schuilling and written by Nimal Mendis and re-released by Media Eye Music in London for Autism Sunday was played in the service.

Leader of the Opposition in Westminster David Cameron released a message supporting Autism Sunday. ‘I would lke to express my support for Autism Sunday. As many as one in a hundred people could be affected by some form of autism, and it is important that we recognise and raise awareness of the difficulties and challenges that they can face.’Sarah Brown, wife of the Prime Minister Gordon Brown sent her best wishes. Dignitaries from around the world sent messages of support for Autism Sunday including His Holiness the Pope and Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in California.

David Drew MP has tabled a motion in the House of Commons in Westminster supporting Autism Sunday. EDM 710 calls for the re-possessions of homes of families with autism to be stopped among a range of concerns on autism.

David Cameron, Leader of the Opposition and British Parliamentarians are backing Autism Sunday. David Cameron said: 'I would lke to express my support for Autism Sunday. As many as one in a hundred people could be affected by some form of autism, and it is important that we recognise and raise awareness of the difficulties and challenges that they can face.'

David Drew MP has tabled a motion in the House of Commons in support of Autism Sunday 2009. EDM 710 said:

'That this House warmly welcomes the news that cathedrals, churches and religious organisations in the United Kingdom and around the world are observing Autism Sunday, the International Day of Prayer for autism and Asperger's syndrome on Sunday 8 February 2009 with prayers for over 60 million people with autism across many nations; notes that Autism Sunday was co-founded by British autism campaigners Ivan and Charika Corea and the inspiration behind the Autism Awareness Campaign is their 13 year old Charin who has autism spectrum disorder; further notes that world leaders, including the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, have been asked to speak up for autism and Asperger's syndrome on Autism Sunday; calls on church leaders and all faith communities to reach out to parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's syndrome, especially during the economic downturn; urges the Prime Minister and Her Majesty's Government to provide further financial support to parents, carers and people with autism and Asperger's syndrome in order for them to cope with life during the deepening economic recession; further calls for an end to re-possessions of homes of families with autism; and believes that all faith communities in the United Kingdom have a role to play in addressing the needs of the marginalised, the socially excluded and the vulnerable.'

Mrs Sarah Brown, wife of Prime Minister Gordon Brown has sent her best wishes.The Bishop of London Rt.Reverend Richard Chartres is also backing Autism Sunday. The Bishop said: 'Autism Sunday is a way of raising awareness of the impact of the relational and communication difficulties with this condition. It is also an opportunity to consider what we can do to support families and ease the isolation of those who experience Autism and Asperger's Syndrome every day of their lives.'

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has invoked God's blessings of strength and peace on parents, carers,children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.The Pope will be praying for families and people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome on Autism Sunday. The pastor of one of the largest churches in the United States, Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in California hopes this year's International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome is a huge success. Rick Warren was chosen by US President Barack Obama to lead the invocation at his inauguration in Washington DC. The Archibishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu has sent his blessings. Pastor Creflo Dollar sent a personal message of prayer to the organisers of Autism Sunday.

Ministers, parliamentarians and dignitaries are attending an Autism Sunday Service in the London Borough of Redbridge in the United Kingdom at All Saints Church in Woodford Wells at 11.15 am on 8th February.

World Church Leaders have sent messages of support to the organisers of Autism Sunday - the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome scheduled to be held on Sunday 8th February 2009. Cathedrals, Churches and religious organisations around the world are to mark the international day and pray for over 60 million people with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, California who was chosen by US President Barack Obama to lead the inovocation at his inauguration in Washington DC said he applauded the efforts of British autism campaigners Ivan and Charika Corea to raise efforts of both Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Saddleback Church is one of the largest churches in the United States and they will be praying for 60 million people worldwide who have Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome. Saddleback Church also hopes that Autism Sunday - the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome will be a huge success.

In a message from the Vatican, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has invoked God’s blessings of strength and peace on the Autism Community on Autism Sunday. The Rt.Reverend Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London in the United Kingdom has extended his support for Autism Sunday. Rt.Reverend John Sentamu, Archbishop of York has also sent his blessings.

Hundreds of US Campaigners and people from around the world have logged onto an Autism Sunday Facebook Group within one week of going up on Facebook. Autism Awareness Ribbons are being sold on ebay to mark Autism Sunday, campaigners are asking people to wear autism ribbons on Sunday 8th February to raise awareness.

Autism campaigners are urging people to use Autism Sunday as a platform to lobby and campaign on the serious education and health issues surrounding autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

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Ministers, parliamentarians and dignitaries will join parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome at a service for Autism Sunday 2009 at All Saint's Church, Inman's Row, Woodford Wells, IG8 0NH.

The service will be led by Reverend Paul Harcourt, Vicar, who is a father of a child with autism. Also attending will be Ivan and Charika Corea, Co-Founders of Autism Sunday.

Map of All Saints Church Woodford Wells:
http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=IG8+0NH&countryCode=GB#map=51.61426,0.02644|16|4&bd=useful_information&loc=GB:51.61426:0.02631:16|IG8 0NH

Nearest tube: Woodford Station - Masons Minicabs are also located right outside the station.

Here is the song for Autism, 'Open Every Door' released as a film on YouTube. The song is sung by the Asian superstar Gresha Schuilling and written by singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis. 'Open Every Door' is released through Media Eye Music in London.

Churches and religious organisations around the world are using 'Open Every Door' as a point of reflection. It is a moving song about a child or young person with autism or Asperger's Syndrome.

Radio stations are poised to play 'Open Every Door' to mark Autism Sunday: