One congregation’s response: Angel’s Arms
Northminister Presbyterian Church in Peoria has just implemented a new ministry called Angel's Arms. This is a program designed to assist any family with children who have need for special accommodations or who have atypical needs such as autism, cystic fibrosis, dwarfism or cerebral palsy. The program strives to serve any child who has a diagnosis or condition that creates a need for extra support or help in the family.
The program started with a caregiver being provided to children with special needs so that other family members may attend church together. A family sponsor provides direct communication with the family and the program leader and becomes the family’s advocate for facilitating care, activities and the knowledge needed to appropriately care for the child and to address the needs of the family.
We encourage families to bring their child to the first half hour of worship if they feel comfortable doing so, if not, they go to a room designed to meet the needs of these special children. If they do attend worship then the child leaves with all the other children after Children’s Worship and then goes to the area prepared for him/her. Some children have adapted to being in class with other children with their individual caregiver in the vicinity. The caregiver helps the child with special needs socialize, but is available to take the child to a quiet room if he/she becomes over stimulated.
Families are very happy. One family told us it was the first time husband and wife had been able to worship together in two years.
We are planning to expand this program to include our first couples night out venture, to give these families a worry-free night out and feel secure they have left their children in a safe familiar place. Additional plans for the future include in-home respite care, and who knows what else, as we try to stay flexible to meet the families’ needs and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading.
The program started because a family was visiting for the first time. They liked the church had a child with autism and asked if we had ever thought of a special ministry. The rest is history. |
