We are celebrating special needs awareness week at Resurrection today and tomorrow. We talked with Matthew's Ministry Program Director Jennifer Ross to get the inside scoop at what all will be happening during worship.

What special activities do we have planned in worship this weekend for special needs awareness week?

Matthew's Ministry participants will serve as greeters, pass out bulletins and in the VIBE service, a participant will read scripture.  Information about our programs and opportunities to serve will be available at the Connection Point as well as a display of new Sonflower Bakery products.

How excited do the children get to have the opportunity to read scripture in worship?

The participants (we refer to them as participants because they are from toddlers to older adults) love to be a part of the worship team.  Getting to sit on the chancel with Pastor Adam and the others and then to take the microphone and read brings them immeasurable joy.  Most love to serve and to be on stage.  They love sharing God's word.

What are some topics that parents can learn about in the upcoming six week parent support group?

On the first night, the speaker’s topic is:  Empowered Advocacy—Communicating with the School System What is Best for Your Child.

As part of the table discussion, we want them to share what they hope to get out of the group and what they would like Listen and Learn to offer.  As we receive feedback, this will help us formulate the future of Listen and Learn.  We will be using the feedback from the participants to help us with future planning.  We see Listen and Learn as the overall ministry and the parent support group as a part of it.

What additional activities do we have coming up at Resurrection for parents of children with special needs? 

Family Night Out on 9/28 is a respite evening for families (parents get a date night while their children are cared for in a loving and safe environment. Future dates: 10/26, 11/9  Weekly Bible studies for youth and adults, Sonflower Ringer Hand bell choirs, Scouting, and the Sonflower Adult learning program.

What are some fun ways volunteers can help out in the Matthews Ministry program?

Volunteers can help on Sundays in one of the Bible study groups as a peer mentor or leader, volunteers are always needed to successfully operate a Family Night Out event (there are a number of service opportunities available from serving as a buddy to a participant for the night to serving food), the Sonflower Adult Learning program always needs helping on baking on M,W and F as well as other activities daily.

Learn more information about Matthew's Ministry here.