Special Needs Ministry

All people, regardless of ability, should feel welcome at church and be able to participate in any program that interests them. Some of our members need a little extra help and attention in order to do so.

What do we mean by special?

Typically, special needs is a term used to describe people with challenges often associated with a disability such as but not limited to . . .

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders
Pervasive developmental delays/autism
Mood/anxiety disorders
Developmental disabilities
Physical handicaps
Learning disabilities
Sensory integration disorder
Emotional disturbances
And more

The goal of the Special Needs Ministry is to welcome EVERYONE into the various programs offered at our church. We can provide a buddy for all church programming, such as day camp, vacation bible school, music camp, confirmation, and various children and youth activities.

JCK GAME DAY

JCK Game Day is a program provided by JCK Resources in partnership with FUMC Allen. This free social event is held on the fourth Sunday of each month from 4:00pm-6:00pm. While the event is primarily for adults (18+) with special needs, all game lovers are welcome (and encouraged) to attend. We’ll share social time, games, and snacks along with laughs and a little friendly competition.

All JCK Game Days are held in FUMC Allen’s Fellowship Hall. Typically, we play card, dice, and board games, but being at the church allows participants occasional access to the gym, pool table, ping pong table, and other room for others who may want to join us. You must pre-register for each event to allow us to have plenty of activities and snacks.

Help us to keep everyone safe. We will be following the CDC protocols for COVID at JCK Game Day. Please do not come if you are experiencing any COVID-related symptoms, have someone in your household who has tested positive, or have been exposed to COVID in the week before Game Day.

Snacks (pre-wrapped, single serving due to COVID) and bottled water will be provided. Masks will be worn while at Game Day except while eating.

To learn more about JCK Game Day, please see our event page, click HERE.

Treehouse Room

The Treehouse Room is a safe, friendly, understanding, flexible alternative to the Sunday school classroom for elementary age children with special needs. Families can attend church or Sunday school while caring adults and youth spend quality time with your child who needs an accommodating environment or one-to-one assistance in attending an age-appropriate Sunday school classroom for as long as they are comfortable.

During the 11:00am worship hour, The Treehouse is a place that can be responsive your child’s needs. We have access to anything your child may like, such as snacks, videos, crafts, music, puzzles, and games, to make the hour a positive experience for your child and for you. Minimal paperwork is needed from the parent or guardian: one simple form that helps us to understand your child’s preferences and what you would like them to gain from the experience. If your child needs you while you are somewhere else in the church building, you are provided with a beeper in case of emergency. We invite parents to attend any of our Special Kids Ministry meetings to learn more about the program and provide your valued input and support.

To add your child’s name to our Treehouse Ministry, contact Susanne Means.

Volunteer Opportunities

FUMC Allen needs your help to expand our Special Needs Ministry. We need more teen and adult volunteers who can commit one or more hours a month to change the life of a special needs child or teen, or adult. Our TreeHouse Room provides an assistant for each child/teen to allow them to integrate into a regular Sunday school classroom or spend time in the TreeHouse Room itself. We also invite parents to attend any of our ministry meetings to learn more about the program and provide your valued input and support.

To learn more about JCK volunteer opportunities, contact Adam Lubbers.

To learn more about helping us out in the TreeHouse Room, contact Susanne Means.