Special Needs

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

-Psalm 139:13-14a

WHO WE ARE

Richland Creek's Special Needs Ministry exists to love and serve Jesus Christ by facilitating children with special needs and their families to become full participants and contributors in the body of Christ.

We believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to worship, learn, and serve in our church, regardless of their abilities. We regard special needs as different abilities rather than disabilities, and we provide a Christ-centered environment with a person-centered emphasis to help individuals and families flourish in their unique abilities, as well as their collective spiritual growth. We seek to transform lives through heart-to-heart relationships and a foundation of trust that will extend to trusting others and trusting in Christ. We remain flexible and understanding that often times to the only constant is "consistent inconsistency."

  • To intentionally and systematically share the Good News of Jesus Christ with children who have special needs and help them grow in their faith
  • To integrate children with special needs and their families into the life of the church body
  • To welcome, support, and include the families of those with members who have special needs into the fellowship of Richland Creek Community Church
  • To reach out to the community and provide a safe and loving environment where children with special needs can worship God and learn about Jesus Christ
  • To nurture each child's individual skills and abilities while learning about the Christian faith
  • To provide an opportunity for children with special needs to learn about God's love in a way that is accessible to them

WHAT WE OFFER

Special Friends Life Groups

We offer separate classrooms for students with special needs during our Sunday Morning Life Groups! These classes are offered for all ages on Sunday mornings, during the 9, 10:15, and 11:30 AM services in multiple rooms.

9am
K-5th (Rooms 115-118)
Middle & High School (Room 119)

10:15am
K-5th (Rooms 115-118)
Middle & High School (Room 119)
Adults with Special Needs (Room 120)

11:30am
K-5th (Rooms 115-118)
Middle & High School (Room 119)

Knit Together Life Group

A Life Group designed specifically for families who have individuals with special needs. Meeting Sundays weekly, 11:30am in Room 127, with planned monthly fellowships!

Family Fellowships

Quarterly gatherings for our families with a fun group activity or just a meet up.

Mom's Fellowships

A gathering of moms from families with special needs individuals. Planned for the first Saturday of each month, 10am-noon.

REVIVE! RESPITE

WANT TO HELP?

There are many opportunities to serve within our Special Needs Ministry! Whether you are looking for a one-time volunteer occasion or an ongoing commitment, we have a fit for you! Please take a look at our list of programs and opportunities to determine where you might serve. Contact Eleanor Waterman, or Karen Keyes with any questions.

Ways to serve with the Special Needs Ministry
  • Teach or be an assistant volunteer at 9:00, 10:15, or 11:30 in the separate class.
  • Be a buddy to a child in their small group at 9:00, 10:15, or 11:30.
  • Volunteer for our Wednesday Night Class, "Special Friends" (6:30 PM)
  • Serve at a monthly respite (2 hours)
    • Help setup/clean-up
    • Be paired with a child with special needs or a typically developing sibling
    • On call nurses to be present for respite
  • Be willing to be on an “emergency” list to fill in (as a buddy or classroom assistant) if we have an unexpected absence on Sunday morning at 9:00, 10:15 or 11:30.  
  • Join our hospitality list that provides needed support during difficult times by:  
    • providing meals
    • making a quick grocery store run for a few essentials (such as milk, cereal, bread)
    • providing needed home assistance such as house cleaning, lawn mowing, etc.
    • providing care for children so parents can go to Dr appointments, emergency care
  • Be an event volunteer- Resource Fair, Harvest Festival, Special Friends Camp, basketball league etc. Several events per year.
  • Send “get well”,“thinking of you”, “prayed for you” cards to those in the special needs ministry who are going through tough times or recovering from illness.
  • Donate needed supplies to Special Needs programs.
  • Assist with administrative tasks (copies, phone calls etc)

Staff