Ooltewah United Methodist Church's Wesley Special Friends Adults with Special Needs Sunday school class welcomes new classmates to join each Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
"The WSF class was designed around the teaching patterns modeled by Jesus," said WSF Sunday school teacher Janice Ryan, of Ooltewah. "We believe that Jesus modeled a way of teaching that adapts to the special needs of each person under spiritual development.
Ooltewah United Methodist Church's Wesley Special Friends Adults with Special Needs Sunday school class makes Christmas cards for church members that helped start the program. From left are Dustin Sandidge, Leslie Burnett and Susan Turner."We are trying to get the message out that we have a great program," she added. "Parents can't come to church if they don't have a program for their special needs child."
In a recent session, classmates Leslie Burnett, Susan Turner and Dustin Sandidge used colored pencils to bring to life Christmas cards with scenes of Jesus' birth to present along with icing and sprinkled sugar cookies to supporters of the class.
"Our congregation wants us to be a service not only in educating people about Christ, but by showing Christ's love," said Ryan. "People with special needs have a special role to play in church."
She said she wants the class to be something to look forward to. Students take home a list of daily Bible readings, write in a journal, act out Bible stories and create biblical art.
Ryan said she talks to students about praying for people, sending cards, calling to check on people and doing household chores.
"We want each student to experience the quality of life benefits that come from positive community relationships, joyful music, reading or listening to Bible stories and discovering their own spiritual gifts," she said. "We are intentional about supporting students who have the desire to broaden their experiences into new, personally meaningful church roles."
She said students take part in worship, perform musical sign language with the church praise team and serve Communion.
Students write in their journals about weekly words like love, family, kindness, patience, mercy, prayer and respect.
"My definition of the Bible is 'God's dictionary,'" said class member Susan Turner. "We have a prayer list in our journal."
Ryan said all WSF teachers have taught special needs adults before and are passionate about expanding the ministry to serve more adults with special needs and their families. Ryan is assisted by fellow special needs teachers including Joe Rich, Jerry and Jan Chastain, Carroll and Judy Turner, Cindy Ford and Linda Kirkland.