Special Needs Ministries

First Methodist offers ministries for both children and adults with special needs. Click on the ministry below to find out more about how to connect.
HEART Children’s Special Needs Ministry:
Helping, Encouraging, Accepting, Respecting, Teaching
 
Our special needs ministry strives to provide a supportive, loving, and safe environment for preschoolers through adolescents with special needs to experience the love of Christ through their spiritual journey with their peers. We welcome and value every child.  Your child does not need a diagnosis to be part of this ministry.  Our sensory room is helpful for children who are struggling in many ways, as it is a quiet place with tools to help calm and regulate.  This ministry helps children during Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and other activities.
 
For more information, contact Becky Ghose at heartministryfumc@gmail.com.
 
HEART Helpers
We currently need HEART Helpers! HEART Helpers are adult or youth volunteers matched with an individual with special needs so that they can share their faith journey and encourage each other. If you are interested in volunteering in this ministry, please contact our Special Needs Ministry Coordinator.

Gateway Adult Special Needs Ministry

Gateway is a special needs ministry at First Methodist for adults in our community living with mental and/or physical challenges. This group comes together for friends, fellowship, and faith!

Gateway is not currently meeting in person due to COVID-19 restrictions, but we are staying connected! If you’re interested in finding out more about this ministry, please contact Rev. Janet Cavalier at jcavalier@sharingtheheart.org. 

Gateway Partners

Our Gateway Partners are background-checked/MinistrySafe volunteers. Currently, they are making phone calls to check in with our Gateway members and their needs. We are working on new ideas for staying connected in a safe way during this time. Anyone interested in finding out more information about becoming a Gateway partner or supporting this ministry in other ways (providing meals, programming planning, financial support), contact Rev. Janet Cavalier.