Special Needs
Upcoming Events
"Super Hero Party 4.0" for Kids with Special Needs & their Families
Friday, September 22 // 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm // @ Faith Dyer
It's that time again to put on your capes and masks and join us for the biggest night of the year! Games, prizes, bounce houses, limo rides, food, fire truck, police car, dunk tank, horse rides, live music (The Hat Guys), balloon twisting, and more! This is an event for the whole family! Volunteers, this is an "all-call" event - if you're able to join us, you won't regret it!
PARTICIPANT RSVP // VOLUNTEER RSVP
Beginners Sign Language Class
Thursdays // 7pm - 8pm // October 5th - November 30th // @ Faith Dyer
***UPDATE: REGISTRATION CLOSED - Due to overwhelming response, registration has reached its max capacity of 50, and sign-ups are closed. If you're interested in future sign class information, please email us.
Our friend, Sue, is graciously hosting another FREE sign language class for beginners! Please sign up before the first class on October 5th. The class will meet in the Launch Pad / "Orange" Room in the lower level of Faith Church in Dyer. There will be a break on Thanksgiving; otherwise class will meet every Thursday evening from October 5th through November 30th at 7pm. Childcare not provided. Ideal minimum age: 12. Questions? Contact
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Fall Fest!
Friday, November 17 // 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm // @ Faith Valpo
Join us for our 2nd annual "Fall Fest" for individuals with special needs and their families at Faith Valpo! There will be food, games, a costume contest (it might be past Halloween, but not too late to get dressed up!), and dancing. See you there!
PARTICIPANT RSVP // VOLUNTEER RSVP
Weekend Worship
Faith-Dyer Reflectors Worship (Sundays @ 11 am)
We have multiple classrooms that function similar to a special education classroom, but also promote inclusive activities. Volunteers are trained and have had a background check. Typical elements include: modified Bible lessons, crafts, games, singing, and other interactive activities.
- Orange Room - for children ages 3-12
- Gold Room - for children ages 3-12 (more 1-to-1 volunteer-to-participant ratio)
- Mini-Church - for adults, ages 18 and up
- Blue Room - for adults, ages 18 and up (more 1-to-1 volunteer-to-participant ratio)
- Green Room - for teens, ages 13-18 (1-to-1 volunteer-to-participant ratio)
Faith-Cedar Lake Reflectors Worship
An accommodated worship experience offered every Sunday at the 11 am service for kids and teens with special needs. Typical elements include: a modified Bible lesson, prayer, memory verse, singing, and other interactive activities.
Faith-Valpo Reflectors Worship
An accommodated worship experience will be offered on 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at the 10 am service for teens and adults with special needs. Typical elements include: a modified Bible lesson, prayer, memory verse, singing, and other interactive activities.
Faith-Highland 'Access Worship'
A new worship experience for all ages and abilities. Click here for more information.
If you have any specific requests or accommodations for weekend or mid-week ministries at any campus beyond what is listed below, contact Vinnie Adams.
MIDWEEK GROUPS
"Wednesdays"
2nd & 4th Wednesdays during the school year | 6 pm - 8 pm | Faith Dyer
Wednesdays is a midweek connection, discipleship, and worship program for Faith's Dyer campus. In an effort to open this time to all families, here are the supports Reflectors offers:
For Reflectors Kids: On 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, Reflectors volunteers will be available to be with Reflectors kids in the "Orange Room" (downstairs) from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Drop-off begins at 5:50 pm. RSVP required (see below).
For Reflectors Teens and Adults: On 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, there will be a table in "The Commons" during the mealtime for Reflectors teens and adults to gather with a small group of volunteers, eat, share about the week, and look at a short scripture to apply to the week ahead. This will be during the 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm hour. RSVP not required.
For Parents: On 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, there will be 2 dedicated tables to Reflectors parents: Chuck Gist will host a table for dads, and Margaret Gist will host a table for moms. There won't be a heavy agenda; but rather a space to connect with each other, share (the good's and the bad's), and offer support to one another.
While programming continues for the kids downstairs during the 7pm - 8pm worship hour, it will be up to the parents of the kids how to spend that hour (in worship, connecting with each other, etc.).
Parents of teens and adults, the team facilitating the table (small group) will disperse at 7:00, but these families are welcome to stay for the 7:00 worship experience.
Meal Costs: Meal costs will be fully covered by Reflectors for parents, participants, and volunteers. You will just need a blue ticket, which you can pick up from a Reflectors staff or from Chuck or Margaret.
RSVP Forms: *due by 8am the Tuesday before
SEPTEMBER 27
OCTOBER 11
OCTOBER 25
NOVEMBER 8
NOVEMBER 22 (Thanksgiving - 7pm SERVICE ONLY)
DECEMBER 13
Friendship Ministry (offered at 2 locations)
Friendship Club is a group for adults and teens with intellectual disabilities. It's a great time of fellowship, Bible study, prayer, music, and snacks.
Faith-Highland (8910 Grace St.) | Contact: Amy Boshears
HIGHLAND FRIENDSHIP CLUB 2017-18 CALENDAR
Faith-Valpo (1155 S Sturdy Rd.) | Contact: Brent Bowgren
VALPO FRIENDSHIP CLUB 2017-18 CALENDAR
Fresh Hope
Fresh Hope is a support group for individuals with a mental health challenge and their loved ones.
Wednesdays | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm | Faith-Highland (8910 Grace St.)
Youth Ministry Support
We love facilitating inclusion within the youth ministries at Faith Church! To find out more about Faith Students, you can visit their page here. If you'd like to learn more about how to get your middle school or high school student plugged into youth group, please contact Vinnie Adams.
Resources
Lending Library (view PDF here) If you would like to check out any of these books from the Dyer office, please email
Reflectors Training Handbook
Click Here to View (PDF)
Monthly Training Videos
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Video 4
Video 5
Behavior Training Pt. 1 (2/6/16)
Behavior Training Pt. 2 (2/6/16)
PDF Handout for Behavior Training
In-House VIDEOS
Psalm 139 Video
The "I Am" Confessions
Apostles' Creed Video (original)
Apostles' Creed Video (updated)
The 5 Stages Overview (updated)
Irresistible Church
Poskin Family Testimony
Fresh Hope at Faith Church
Mike & Jared Testimony from "Wednesdays"
The 5 Stages of Disability Attitudes (original)
Doug Mazza Testimony at Faith Church (11/11/12)
Reflectors Worship Service (3/2/14)
The Great Banquet Recap (5/1/15)
Global Partner Prayer Cards
Heshima (Kenya)
Tesoros de Dios (Nicaragua)
Love into Action (Palestine)
God's Children(Haiti)
Equip India
Christian Horizons (Canada)
parents
Participant Intake Form (IWP)
We want to get to know each Reflectors Ministry Participant as best we can, and the information on this forms helps us do that. All information will remain confidential and will only be shared with Reflectors Ministry staff and applicable volunteers. *This is a requirement for all regularly attending participants
Parent Policies
Serve
There are many opportunities to serve in the Reflectors Ministry across the FC campuses.
Please click here for information and next steps!
Contact
Ministry Director: Vinnie Adams
E.
// P. (219) 864-0300 x197
Dyer Campus Kids Program Director: Pam VanderMeer
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// P. (219) 864-0300 x145
Dyer Campus Teen & Adult Program Director: Luanne Alderden
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// P. (219) 864-0300 x187
Cedar Lake Campus Program Director: Lexie Cupples
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// P. (219) 864-0300 x196