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Join us for a sensory friendly worship experience, every 4th Sunday at St. Matthew's UMC. We'll gather in the Parlor. ***If you’re wondering what makes this service different from a traditional or contemporary worship service, first let me say, it's really not that different.
Our special needs service has a lot in common with our traditional service.
- We’ll sing some of the same hymns.
- We will pray some of the same liturgical prayers and credal affirmations.
- We will celebrate the sacrament of holy communion.
But the expectations of the participants will be different.
- Do I expect everyone to sit still? No.
- Will I expect everyone to be quiet? No.
- Will we expect everyone to respond to responsive liturgical readings? No.
- Will I expect everyone to be on their best behavior? No.
- Will we expect people to be dressed in Sunday clothes? No.
And....
- We will have intentional "move breaks" after prayer.
- The lights will be slightly dimmed.
- There were be fewer instruments that cause traumatic sensory vibrations (pipe organ, drums, loud speakers, violin).
- The service will be shorter.
- Participants will be gifted with various fidgets for comfort or just to keep hands busy, which at times helps some people focus.
- Finally, it will actively engage persons of varying abilities and nuero-diversities to participate and lead.
If he's up to it, my son who has autism will read scriptures and prayers. Maybe my daughter (also with autism) will help lead the Lord's Prayer. It's likely that my middle child, their neurotypical sibling, will have a chance to lead as well.
And then when the time is right, one day we will have more people willing to step up and lead as well. Our goal will be to come allow others who may have special needs or have overcome special needs to come alongside us as we do ministry with and for our beloved community.
Be sure to help spread the word!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
St Matthew's United Methodist Church, 669 West Cross Dr, Houston, TX 77018-5524, United States,Houston, Texas
