At First UMC Arlington we have an exceptional focus on families with special needs members. We understand that each family has individual needs and it is our goal to meet those needs. If you're interested in volunteering with our Special Needs ministries or would like more information on attending, please contact us!
SUNDAY SCHOOL
SHINING STARS
Sundays | 10:00 am | Ages 3–12 | Room 108
A safe and fun class for special needs children to attend on Sunday mornings to learn about and experience the Love of God. Other family members can enjoy one of two worship services held during this time. Parents must notify us each week that their child will be attending so that we can match up volunteers to the child’s needs. Please contact Rev. Kay Lancaster no later than the Thursday before the Sunday you wish for your child to attend.
AMAZING GRACE
Sundays | 10:00 am | Teenagers & Adults
Amazing Grace members have a heart for serving others. In addition to weekly Bible lessons, they participate in mission activities such as providing holiday meals for families in need, giving the church a beautiful live nativity scene before Christmas, and leading the church in the Your Change Can Change the World campaign during the season of Lent.
FIRST FRIDAYS RESPITE PROGRAM
First Fridays is a program that provides an evening of respite for parents of special needs children and adults once a month (during the school year) at no charge.
A team of volunteers provide childcare for special needs children & and their siblings on the first Friday evening of the month while their parents enjoy a night out. We maintain a one-to-one ratio with the special needs children to ensure safety and individualized care. We have one or more nurses to assist with medical-related tasks, as well as other volunteers who enjoy playing with the siblings.
Each participant has the opportunity to play in a group or by themselves based upon their needs and preferences. We offer music, crafts, gym time, quiet activities, movies and special entertainment.
Check out a great video from MyArlingtonTX's Dream Builders series, featuring our First Friday program.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Rev. Kay Lancaster or call 817-274-2571.
ANNUAL EVENTS
VACATION BIBLE CAMP
Date: 2024 TBD
Contact Rev. Kay Lancaster for more information on Special Needs Vacation Bible Camp.
AMAZING GRACE LIVE NATIVITY
Come and walk through the Manger Scene performed by our very own Amazing Grace members. The nativity is performed one Sunday in December each year in Room 153.
"YOUR CHANGE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD" LENTEN OFFERING
Each year, Amazing Grace Sunday School sponsors a Lenten offering at the church called Your Change Can Change the World. The congregation is encouraged to collect change from their pockets at the end of the day in cups provided by Amazing Grace. These cups are brought to the church each Sunday during Lent and are received and counted by the class. Amazing Grace selects a mission project to fund with the money collected.