Special Needs
Kids and Adults
For our friends and neighbors with special needs (and their families)...you belong here
Not only are our friends and neighbors with special needs welcome at Christ Presbyterian, they are also among the greatest treasures God has given to us! We are here to encourage, help, and "learn the Kingdom of God" from our special friends. In turn, our hope is that they and their families will experience a kind of presence, support, and encouragement that overcomes isolation and creates belonging.
Kids with Special Needs
If your child needs assistance on a Sunday morning, please let us know in advance. We want to create a personalized engagement plan to serve each of our special friends. For more information or to connect about an engagement plan, please contact us.
Sundays
Sunday Worship:
At Christ Presbyterian, we provide hands-on, personal assistance during Sunday worship and Sunday morning classes for kids with special needs. In most cases, a support buddy is assigned to provide an accessible, inclusive experience of worship, spiritual development, and community.
Inspirations Jr. Learning Group:
During the 10:30 a.m. learning hour, we also offer fellowship, relationship building, and prayer with modified methods specific to our friends with special needs. (Also meets via Zoom on Mondays from 3:30-4:30 p.m.)
Special Saturday:
Special Saturday is an uplifting, monthly time of Bible stories, music, crafts, and more for kids with special needs and their siblings. Our hope is that it will also provide parents with a meaningful, morning respite.
Very Special Bible School (VsBS):
Every summer, we host a Vacation Bible School specific to our friends with special needs and their siblings.
Adults with Special Needs
Sunday Worship:
Our adult friends with special needs typically attend our Worship services, sometimes with support buddies. Many of our special friends also serve on our hospitality and communion teams.
Inspirations Learning Group:
During the 10:30 a.m. hour, our adult friends with special needs are led in a time for a Bible lesson, fellowship, relationship building, and prayer.
*The Inspirations Learning Group is also provided on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. via zoom.
The Ascent:
The Ascent is a Sunday evening, bi-monthly gathering for adults with special needs to have a place for community, growth in their faith, service, worship, and fellowship. View upcoming events in section below.
Summer Dance:
Our Summer Dance is an annual, super-fun evening where our teen and adult friends with special needs get a chance to fellowship, eat, act silly, and dance the night away.
Upcoming Events
Support
Parent Support Group
The Special Needs Caregiver Support Group consists of moms and dads who share in the joys and challenges of serving children with learning differences and special needs. Our mission is to provide fellowship, support, and shared resources to families, in an effort to live and love intentionally through Christ. We have a monthly gathering on Sundays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in Room 113 in the CPA Veritas Hall – grab coffee from the church lobby and we'll provide snacks and conversation.
Our Staff Team
Our staff at Old Hickory Blvd partners with an amazing team of volunteers as well as health, social work, and educational professionals to provide support for our friends with special needs, as well as their caregivers and loves ones.
Meet the CPC OHB Special Needs Team
Gigi Sanders
Director of Special Needs Ministry
Sarah Portillo
Special Needs Coordinator
Special Needs FAQs
Yes! Many of our adult friends with special needs serve on our Hospitality, Communion, and Worship teams.
Please do! In order to serve our friends with special needs and their families in a safe and excellent manner, it always helps us to plan ahead. Please email us to start the conversation.
Yes! We collaborate with you to determine what support is needed to create accessible worship for your entire family. Our process is personalized to ensure that the unique needs of your family members are addressed.
We are eager to come alongside you in the unique, sometimes overwhelming challenges that caregivers and families face. We want to encourage you in every way that we can! Find out how we can partner with you here.
Serve in Special Needs Ministry
Our Special Needs Volunteers are the best! We would love you to join our team to encourage our friends with special needs. There are many opportunities to serve, one of which may be the perfect fit for you!