Special Needs
Special Needs
Welcome to Parkside's Special Needs Ministry, Faithful Friends. We pray that you will know the love of Christ in real ways as we care for your loved one.
Our Vision
We desire that every person at Parkside Church, with differing abilities, intellect, and skills would become a committed follower of Jesus Christ. We recognize that the Special Needs Ministry will look different than a typical ministry for children, teens, and adults, and we desire that this ministry will:
- enable the full participation of people touched by disability in the life of the church;
- be a safe and loving place for children, teens, and adults with special needs;
- teach children, teens, and adults with special needs the truths of God’s Word in ways they may understand;
- show children, teens, and adults with special needs the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in practical ways;
- allow parents/caregivers to worship and study God’s Word, while their family member is safely cared for;
- be a support group for families with children, teens, and adults who have special needs.
Our History
We began in 1992 with two teens with special needs and two helpers. Both of these teens are now adults who attend the Faithful Friends Adult class.
Recent Blog Posts
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Faithful Friends Volunteers Needed
In 1992, when we began our Special Needs Ministry, we couldn’t imagine how the Lord would grow it. Today we are able to serve over 30 families and members from a local group home in 3 different classes: Faithful Friends Jr, Faithful Friends Teen and Faithful Friends Adults.
Register
A typical class includes a time of structured play, singing, teaching through a Bible story, and free time. Our adult class also meets each Sunday for fellowship, singing, studying the Word of God and praying for one another. This past year the adult class also worked through Catechism questions. They love their Sunday mornings together.
Our volunteers, who serve Sunday by Sunday are the heart of the ministry. Often, they are needed to work one-on-one with participants. They are the first to say that although the ministry has unique challenges, the blessings of working with children, teens, and adults with special needs are numerous. For parents, who attend worship knowing that their children are in a safe and fun environment, our Faithful Friends Ministry supplies an essential and reliable part to their Sunday routine.
This Fall we are looking for all age level volunteers—teens through adults—to help us! If you're looking for a place at Parkside where you can use your time, gifts, and abilities to bless others, we invite you to consider joining the Faithful Friends volunteers.
We are praying for 15 new workers to serve every other week on Sunday mornings, in any of our Faithful Friends Jr., Teen, or Adult classes. Will you join us? -
Faithful Friends Game Night
Adults with special needs are invited to a board game night. Join us at the Loft in Solon on April 25 from 6-8pm.
The Loft is located at 31200 Solon Rd., Solon 44139 (2nd unit from end).
We will enjoy games, fellowship, and fun! Pizza and drinks will be provided. For questions, please call or text Tracy Reid at 440-479-9093.
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Faithful Friends Advent Schedule
December 1
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Faithful Friends Jr. & Faithful Friends Teens will meet as usual
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No Faithful Friends adult class
December 8
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All Faithful Friends classes will meet
December 15
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All Faithful Friends classes will meet
December 22
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Faith Friends, Jr. and Faithful Friends Teens will meet as usual
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No Faithful Friends adult class
December 29
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All Faithful Friends Classes will NOT meet
January 5
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Faithful Friends Jr. & Faithful Friends Teens will meet as usual
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No Faithful Friends adult class
January 12
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All classes resume as usual
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