Posts Tagged ‘GraceWorks’
Tuesday Spiritual Column: Kindness
Posted on: March 4, 2014
BY BRENDA ROTH
We are currently in the middle of a nine-week series at Northview Church about The Fruit of the Spirit entitled, “The 9.” We are learning that the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, but the Spirit has nine attributes – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.
This week was Kindness’ turn in the spotlight. I started out writing a column on appreciation, but it has since evolved into a column on kindness.
I’m a volunteer for GraceWorks here at Northview. For those of you that don’t know, GraceWorks is a ministry devoted to serving special needs kids. Every fourth Friday of the month, we have Friday Fun Night. This is an opportunity for parents of special needs children to drop off the kids (both special needs and their siblings), have date night, take a nap or run errands free of children. It has been a success at every level, and I have loved serving. The kids have a great time eating pizza, playing, doing crafts and watching a movie. The volunteers have a great time loving on the kids.
This month we ran short on volunteers, so I reached out to my friends and family to ask for their assistance. My family stepped up in a big way. My mother, two of my sisters and my nephew agreed to help out. And, they don’t even attend Northview.
This is kindness at its best. Kindness on the part of the church to recognize this is a much needed ministry. Kindness on the part of the staff to devote their life’s work to this ministry. Kindness on the part of the volunteers to give up their time to help out.
SCENE CHANGE
I’m single and I live alone with my best bud, Maggie. She’s a feisty, chunky, 11 year-old brindle cat. About a week and a half ago, Mags started acting like she wasn’t feeling well. She has progressively gotten worse. This week I took her to the vet. Tests won’t be back until next week, but the vet is concerned and gives me the name of her preferred 24-hour emergency clinic… just in case. Maggie is very weak, and I know it’s serious.
I’m devoted to GraceWorks Friday Fun Night, but I’m also devoted to Maggie. I called Amanda (GraceWorks guru and one of my personal heroes) to let her know that I would be there, but I would be leaving early to check on Maggie as I didn’t want to leave her alone for too long. Amanda was very understanding. I felt bad about leaving early as I knew Amanda needed the help, and I had recruited four of my family members to serve for the first time. But, I did leave to go home and be with Maggie. I’m glad I did.
I was sitting on the sofa, and Maggie was lying on the floor. I started singing softly to her. “I love you Maggie… Oh yes, I do… I love you Maggie… And I’ll be true… When you’re not with me, I’m blue… Oh Maggie, I love you.” Her tail started moving. I kept singing. She raised her head and looked at me. I kept singing. She hobbled over to me and started rubbing against my leg. I pet her and kept singing. She managed to jump on the sofa and lie next to me.
I continued petting her and singing. She started to purr and eventually fell asleep.
It was after ten by this time, and I wanted to know how the evening evolved at Friday Fun Night. I considered calling Amanda, but I knew she would be exhausted, so I called Mom. I was assured all went well, and then she asked about Maggie. I’m paraphrasing, but this is the gist of the conversation that ensued.
ME: She’s ok, but still not doing very well.
MOM: I’m afraid this may be the end for Maggie, Brenda.
ME: I’m not going to go there until I get the test results. But, why is it, Mom, that you don’t truly appreciate something until you’re in danger of losing it? I think I’m pretty good about being grateful, living in the moment and appreciating the good in my life. But, why is it that when you think you’re going to lose something precious that your sensitivity is heightened? I’ve always loved Maggie and appreciated her. But, why now is her fur softer? Why is her purr sweeter?
MOM: I heard a quote once that said something like, “The highs of life are wonderful, but you can’t live there.” Living there isn’t every day life. Some people try to live there – through drugs or whatever – but that isn’t real.
ME: Why can’t we live there? Why can’t we appreciate what we have with that depth of feeling and heightened sensitivity every day? Why does it take facing losing it to feel that way?
MOM: I don’t know, honey.
Maybe we can’t live every day on the mountaintop, but I think if we could live with appreciation for our blessings, however small, kindness would come more easily. We would be kind, because we would appreciate.
I was leaving the service Sunday morning and spoke with Amanda briefly. She said to me, “Have a good week. Go out and be kind to someone.” I replied, “You know, there is someone at work I don’t get along with, and she was on my heart when Pastor Steve talked about being kind regardless.” She said, “Oh yeah. That’s God tapping you on the shoulder.”
My aunt has a quote attached with every email she sends. “Be kinder than necessary, because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.” It’s so true. You will never regret being kind to someone, but a very good probability that you will regret not being kind.
It so easy to be kind to those who are kind to us. It’s such a struggle to be kind to those who are not. But, that is what should set us apart and what we are called to do as Christians. I think, perhaps, if we took the time to appreciate our own blessings and realize that others are unkind because they don’t, it may help a bit. Kindness is, after all, not an act, but a way of life. I will try to keep this at the forefront of my thoughts and challenge you to do the same.
The Tuesday Spiritual Column is entirely the opinion of this week’s writer and does not necessarily reflect the view of Northview Church as a whole.
All God’s children welcome here
Posted on: November 20, 2013
BY SALLY WEBB AMSTUTZ
The famous poet Carl Sandberg once said, “There is only one child in this world, and its name is All Children.” Northview Church opens its doors to all families and all their children, striving to serve their needs for spiritual growth. Luke 9:48 (NIV) shares the thoughts of Jesus: “…Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me…”
Amanda Arroyo is the coordinator of GraceWorks, which is a special-needs program at Northview Church. “We believe that each and every child is made perfectly by our God and bears His image,” Arroyo said. “Our mission is to teach kids with special needs about Jesus, to create an environment where all children are accepted and loved, and to develop relationships with children with special needs and their families.”
GraceWorks serves children ages birth to sixth grade. Arroyo shared, “We serve children of different needs and abilities—children with moderate to severe disabilities, children with mild disabilities, children who are medically fragile and others with special circumstances who might just need a little extra support for a short amount of time.” There are two opportunities for children during Weekend Services: the GraceGivers Program and the GraceWorks Room.
Every weekend, GraceGivers accommodate children with special needs in the preschool, elementary and middle school (North Beach) environments. A buddy, called a GraceGiver, will love on the child to whom they’re assigned and work to develop a relationship with them. They worship together during large-group time and learn about God in small groups.
Some children are better served outside the large classroom, so the GraceWorks room is available to them during church. The GraceWorks room provides large motor activities and a curriculum that is modified for learning styles and needs.
During the last eight months, the GraceWorks room located on the second floor of Northview’s Carmel campus has been temporary—requiring setup and tear-down every weekend. A new room has been built on the lower level of the rotunda across from the Stadium and Studio. This new room is called The Prairie, and Northview will celebrate its grand opening this weekend, Nov. 23/24. Stop by the room after services this weekend to check it out.
“I am so excited about this new room for many reasons,” said Arroyo. “First of all, I think it sends a huge message to our kids, families and the whole population at Northview Church that children of all abilities are equally valued. There will also be a much smoother transition for children who need a combination of time in both their assigned room and the GraceWorks room. Our volunteers who serve in The Prairie will also get the opportunity to feel a part of the Northview Kids team by being in the same location.”
Volunteers are at the heart of this ministry and crucial to its success. There are numerous opportunities to serve: Help prepare the curriculum, be a GraceGiver, teacher or a team lead. The ministry also needs volunteers for their monthly respite event, Friday Fun Night. Amanda is also looking for a Life Group that could adopt the room and take responsibility for cleaning and maintaining it.
GraceWorks is growing, and they are in constant need of new volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved, you can go directly to www.northviewchurch.us, find the online volunteer application and indicate that you are interested in GraceWorks. You can also contact Arroyo at amanda.arroyo@northviewchurch.us.
![The GraceWorks ministry relies on help from volunteers during Weekend Services and other events. To serve, contact amanda.arroyo@northviewchurch.us [photo by Steve Schuster]](https://thenorthviewblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/img_2018.jpg)
The GraceWorks ministry relies on help from volunteers during Weekend Services and other events. To serve, contact amanda.arroyo@northviewchurch.us [photo by Steve Schuster]
If families with special-needs children are interested in participating and receiving this support for their child, they can contact Arroyo at any time. She sets up meetings with families and together they determine the best approach to serving the child. “A child profile sheet will need to be filled out, which gives people serving with that child a clear picture of them and their needs,” said Arroyo.
What a blessing this program is to Northview’s church family. “GraceWorks is making a huge difference in the lives of many special kiddos and their families. Praise God!” Arroyo said.
BY JOHN RIGGIO
It’s a late summer evening and the cicadas’ shrill calls resonate. The sun sets like a father’s hand upon the tassled tops of the trees as parents are filing into Northview Church, children in tow, hand-in-hand for the GraceWorks Friday Fun Night. This is a free night once a month that parents and children look forward to.
“This event is a totally free, no-cost fun evening for the kids where they get individual attention and love. We want them to feel God’s love and know that they are perfectly made by God in His image,” says Amanda Arroyo, Northview’s First Impressions Coordinator and GraceWorks Coordinator.
Arroyo continues, “Kids arrive, meet the volunteer assigned to them, sit down together and have a pizza dinner. They get about one hour to do activities and then they lay down with pillows and blankets, watch a movie and eat snacks.”
The dining room has the warm, rolling smell of pizza and a hubbub of voices that rise and fall like a playground jungle gym. Cliff is an adult volunteer sharing a table and eating with 3-4 boys. He sits across from Andrew, who is there with his brother Michael. Andrew stands and beats his chest like Tarzan. “I love it here, and it’s only my first time,” he announces.
Michael nods and agrees. “I like the movies,” he says thoughtfully, as he pulls at his slice of pizza.
“GraceWorks is a ministry at Northview Church that serves families and children with special needs. A GraceGiver is just the name we give volunteers who are paired with a child to give that child extra attention and grace,” explains Arroyo.
“Having a child with special needs is a special blessing but it can also be very time consuming and exhausting at times. This event was developed to show the love of Christ to these parents by giving them a regular night out away from their children to go on a date, do errands or just rest,” confirms Arroyo.
Having fun at Friday Fun Night! (photo by Ben Yoder)
Little Mackenzie is sitting with adult volunteer, Diana, and with teenage volunteer, Sarah. Mackenzie’s eyes dance warm as toasted almonds. “This is where my friends are,” she smiles. “I know Sarah, Julia, Allison…” she trails off, looking around the room. She sees adults and teens with the younger children—some eating, some standing, some in wheelchairs and everyone engaged and enlightened.
Arroyo notes that at this program, “We work with children of varied abilities and disabilities. We have children who are medically fragile, children with ADHD, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and other developmental delays.” She wishes every family could take part in this program. However, “At this point we have a large number of families within our church who take advantage of this opportunity, so we are only offering it to families that attend Northview.”
Sarah is a tall teenage volunteer who keeps her hands lightly on Sean’s shoulders, as her young charge finishes his juice drink. “We are all blessed with this chance to be together. And I love seeing the parents come in dressed up for a date when they drop off their kids, then coming back after a nice long night out,” she sighs.
A volunteer helps a child put his train together at Friday Fun Night (photo by Ben Yoder)
The activities after dinner include make believe, arts and crafts, indoor playground activities and laughter.
“We are in need of volunteers who would be willing to join this team to serve once a month at this event. We need 30-40 volunteers to run this event. Experience with special needs children is not mandatory but is helpful. The only requirement is to be able to show the love of Christ to kids,” concludes Arroyo.
Arroyo outlined the upcoming schedule for Friday Fun Nights: “October’s event is set for October 25. We will take a break in November and December due to holidays. Starting in the new year, we plan to have the events on the fourth Friday of the month from January through May.”
If interested in serving, go to northviewchurch.us and fill out a volunteer application under Northview Kids and indicate GraceWorks on the application. To find out more about becoming a volunteer contact Amanda Arroyo at 846-2884 or amanda.arroyo@northviewchurch.us.
The GraceWorks program is growing
Posted on: May 16, 2013
BY ELISSA LINDSEY
GraceWorks. What an interesting name for a ministry here at Northview Church. Most people have a pretty good idea of what “grace” is and understand that it does, indeed, work. But what does this particular ministry name, GraceWorks, really mean?
GraceWorks is a program for children with disabilities. Amanda Arroyo, the program’s coordinator, said she realized at an early age that she had a heart for working with children with disabilities and that this was the path on which God set her. Arroyo believes that everywhere she turns, “God puts me in a place to love on and work with children with special needs.” She taught in deaf education for 17 years, often with children having multiple disabilities. Children with any kind of special need or who are medically fragile receive services based on that need in this program. The program is able to help children with autism, cerebral palsy, ADHD, sensory processing disorders and Asperger’s Syndrome, just to name a few. These kids are paired with a buddy called a “GraceGiver,” who spends time with that child during the church’s Weekend Services.
“Our main goal in GraceWorks is for these children to know how deeply Jesus loves them. . . that they are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. . . that He has made them part of the body of Christ for a specific purpose and that He has a perfect plan for their lives,” Arroyo said. “We want all children, regardless of their gifts or abilities, to encounter the Spirit of God during their time at Northview Kids.”
The GraceWorks program has blossomed under Arroyo’s direction in the past few months. When asked what kind of changes she made to the program since taking it over, she responded that she has set up some new procedures, including asking parents to fill out a family profile. This questionnaire gives her more in-depth information on each child, so that they can be paired with the best match in a GraceGiver. This allows each child to be more easily, safely and appropriately cared for. The families also agree to attend a particular Weekend Service time of their choice. Having a regular schedule allows more consistency for the family and the GraceGiver, who communicate frequently with each other and with Arroyo. This has also greatly increased the program’s ability to keep up with happenings within the lives of the families.
Arroyo also instituted a system of backpacks for every child and their GraceGiver to use during their time at the church. There are many tools, toys and tricks of the trade in the backpacks, allowing the GraceGiver to help their child participate more fully during the program time. The GraceGiver lends support to their child in the form of redirection of attention, encouragement, summarization and repetition of the material, physical support in completing tasks and getting around. There is also a special classroom, which acts as a “sensory room,” containing things that help children with sensory-processing problems. The GraceGiver can choose to take their child there at any time, if they think that it will be helpful. This room contains many aids, such as weighted items, swings, balls and special lighting. Curriculum is also provided in this room, so that the children can hear the Word of God in a loving, supportive learning environment.
Arroyo also coordinates a respite event that is held four times a year, called Afternoon Away. This event allows parents of special-needs kids to drop off all their children for a three-hour period of free childcare. This helps the parents or guardians of special-needs kids to have a break, knowing that they can have a date night, run errands or just relax without having to worry about their children receiving wonderful, loving care.
Child and volunteer at Afternoon Away. (photo by Mark Lavin)
Kelly, a mother of one of the program’s participants, says her family had been attending Northview for about a month when they realized that having one-on-one care through GraceWorks would be a very good thing for their son, as he can become distracted easily. “He is actually learning about God and the Bible in his class, with the help of the GraceGiver!” Kelly said.
Kelly encourages parents of special-needs children to become involved in this program. Her advice is to speak with Arroyo or other GraceWorks families first. Kelly believes that “the greatest investment in the program is to give back: volunteer your time in some way.”
As the program continues to grow, more volunteers will be needed. One of the program’s volunteers, Susan, had been attending Northview for about a month when she saw a video during Weekend Services about GraceWorks. Susan had previously been an interpreter for deaf and blind children. She had been yearning to work with special-needs children again and knew that GraceWorks was how she could get plugged in at Northview, helping fulfill a need for the church and for herself. She was impressed that the church offered this program, as she knows many families who don’t attend church because they have a special-needs child. Even though these families need a break, they frequently don’t trust that there is someone who will understand what they go through and who will understand the child’s needs. GraceWorks helps relieve these concerns.
Now Susan has been volunteering with GraceWorks for more than a year. After several attempts at a GraceGiver match, none of which seemed to work very well, Susan began to wonder if God had something else in store for her. However, it was at that point that Arroyo matched Susan with a little girl named Abby during an Afternoon Away event. When Abby’s dad dropped her off, he and Susan talked for a little while, and he gave Susan some rather complex instructions regarding his daughter’s care. Susan says it was at this point that she “started to sweat,” wondering if she was really equipped to serve in this ministry. As Abby’s dad left, Susan felt sure that he would turn back around to check on them. He must have recognized that Susan had a heart for this type of service, and he confidently left his daughter with Susan for the afternoon. Susan was amazed by this, thinking to herself, “He just met me.” That day went well, and Susan has been joyfully working with Abby ever since.
Susan describes Abby as someone who is “so sweet and just fills me up with love.” Susan usually brings her 8- and 13-year-old daughters with her on the weekends. The girls love coming to see and work with Abby, and they strive to make her smile. One of the biggest benefits Susan has seen through all this is that her daughters realize the importance of volunteering. They are also learning that “even though someone can’t communicate through their voice, they can speak volumes through their eyes!” Susan finds satisfaction in knowing that she and her daughters bring a peace to Abby’s parents, too. They have the opportunity to attend Weekend Services without interruption, knowing that their daughter is being lovingly cared for while receiving God’s Word and making new friends.
When asked how she sees this program developing and changing in the near future, Arroyo mentioned that this ministry requires a lot of equipment to properly care for the GraceWorks kids. Much of the equipment is rather expensive, but it is equipment that is important in helping these children communicate and learn their Bible lessons. Arroyo says that donations toward this worthy ministry are always needed and welcomed.
Arroyo also hopes to hold more training events for volunteers, as well as other support and social events for the families. She has learned much in her twenty years of experience in special education, taking ideas and expert advice from other therapists and visiting similar programs at other churches in this area. Arroyo views this as an integrated, well-coordinated ministry to help the families of special-needs children and an opportunity to raise awareness of the many ways Northview outreaches to those in need of special services.
It sounds to me like she’s making a lot of progress. GraceWorks? Yes, it does.
To make donations to GraceWorks or serve in this program, please contact Amanda Arroyo at amanda.arroyo@northviewchurch.us.
BY JOE HAMMONS
Northview Church’s Carmel campus is proud to offer a unique and wonderful program for our families with deaf children.
We are so blessed to have Amanda Arroyo, First Impressions and GraceWorks coordinator. Amanda taught for 17 years in Deaf education, most recently at the Indiana School for the Deaf. She continues to use her gifts and talents to bless those in the deaf Community through the Deaf Children’s Ministry.
Amanda wanted a way to reach out to deaf children and their families. The American Sign Language StoryHouris an incredible outreach that fulfills special needs so that families have a time and place to be with each other, socialize and learn and experience Christian fellowship. And it’s a lot of fun!
The American Sign Language Story Hour is an incredible outreach that fulfills special needs so that families have a time and place to be with each other, socialize and learn and experience Christian fellowship.
Designed specifically for deaf children age 4-12 years old, a different story is read each time in ASL and in English. Voice interpretation will be provided; hearing children are also welcome. These are interactive events where the children can ask and answer questions, do crafts related to the story, learn signing and more. Also, they will get to enjoy ice cream from Capstone!
At the conclusion of each class, and if they so choose, Amanda will email the participants a link to an ASL video file. The video clip is the retelling of the story and also covers the signing lessons that are taught during the class. The ASL Story Houris held once a month, usually on the second or third Saturday in the Atrium. Dates and times include: Jan. 12, Feb. 16, March 16, April 20 and May 11 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Please contact Amanda Arroyo at amanda.arroyo@northviewchurch.us or 317.846.2884 for more information.
BY MICHELLE THOMPSON
Research supports the power of ‘a place to call home’ – fully equipped with a safe, warm, caring environment, nurturing, supportive adults, and stable school environments – in building a foundation from which children thrive and grow. The Agape House is just such a place. A Hamilton County non-profit organization, Agape House is home to eight foster children in need of a safe environment, excellent schools, Christ-centered spiritual guidance and most of all, unconditional love.
Amanda Arroyo, First Impressions/GraceWorks coordinator at Northview Church’s Carmel campus and Good Neighbor Weekend of Service volunteer, learned first-hand the amazing work of Agape House in October. Amanda participated in the Saturday morning service project with her Life Group, joining hands with about 30 – 40 other volunteers.
Rolling up their sleeves to accomplish the tasks needed, the group mowed, raked leaves and cleared parts of the yard. The front and side porches were painted and the back porch was scrubbed down. This is a newly secured home for the Agape House, and there was much to do: cleaning inside and outside the home, within the kitchen, polishing things and making the house more of a home for the children. While the adults were busy at work, children of the volunteers and Agape House children were busy at play.
A Life Group from Northview Church’s Carmel campus recently volunteered at Agape House through Good Neighbor Weekend.
The Northview Church Life Group connected to Agape through Amanda Harris, group participant, who was familiar with the work and needs of the home. “The experience gave me the opportunity to really get to know my new friends and work towards something together,” she said. “It was very special to see the love of Jesus in all the friendly faces on our team.”
The Agape House staff (volunteers and the ‘Mom’) offers a huge commitment and many sacrifices to make this special place a home to the children. “God has obviously created Christians for serving,” Arroyo said. “When you serve there is an immense satisfaction and peace that comes along with doing for others.”
This home was established to keep siblings together in the foster system. The Agape House Mom wants to ensure that the children maintain a relationship with their birth families as much as appropriate and possible. The October Good Neighbor Weekend of Service didn’t conclude the helping hand extended to Agape House. The Life Group continues to keep in touch and lend a hand when able. Recently, the lawn mower was on the blink, and Life Group members pitched in to get it repaired.
As with any home, the work is never finished. Agape House is no different. For this ‘family,’ the adage, ‘if you build it they will come,’ seems both fitting and true!
For more information on Agape House, please visit www.agapefamilies.org.
BY ELISSA LINDSEY
How do you cope with tragedy when it suddenly strikes? What may be your first response when your world unexpectedly crumbles around you? These are things that Phyllis Beltz, a 33-year member of Northview Church’s Carmel campus, faced a few years ago. Within four years’ time, she experienced the deaths of three family members, including her husband. Nothing, however, prepared her for what she faced one cold February morning. As Phyllis so succinctly put it, death did not come quietly, but crashed into her life “like a destroying tornado.”
She received a phone call from a police chief that February day, informing her that her beloved 10-year-old grandson, Christopher, whom she was raising, had been killed by a school bus. This set Phyllis on a deep, dark, frightening journey into grief that she had never before traveled. She did not want this to be a path of despair. Phyllis knew she was not alone, because a “gracious, loving, sovereign God” journeyed with her and brought her through it all to victory.
Phyllis has written a book about her experience titled “Born for Heaven: Playing with Angels.” None of this came easily or quickly, and Phyllis says it took about four months before she was able to begin this work. With summer getting close, she was reminded of Christopher and how much he loved playing outside. Originally, she said, her writing just started out to be a record of the events surrounding the accident as a remembrance for Christopher’s younger sister, who Phyllis knew would have many questions as she grew older. Phyllis also knew that she was the only one who knew the details of her 10 years with Christopher. As she wrote, she began to realize how therapeutic this process was for her. She added more detail and began to wonder if there might be other people who could benefit from all she went through during such a devastating time in her life. This is when her writings began to expand into a book.
Northview Church member Phyllis Beltz has written a book, called “Born for Heaven: Playing with Angels” in remembrance of her grandson Christopher.
This book has definitely been a labor of love for Phyllis. She said the process was heart-wrenching. She wasn’t able to work on her book for very long at a time, simply because it drained her of her energy. Many times, after writing, rewriting, thinking or getting pictures together, she would end up in bed, “crying my heart out.” Ultimately, Phyllis’s writing became a portrayal of her grandson’s life and her response to and healing from a shattering, life-changing situation.
Phyllis described Christopher as someone who “loved life, and it showed in his smile. He was always ready to play and was always searching for a friend.” Christopher also had a great love for Jesus and Northview Church, where he was in the GraceWorks program for children with special needs. Occasionally, he would have outbursts of rebellion, and his smile would fade. Phyllis said those were the times she felt that it was hard to determine what frustrates a child. The main thing was that Christopher liked to be held and hugged. This was what calmed him during those difficult times.
Phyllis and Christopher shared many bonds. Hugs. Smiles. A close relationship. Love for each other. Joy in the church they attended. Love for our Savior. To have that suddenly taken away is a stark reminder of how precious, fragile and tenuous life really is. The message Phyllis hopes to convey through her book is this: “No matter what you go through in life, no matter the heartache, Jesus said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’” She said she clung to this verse in Hebrews 13:5 after the accident.
Phyllis believes that in traumatic situations, people need peace, especially when they think they will never experience it again. She hopes that those who read her book will develop a hunger and thirst for God’s Word and will seek an indepth study of it. She quotes a scripture that comforted her by helping her to remember that God’s Word is our peace. Philippians 4:7 reads: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.
Phyllis is comforted by God’s Word and His promises. She knows that someday, there will be a final victory over death, as seen in the following scripture she shared: Revelation 21:4: “And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain the first things have passed away.”
Phyllis’s book, “Born for Heaven: Playing with Angels,” can be purchased from Barnes & Noble, Google, Inspiring Voices publishers or from our own Capstone Café & Bookstore. The book is also available on Kindle and Nook. In addition, Phyllis has copies of the book, which can be purchased directly from her.
For more information on GraceWorks, please visit http://www.northviewchurch.us/graceworks.
by Andi Wilson
Shae McCormick, 12, is friends with one very special person at Northview Church’s Carmel campus. The two share a special relationship after meeting around three years ago at church. Shae works as one of Jenna’s “Grace Workers” with Jenna’s mom, Tara Yancey.
In the beginning, Jenna would ask on a weekly basis before church began whom she would be working with. As Jenna grew to love and relate to Shae, their relationship grew quickly. From then on, Shae has held a special place in her heart for Jenna – and of course, the feeling is mutual.
Tara informed Shae of Jenna’s upcoming baptism and asked Shae if she was interested in participating. Elated, Shae agreed, giving both Shae and Tara the opportunity to be at the baptism. This also helped with the baptism of Tara’s younger daughter and Jenna’s younger sister, Lauren. Having Shae present for Jenna’s baptism opened it up for Tara to help Lauren clean up and dry off after her own baptism.
Jenna, who is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, suffers from seizures and Mitochondrial Disease. The left side of Jenna’s body is not as strong as her right side. At one point, Jenna suffered from hundreds of seizures each day. The Mitochondrial Disease only worsened Jenna’s condition by weakening her further.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Cerebral Palsy is caused by injuries (or abnormalities) of the human brain. These problems begin within the first two years of a child’s life. Some are linked to low levels of oxygen, premature birth, bleeding in the brain, infections, head injuries or severe jaundice. Often (and as in Jenna’s case) Cerebral Palsy only occurs in one side of the child’s body. Although there is no treatment for Cerebral Palsy, there are steps to take to teach the person how to live independently.
NCBI also states that diseases in mitochondria cause damage to the brain cells, heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscles and the respiratory and endocrine systems. The results vary, however the symptoms could include loss of motor control, pain or weakness in the muscles, difficulty swallowing, intestinal disorders, growth issues, problems with vision or hearing and other issues.
The connection between the two girls may not be anything uniquely noticed by “outsiders.” However, their connection is strong and unique partly because of Jenna’s age as well as how the girls play and spend time with one another. In fact, the Yancey family may enjoy Jenna’s company throughout the summer as Jenna might help the family with childcare.
Without the help of Grace Workers – a Northview Program that gives parents of special needs children a little time away and the children time to play – Jenna would be unable to attend church. For instance, at times Jenna has problems finding her way through a room. Knowing Shae will be at church every other Sunday gives Jenna something to look forward to. The Yancey family is proud of Shae and the special place in her heart she has found for Jenna.
Tara says she feels blessed that Northview has Grace Workers who show God’s love to families such as the Yancey family. Without workers like Shae, Tara says, “I would not be able to attend church. I would not have the friends at Northview and my relationship with God would not be as strong.”
by Nancy Price
Parents of children with special needs can go to church or enjoy an afternoon away, thanks to a program at Northview called GraceWorks.
GraceWorks provides adult and child volunteers to play with special-needs children while the parents go on a date or attend church services together.
“It’s a really neat ministry for those who feel they can’t come to church,” Shanna Banks, leader of GraceWorks, said. “For those children with medical needs, babysitters are hard to find.”
Shanna said some spouses may have previously attended one service and the other spouse the other, as they felt one parent always needed to be with their child.
The volunteers are available several times a year on a Sunday afternoon so that parents can have several hours away to enjoy a date.
“I love it; I look forward to it,” Jill, a parent of a child with special needs, said of the program. “I’m ready for the next one.”
GraceWorks pairs a volunteer, called a “buddy,” with a child. The child can play in a bounce house, ride a tricycle or scooter or use sensory-based activities, among other activities to choose from.
“The children get to do things that they wouldn’t get to at home,” Jill said.
Siblings of children with special needs are also invited.
Parents of a special needs child fill out a form to include the child’s interests so the children can do what they enjoy with their buddy, Banks said, who also noted that volunteers have tight relationships with the families.
“The volunteers love the children,” Banks said. “It’s comforting for the families.”
Jill agreed, stating, “My husband and I can connect on a deeper level on our dates without worrying about our child. It lets us relax.”
“It benefits us, knowing the church wants to help us,” Jill continued. “I’ve never known another church like this. They make every effort to help in a practical, easy way. You feel like you’re not alone in your struggle.”
GraceWorks is looking for volunteers who would like to make a difference. Volunteers are especially needed on Saturdays for the 5 p.m. church service or for the upcoming Afternoon Away on May 15.
For more information about GraceWorks or to sign up for upcoming Afternoon Aways, please contact Shanna Banks at shanna.banks@northviewchurch.us.
thenorthviewblog.wordpress.com 