Special Needs & Mental Health
Learn about our story of disability ministry and becoming an inclusive church. Click here.
Be sure to check out our Special Needs Respite Program called Buddy Break.
The Fredericktown United Methodist Church is a handicapped accessible facility with handicapped accessible restrooms, elevator, and wheelchair lift.
For worship, we provide large print hymnals, bibles and bulletins and also have hearing amplification devices and back rests available for use during the service. Just ask any ushers. Our sanctuary is equipped with pew cutouts to accommodate wheelchairs and we have a few rocking chairs and gliders for those who have difficulty sitting in pews. We now have a sensory room available should children with special challenges need a quiet place in which to hang out. Ushers can help here as well.
We have a disability ministry team which endeavors to support and provide accommodations for inclusion of persons of all abilities into all areas of church life. We provide educational opportunities to continue to learn how we can be an inclusive church, not just with physical and developmental disabilities but to serve those persons who live with mental health diagnoses as well. We believe in using “person first” language.
Our children’s team leaders have created an inventory for parents to fill out when you drop off your children for our care during the service. The information on your children alerts teachers and staff to special needs that your children might have whether it be diet restrictions, physical and/or emotional needs.
Mental Health
FUMC is continuing its efforts to destigmatize mental illness. Recently we hosted a seven session series of conversations and education. This project was developed with the collaboration of people with the organization called AllBelong, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Steven Grcevich, author of Mental Health and the Church, gave us input as well. If you are interested, you can find a pdf and online version of what we did, here.