Embracing the Special Needs Community
GPC Special Needs Ministry is a program intended to expand our participants through multi sensory engagement. Our primary program is Friendship Circle which meets weekly on Wednesdays. This year we added Brunch Bunch which is a breakfast gathering. We are also excited to Movin’ & Groovin’, an inclusive dance class, and Imagine That!, a bible story class, to the Special Needs ministry of GPC! These new programs will be offered in the Activity Center. See below for days and times.
Amplify, our music program, is on hiatus at the moment but we hope to reactivate it in the spring or next fall. We will update as we progress.
Each program is listed below with descriptions and times. Take a look and see how you and/or your participant can get involved with GPC Special Needs Ministries.
Info for Volunteers
As GPC’s Special Needs Program grows, so grows our need for trained volunteers.
Having a background in working with individuals with special needs is NOT required, because the GPC Special Needs Program Director and staff will equip you with the tools you need to serve. Several volunteer opportunities await and are likely perfectly aligned with your God-given gifts and talents!
The SNMT (Special Needs Ministry Team) is accepting applications for Buddy Volunteers. Buddies serve in 2 ways:
- Extra hands in the self-contained classroom
- Assistant in the typical classroom environment
If you are willing to step up and step in to help, please contact Jackie Classen Williams, at 754-5195 or specialneeds@gpctn.org.
We are excited to announce to the GPC family that Jeff Day will be our new Amplify Special Needs Music Coordinator starting in August! Since he was a child, Jeff’s parents taught him to use his talents to help make the world a better place. He’s always been involved in music ministry in some form or another in the church, but over the years he’s also wondered how much more he could do besides singing in the choir. Jeff truly feels God calling him to use the talent that HE provided to assist in showing those with special needs how to discover their own musical ability. God has blessed us all with some form of musical talent, and to share music with others is surely a gift that we can all learn from. So let’s warmly congratulate and welcome Jeff!
Tuesdays from 1:00-2:00 p.m. GPC Sanctuary
Come join the jam sessions and learn how to work together to make a joyful sound unto the Lord!
Amplify is an endeavor of the GPC Special Needs Ministry to provide quality musical programming for the purpose of amplifying the voices, the hearts, and the witness of all for the glory of God. Content will include music literacy skills such as recognizing and playing eighth, quarter, half, and whole notes with their corresponding rests and musicianship involving responding as a member of an ensemble through singing, diction, and presentation. Classroom instruction interspersed with scheduled performances allow students and families to see the progress being accomplished. Class construction based on peer groups affords everyone a level playing field for learning and growth in an atmosphere of love and encouragement.
“GPC’s Friendship Circle exists to serve participants of the special needs community, to facilitate building God-like character through Bible study and creative outlets, and to help members develop sincere and lasting friendships.”
PARTICIPANTS MAY BE: Any individual with exceptional needs and their caregiver(s)
WHAT WE DO:
Enjoy lunchtime fellowship within a circle of friends.
Study character-building curriculum and
Engage in various creative activities.
WHEN: Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE:
In-person at Germantown Presbyterian Church’s Activity Center
Located at 2363 S. Germantown Road, Germantown, TN 38138
or online via Zoom
WHY:
Because GPC has chosen to embrace the special needs community as if they were embracing Jesus Himself!
Join us in Warren Hall for breakfast and fun with friends, once a quarter from 9:00-11:00 a.m.
2024-25 Dates: Fridays: August 16, November 1, February 14 (Valentine’s Day theme), May 16
Jackie Williams
Director of Special Needs Ministries