Worship for All
Special Needs Ministry at Wildwood
At Wildwood, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to worship, belong, grow, and experience the love of Christ in a way that meets their individual needs.
Worship for All is Wildwood’s special needs ministry, created to provide welcoming, supportive, and accessible opportunities for individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and their families.
Our hope is to create spaces where families feel supported, individuals are valued for who they are, and everyone has the opportunity to participate in the life of the church.
Worship for All is Wildwood’s special needs ministry, created to provide welcoming, supportive, and accessible opportunities for individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and their families.
Our hope is to create spaces where families feel supported, individuals are valued for who they are, and everyone has the opportunity to participate in the life of the church.
Neuro-Family Worship
Our Neuro-Family Worship Service is a relaxed, sensory-friendly worship experience designed especially for individuals and families who may find a traditional worship environment challenging.
Services are typically held on the third Sunday of the month at 4:00 p.m. in Hayley Hall.
The service is intentionally flexible and welcoming. Participants are free to move, make noise, use sensory tools, take breaks, or engage in worship in the way that feels most comfortable for them.
Each service includes:
Families are welcome to come as they are. There is no expectation that anyone sit still, remain quiet, or participate in a particular way.
Come worship with us in a space where everyone is welcome and every person belongs.
Services are typically held on the third Sunday of the month at 4:00 p.m. in Hayley Hall.
The service is intentionally flexible and welcoming. Participants are free to move, make noise, use sensory tools, take breaks, or engage in worship in the way that feels most comfortable for them.
Each service includes:
- Worship music
- Scripture and a short message
- Prayer
- Holy Communion
- Visual and sensory supports
- Opportunities for movement and participation
- A relaxed, judgment-free environment
Families are welcome to come as they are. There is no expectation that anyone sit still, remain quiet, or participate in a particular way.
Come worship with us in a space where everyone is welcome and every person belongs.
Sunday Buddy Program
Beginning September 20, Worship for All will launch our Sunday Buddy Program during the 11:15 a.m. worship service.
The Sunday Buddy Program provides additional one-on-one support for children who may benefit from having a caring volunteer alongside them during their Sunday morning experience.
A Sunday Buddy may help a child:
Our goal is not to separate children from their peers, but to provide the individual support they may need so they can participate as fully as possible.
The Sunday Buddy Program provides additional one-on-one support for children who may benefit from having a caring volunteer alongside them during their Sunday morning experience.
A Sunday Buddy may help a child:
- Navigate the church environment
- Participate in worship or age-level programming
- Use sensory tools or take breaks when needed
- Transition between activities
- Feel safe, supported, and included
- Build relationships within their church community
Our goal is not to separate children from their peers, but to provide the individual support they may need so they can participate as fully as possible.
How It Works
Families interested in the Sunday Buddy Program will be asked to share information about their child, including strengths, needs, communication preferences, sensory considerations, and anything else that may help us provide the best possible support.
Our Worship for All team will then work to connect the child with a trained Sunday Buddy.
The program will initially be available during the 11:15 a.m. service, with plans to expand to both Sunday morning worship services in the new year.
Families interested in the Sunday Buddy Program will be asked to share information about their child, including strengths, needs, communication preferences, sensory considerations, and anything else that may help us provide the best possible support.
Our Worship for All team will then work to connect the child with a trained Sunday Buddy.
The program will initially be available during the 11:15 a.m. service, with plans to expand to both Sunday morning worship services in the new year.
Interested in a Buddy?
If your child could benefit from additional support on Sunday mornings, we would love to have your family be part of our Sunday Buddy Program, launching September 20 during the 11:15 a.m. service.
Families will complete a short information form that will help our Worship for All team learn about your child's strengths, needs, communication preferences, sensory considerations, and how we can best support them on Sunday mornings.
Family registration is coming soon! A link to request a Sunday Buddy will be available here shortly.
Sunday Buddy Family Registration – Coming Soon
If your child could benefit from additional support on Sunday mornings, we would love to have your family be part of our Sunday Buddy Program, launching September 20 during the 11:15 a.m. service.
Families will complete a short information form that will help our Worship for All team learn about your child's strengths, needs, communication preferences, sensory considerations, and how we can best support them on Sunday mornings.
Family registration is coming soon! A link to request a Sunday Buddy will be available here shortly.
Sunday Buddy Family Registration – Coming Soon
Become a Sunday Buddy
Want to help create a place where every child knows they belong? Consider becoming a Sunday Buddy!
You do not need to be a special education teacher or have professional experience working with individuals with disabilities. We are looking for caring and dependable volunteers who are willing to build relationships, learn, and walk alongside a child on Sunday mornings.
Training, resources, and ongoing support will be provided to all Sunday Buddies.
Volunteer sign-ups are coming soon! A link to join our Sunday Buddy team will be available here shortly.
Sunday Buddy Volunteer Sign-Up – Coming Soon
Want to help create a place where every child knows they belong? Consider becoming a Sunday Buddy!
You do not need to be a special education teacher or have professional experience working with individuals with disabilities. We are looking for caring and dependable volunteers who are willing to build relationships, learn, and walk alongside a child on Sunday mornings.
Training, resources, and ongoing support will be provided to all Sunday Buddies.
Volunteer sign-ups are coming soon! A link to join our Sunday Buddy team will be available here shortly.
Sunday Buddy Volunteer Sign-Up – Coming Soon
A Place to Belong
Worship for All is continuing to grow, and these are only the beginning steps of this ministry.
Whether through Neuro-Family Worship, the Sunday Buddy Program, or future opportunities, our desire is for individuals and families to know:
You are welcome here.
You are valued here.
You belong here.
For questions about Worship for All or to learn more about getting involved, Rev. Jessica McMullen.
Worship for All is continuing to grow, and these are only the beginning steps of this ministry.
Whether through Neuro-Family Worship, the Sunday Buddy Program, or future opportunities, our desire is for individuals and families to know:
You are welcome here.
You are valued here.
You belong here.
For questions about Worship for All or to learn more about getting involved, Rev. Jessica McMullen.
A Place to Belong
Worship for All is continuing to grow, and these are only the beginning steps of this ministry.
Whether through Neuro-Family Worship, the Sunday Buddy Program, or future opportunities, our desire is for individuals and families to know:
You are welcome here.
You are valued here.
You belong here.
For questions about Worship for All or to learn more about getting involved, Rev. Jessica McMullen.
Worship for All is continuing to grow, and these are only the beginning steps of this ministry.
Whether through Neuro-Family Worship, the Sunday Buddy Program, or future opportunities, our desire is for individuals and families to know:
You are welcome here.
You are valued here.
You belong here.
For questions about Worship for All or to learn more about getting involved, Rev. Jessica McMullen.