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Friendship Ministry caters to those with developmental disablities

Program features music, skits and scripture.

Participants in the Westwood Presbyterian Church Friendship Ministry in Hamilton celebrated at a graduation ceremony earlier this year. The group, which caters to adults with developmental disabilities, meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sundays.

Contributed photo Participants in the Westwood Presbyterian Church Friendship Ministry in Hamilton celebrated at a graduation ceremony earlier this year. The group, which caters to adults with developmental disabilities, meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sundays.

ENLARGE PHOTO

By Peggy McCracken, Staff Writer 2:09 AM Friday, September 11, 2009

HAMILTON — At Westwood Presbyterian Church all are welcome. And they mean it.

While area churches endeavor to reach out to the community, one group of people is often forgotten — those with developmental disabilities. Andrea Estridge, a Westwood elder, decided to change that earlier this year.

Since March, the church has offered the Friendship Ministry, a special Bible study. Estridge said traditional adult Sunday school classes and children’s materials often are not satisfactory for their needs, being either too complex or too simple. The goal is not to replace worship services, but to offer an opportunity to learn.

“Why should these individuals be left out because they have cognitive delays?” said Estridge.

The group, which meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sundays, includes Estridge’s daughter Summer and others, ranging in age from 24 to late 50s. The program, which pairs mentors with participants, includes music and skits as well as scripture.

Music has proven very popular with participants who recently worked with handbells and are anxious to bring their favorite hymns to the gatherings. Their excitement at learning and acceptance is not lost on the volunteers.

“There’s not a night someone doesn’t tear up because they see the progress someone is making,” Estridge said.

The international, inter-denominational Friendship Ministry was started more than 25 years ago. According to its Web site, www.friendship.org: “Our church is complete only when it includes all of God’s children and when all people are seen as equals — in God’s eyes and in our own eyes.” That’s a message the Westwood congregation has taken to heart.

For more information, call the church at (937) 868-6011.

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