Julie Clemens

Director of Disability Ministries

Our first major event in the summer of 2019 was Run for the STARS. It is a sweet event, where you can literally see families of College Church surround STARS families. It is more than a way of supporting STARS families. The physical presence of College Church members says, “We are glad you are here, and we want you here!” Proceeds from Run for the STARS supports families in STARS ministry with summer camp costs, and it supports a fall retreat for our adult STARS. In addition, it helps pay for job coaching for STARS Family Services while our STARS work at Twice is Nice and the STARS Resale Shop. Without your support of this event, these things would not be possible. Please be sure to see how you can help with this year’s Run for the STARS. As I write this report, we are uncertain if the run can go on this year. I appreciate your prayers regarding this.

The biggest change in the ministry is the change of classroom space. While this doesn’t sound like a big deal, it has been for the STARS and our volunteers. Our 9:30 and 11 a.m. superintendents, Dorothy Nicholson and Lin Fallon, would agree. Our classrooms have grown over the years, but it became a very good problem. The spaces weren’t big enough to accommodate our growing classes. Our adult and teen classes now meet in the former HYACKs room. The large classroom is divided for each class. Most of our STARS who come on Sunday mornings know each other well from the music and respite programs we have. So, on holidays, when attendance is smaller, we join in as one group together! With the larger space, we also have large screen televisions that we use to help lead worship and present videos that tell the Bible stories we talk about every week. The STARS benefit when we use multiple ways of presenting the material. So instead of just telling the story, we read it, we watch it, we use visuals, we sing about it (or about the concepts we’ve learned), and sometimes we even use sign language to help us remember. Some of our friends really benefit from sensory space—that means to have space to walk or to move. These classrooms have really helped everyone feel more comfortable while also being together.

Our Praise in Action and STARS Choir music programs continue to grow and the STARS’ abilities have grown under the leadership of Kristin Visconti. It is a wonderful thing to see a quiet confidence grow as we see the gifts God has given them on display. Beth Gunther continues beautifully as our ministry associate for respite, welcoming STARS for monthly Friday Night Fun and Hangin’ with a STAR. Finally, Kathy Brinker has joined us on staff, replacing the recently retired Shelley Swanson. Kathy’s expertise as a professional and as a STARS parent helps our parents feel welcomed, and helps set our young STARS up for success.

In these uncertain times, we’ve been reaching out and connecting our families through virtual Sunday school and small groups through Zoom. We are reminding them that Christ is always with them.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

“Our classrooms have grown over the years, but it became a very good problem. The spaces weren’t big enough to accommodate our growing classes. Our adult and teen classes now meet in the former HYACKs room.”