Julie Clemens, director of disability ministries

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)

What a year it has been! Our hope has always been in Christ, but our hope has also been in anticipation of seeing each other in person. We did this because a number of the STARS are immunocompromised and made this decision for the group. Many of our STARS families lived in isolation, without day programs or activities to go to. Last spring, we were limited to parking lot events with dinners in parking spots and lawn chairs set up outside cars. We expanded our music camp to six weeks on Zoom to give more opportunities for the STARS to gather. Our Sunday morning classes started meeting in person last summer, and it was so good to see everyone! One challenge we’ve had this year is finding volunteers who were willing to serve. Some of our previous volunteers didn’t return. But the Lord is faithful, and he knows our needs better than we do. Sunday morning superintendents Dorothy Nicholson and Lin Fallon rallied the troops, and we now have wonderful volunteers who serve beautifully by coming alongside the STARS. Kathy Brinker has led the younger STARS well. Over the course of the last year, they have met via Zoom and in person to help engage more students in study of God’s Word and in prayer.

Kristin Visconti leads STARS Choir and Praise in Action beautifully. We began meeting for both programs in the fall and the STARS were thrilled to take part in the STARS Christmas program. Over the last two years, we had families who have either moved out of state or are still at too great of a risk to meet in person. In the past, those STARS would’ve been left out, but thanks to technology, they have been able to join us. They were even incorporated into the Christmas program and will also take part in STARS Ministry Sunday.

Respite has always been a need for families affected by disability. Caring for a loved one is hard, and it doesn’t always stop when they go to sleep, or even at age 18 when other kids are going onto college or new and exciting jobs. Kathy Brinker heads up Buddy Break and has given parents the evening off while she and volunteers come alongside and care for their STARS and younger siblings. Beth Gunther leads Friday Night Fun and gathers teen through adult STARS. These two programs occur on the same evening and have themes.

I’m so pleased that these women and their volunteers don’t just baby-sit these kids, they engage them in purposeful activity and teach them about God’s Word. We are the hands and feet of Jesus on these nights.

We recently received exciting news about STARS membership from the Council. Up until now, STARS were only allowed to apply for associate membership. In April, the Council of Elders unanimously approved that STARS who have expressed full faith in Jesus, can apply for full membership of College Church. Our prayer is that we all see the STARS as our Lord sees them, fully gifted brothers and sisters in Christ.

Finally, the Run for the STARS committee has been meeting and race registrations are rolling in. We are so excited that the race is in person this year! Last year we had to have another year of virtual runs and had just over 300 runners. Again, the Lord reminded me of his faithfulness with our final proceeds coming in at around $45,000. I want to encourage you, to join us for this event. Whether you volunteer or run, it’s a day that College Church can come around STARS families and encourage them that they are loved and they are not alone.