2 minute read
Reaching Out to the Neurodiverse
For many people, places of worship, the liturgy we use, how we express fellowship and how we use the opportunities we have to serve in the community as Christ’s servants are hard to join in with.
As part of Rhondda Ministry Area’s journey to inclusiveness, the team are looking at how they can reach out to the neurodiverse within the community.
As the parents of an autistic child, Rev’d Phillip Leyshon and wife Hannah understand the need for adjustments to be made in the churches that would help the church family think about ways in which they could adapt worship spaces and create forms of liturgy that speak to and support the neurodiverse community.
The ministry team began this journey in 2019 (before the pandemic) in the former Upper Rhondda Ministry Area. At a meeting of the Ystradyfodwg PCC (St. John’s, Ton Pentre & St. Peter’s, Pentre) they examined the ways in which they could reach out to the neurodiverse community, providing opportunities for worship, and for the creation of a social group which would help provide a meeting place where fellowship and fun could be enjoyed.
“Hannah and I understand the need for adjustments to be made in our churches that would help the church family think about ways in which we could adapt our worship spaces and creative forms of worship. After all, everyone should know they are welcomed and loved in Jesus,” said Fr Phillip.
Work is now beginning on assessing our church buildings, coming together to share learn from and learn good practice across the Church in Wales, and beyond, and to investigate the possibility of creating social groups during school holidays, after school, to provide support for families where there are additional learning needs.
Fr Phillip asks, "Please keep our work in your prayers as we keep your work in ours."
