Special Needs VBS

First-Time Guests

Please complete our Special Needs Ministry Welcome Form so we can know how to best minister to your child and your family. This helps us prepare our team of leaders for when your child attends!

Special Needs Welcome Form

If you would like to plan a visit with us on a Sunday, please email specialneeds@thegladechurch.org and we would love to meet your family, hear about your needs, and prepare for your child to have the best experience!

Respite Rooms

Throughout The Glade Church facility (and at events), you will find Respite Rooms. These are spaces for families with special needs to step away and have a quiet spot. You are always welcome to one of our Respite Rooms if your child has sensory overload, emotional challenges, or needs to self-regulate without drawing attention or feeling restricted.

The Nook (near Apostolos, during Sunday Worship Gatherings)

The Nook is adjacent to the Apostolos Coffee Shop in the foyer outside the Worship Center. This space is reserved for families with special needs during the 9:15 or 10:45 Worship Gatherings. This room has a live feed of the worship service and a basket near the bookshelf with coloring books and sensory toys you are welcome to borrow.

Sensory Room (near Children's Ministry)

The Sensory Room is at the top of the stairs when entering Children's Ministry from the Kids Check-In area. The lighting is low, there's a trampoline, and a few seating options. This spot is always available during Children's programming.

Room 151 (near Middle School Ministry)

This classroom is a fun spot that's used for the Special Needs class on Sunday mornings and is also available as a Respite Room during Middle School programming.

Weekly Schedule

9:15am Sunday

Kids are welcome to join an age-level classroom in Preschool or Children's Ministry. We can discuss your child's needs to determine the best classroom fit. We have leaders who have a heart for all kids, and several who have specific vocational training for leading children with differing learning styles or disabilities.

At 9:15, we also have a class specifically for special needs students. This class includes activities and Bible teaching geared for kids with various learning needs, led by leaders who are experienced with special needs children. They meet in the Respite Room near "The District" where Middle School ministry takes place. We hope to engage your child in a healthy, safe, and sanctifying environment that fosters their love of Jesus.

Before attending class, please complete the welcome form so we can prepare for your child's needs upon arrival.

Special Needs Welcome Form

10:45am Sunday

We offer Kids programming during this Worship Gathering, but there is no Student ministry programming during the 10:45 Worship Gathering.

6:30pm Wednesday

Seasonally we offer Kids and Student programming on Wednesday evenings. Special Needs students have buddies in the Kids and Student Ministry worship services.

Family Worship Sundays

Whenever we have "Family Worship Sunday," that means there will be no age-level programming on Sunday morning and everyone is together in the Worship Gathering. These are a time when there is naturally more energy (and wiggling) in the room because we have all ages coming together. Families with special needs are always welcome to worship on a Family Worship Sunday, and although there won't be age-level classrooms or groups, the Respite Rooms are open and available for you!

Special Needs VBS

June 2, 2025 · 9:00 AM

Join us for a one-of-a-kind experience at our Special Needs VBS! At The Glade Church, we believe in creating a safe and sanctifying environment where everyone can grow spiritually, make friends, and have a blast.

With "Magnified" we will all learn more and celebrate how we ar emade to magnify God! This will be a fun VBS experience for families of special needs kids ages 8-18, but we've got limited spaces.

Special Needs VBS will take place at the same time as VBS for all kids at The Glade Church, but these friends will have their own space for VBS to enjoy the experience!

Register for VBS

Theme: Magnified!

🥫 Missions Offering

The missions offering we collect this week is for The Glade Church Food Pantry. There is no pressure for you to contribute to the missions offering -- but we wanted you to be aware of it. Kids can bring money or items down to the stage in the Worship Center when they arrive each morning or this can be given to the Special Needs VBS classroom leaders if that's better for your family.

🎶 VBS Music

You can play the VBS music for your kids at home or on the road. These songs are so catchy! Search for "VBS 2025" on Apple Music or Spotify. Which song is going to be the one stuck in your head for the next 3 months!!?

📣 Participant Info

ARRIVAL / CHECK-IN
Check-In each day will be 8:45-9am. Enter under the canopy through the glass doors from the big parking lot. The Worship Center doors will not open until 8:45 when the leader meeting concludes.

All participants need a name tag sticker and parent security tag for pick-up. We'll have leaders ready to receive our special needs friends and while some will totally jump in with the Worship Rally to start the day, others may prefer to have a calmer environment -- we're ready to work with you and your child's needs.

PICK-UP
We can communicate individually about how best to plan for pick-up each day. We want to include our Special Needs VBS participants in the Closing Rally as much as they are interested and able. We know this may be different for different kids.

Resources

Resources in Our Community

Blair Dunigan, IEP Advocate

Northwestern Mutual, Financial Planning

Mt. Juliet Police Department

Mt. Juliet Fire Department

Challenger Baseball League

Empower Me

ABA Centers

Vasek & Robbins, PLLC (Law Firm)

Free Resources from March 2025 Parent Info Expo

Presentation by Blair Dunigan, Attorney and IEP Advocate

Resources from Kaci and Jessica, Northwestern Mutual

Video: Kaci Fisher's Journey in Financial Planning for the Special Needs Community

Legal Planning Info from Vasek & Robbins Law Firm