Special Gathering

At Celebrations Café

Rummaging through the people who gather in the fellowship hall for Celebrations Café each Sunday morning are the 50 to 60 members of the Special Gathering (SpG).

We are a ministry within the mentally challenged community that meets at First Church each week. Often church members need to dodge wheelchairs, walkers and wobbly people as the SpG members venture into the Café for a fellowship time.

Each week it seems, SpG members are able to make new friends from First Church. A young family has offered to help with the set up of the gym. With bright eyes and eager faces, the three children help with the detail work that turns the bare gym into our worship sanctuary. A smiling grandmother with black hair comes over each week, just to say, "Hi" to several of the Special Gathering members. Their conversation has become more animated as the grandmother and our members have gotten to know each other.

For persons with disabilities, there are few things that mean as much to us as being included in the community. That is even more true when speaking about the Christian community. As you see us moving from the gym to the Cafe, venture a smile and a hello to the wobbly person navigating ahead or behind you. You may be blessed and I know we will be blessed.

Linda Howard, Pastor

Vist the new Special Gathering Website/Blog for great articles and insight into the Ministry

 

Special Gathering of Indian River Melbourne & Vero Beach, Florida

A ministry dedicated to sharing the good news within the mentally challenged community in South Brevard & Indian River Counties.

Buses carrying people who are mentally challenged pull up to the church building. Other members are unloaded from cars and vans; then they head for the double doors that lead to the fellowship hall where Bible study classes will be held.

Each Sunday morning First United Methodist Church of Melbourne, Florida, hosts a unique congregation of worshipers called The Special Gathering. Sponsored by more than 30 churches in South Brevard and Indian River Counties from various denominations, The Special Gathering has seen significant growth this past year. The size has increased but, more important, they have grown in spiritual maturity.

The deacons, elected from the membership, pray for their peers. The choir helps to lead praise and worship. The ushers welcome visitors. They collect, count, and verify the offering. In addition, Joey maneuvers Chrissy's wheel chair into the elevator to the chapel room where their corporate worship is held. Jimmy helps positions Beth's walker and Margaret holds Ben's chocolate cookies snack. They are the church serving and preferring each other.

Special Gathering of South Brevard meets each Sunday morning at 10 am at 110 E New Haven Avenue. Call (321) 773-2691

Special Gathering of Vero Beach meets Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Vero at 11105 58th Avenue (First Church of God) at the Southeast entrance. Call (561) 770-1011

 

For information, write area director, Linda Howard, Special Gathering, P. O. Box 6002, Vero Beach, FL 32961.
Or contact lhoward@specialgatherings.com.

Visit these sites for more info as well:
http://specialgathering.wordpress.com/
http://www.nbbd.com/npr/specialgathering/
http://www.nbbd.com/npr/specialgathering/sbrevard.html