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Original Campus

  2655 S. Mason Road, Katy, TX 77450
  (281) 646-1903   (281) 646-1903

8:45am & 10:45am
Contemporary Worship

Held in the Worship Center

10:45am
Traditional Worship

Held in the Mansion Vista

North Campus

  19407 Park Row, Suite 180, Houston, TX 77084
  (281) 646-1903
  (281) 646-1903

9am Servicio en Español
Contemporáneo Adoración

Celebrado en el Campus Norte

10:45am English
Contemporary Worship

Held at North Campus

Special Needs

The Bridge - Connecting Families to the Church

If your child has a special need, please contact us prior to your visit so we can know about your child and prepare our staff to welcome them!  We will then place your child in one of our Bridge classes based on age and ability.

 

The Bridge logoWhat is The Bridge? 

The Bridge is the Special Needs Ministry at Grace Fellowship UMC for children, teens, and young adults. Participants in The Bridge learn about God in a nurturing and safe environment.

Currently over 65 individuals ages 2 through 31 years of age are served through this special needs ministry.

Sunday Morning

Our Sunday morning program provides care during the 8:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. morning services. Each of our participants are placed in one of our special needs classes based on age and ability. The Bridge classes are held in the Children's Education Building and Epicenter.

Respite Nights

In addition to Sunday morning, regular respite nights are offered for our members and regular attenders.

Family Support

In addition to caring for the special needs individual, we support families through two small groups for parents raising children/teens/young adults with special needs.

Bridge Dads meet from 5-7pm every Sunday.

Bridge Moms meet in the morning on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

Mission Statement

The Bridge exists to love and serve Jesus Christ by making it possible for individuals with special needs and their families to fully participate in the church community of Grace Fellowship UMC as it seeks to be a House of Prayer for All Nations.

"The Bridge - Connecting Families to the Church"

Check out how The Bridge Special Needs Ministry is impacting the lives of families

Our Intake Process

Prior to attending Sunday morning, we ask that parents contact the Special Needs Director, Karen Lopes, to receive an intake packet and other information about our ministry. These documents help us gather important information about your loved one so that we can better understand their needs and find the right class for them. All intake forms must be completed and turned in prior to attending on Sunday morning. Part of our intake paperwork includes a Medical Release form which must be notarized. Contact with the Special Needs Director prior to attending is encouraged.

Bridge Eligibility

In order to provide the best environment for each individual to grow in their faith, every prospective Bridge participant must meet the following criteria. With this in mind, a case by case decision will be made based on a participant’s medical, emotional, and behavioral needs.

The criteria is as follows:
  • Does not require isolation from the rest of population at The Bridge
  • Must not be aggressive or pose a threat to themselves, or others; or have such severe medical/emotional needs which require specialized care. (*)

(*)The Bridge ministry defines aggressive behavior as behavior that is forceful, hostile verbally/ physically.

If you would like, you can sign up to tour our Bridge area before attending, located in the Children's Education Building. Please contact Karen Lopes at klopes@whatisgrace.org to set up a time.

Opportunities for Involvement

Sunday Mornings Nursery and Children

Bridge volunteers accompany our children during Sunday morning in our Bridge Nursery, Bridge Toddler, and Bridge Elementary areas. Each of our Bridge participants are involved in worship and Bible lesson time in a way that is most appropriate for them to learn about God's love for them during our 8:45 and 10:45am services.  In order to best meet your child's needs, we ask that you contact us prior to visiting Grace Fellowship on a Sunday morning. This will help us gather information in order to place your child in the appropriate class with volunteers who will help to support their needs throughout their stay. Please contact our Special Needs Ministry at 281-646-1903 for more information.

Sunday Mornings and Evenings Youth/Adults

Bridge volunteers accompany special needs youth to AM Rush (Junior High Sunday morning service) for worship, teaching and fellowship. We also have a Bridge Adult Special Needs room. This area is for those 18 years of age and above.

Respite Night

This is a quarterly event that allows the parents of special needs children a three-hour break to go to dinner, a movie, or a just a much needed break.  Drop-off is at 5pm and pick up is at 8pm on a Saturday evening.  The kids are each assigned a buddy to be with them and enjoy craft time, pizza, movie and playground time! This event requires an RSVP to ensure we have a buddy for each child. Watch the Event Calendar for dates!

 

Upcoming Bridge Events

View Calendar