“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
- 1 Corinthians 12:26
Disability Ministry
For the past 10 years, Riverbend Community Church has hosted Night to Shine in the Lehigh Valley to demonstrate God’s love to individuals with Special Needs and their families. Our desire, was never to stop at a one-night event but to “shine on” year-round supporting, loving, and walking alongside individuals with disabilities and their families.
Beginning in 2023, our church rolled out a Disability Ministry focusing first on the current needs in our church (Autism, ADHD, sensory sensitivities, et.al).
As new families attend, we are committed to making our church as a whole more accommodating to those in our community with different disabilities and unique needs.
However, our goal is not to only provide accommodations. Our ultimate goal is that every family and individual feels welcomed, loved, and included. We continue to look for ways to remove barriers and build ramps (both literally and figuratively) while also developing way to grow and support belonging and community.
We would love to have you join us Sunday mornings - we welcome all ages, all abilities, sensory seeking, and stimming. Below are some of the inclusive offerings we have available every Sunday.
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Sensory Friendly Spaces
Called “The Family Room,” this inclusive sensory friendly space is available to anyone who needs it. The room is equipped with couches, fidgets, proprioceptive and sensory items. On Sundays, the church service is live streamed in the room offering an alternative space to worship with us for individuals and families that need space to stim, rest, sensory seek, or just sit in a comfy chair.
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Accessible Church
Our current church facility is wheelchair accessible throughout the main floor of the building which includes the large gathering space, lobby, children’s ministry, cafe, accessible bathrooms, and Family Room. A chair lift is available to access the lower levels of the church - and we are currently working on getting the building updated to 100% wheelchair accessibility.
*NEW* We now have hearing assist devices available at the sound booth for anyone who needs help hearing the sermon. While we do have some earbuds available - we recommend bringing your own for the most comfort.
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Inclusion
Both Sunday services are inclusive. While we offer the Sensory Room space during the service - we are also happy to have you and your family in the service as well. We offer portable sensory bins above the coat rack in the lobby that can be taken and used anywhere in our space (including services) as needed. These bins have headphones, weighted lap pads, and assorted fidgets.
Our Foundations Kid’s Ministry is also an inclusive Sunday School with a “floater” buddy program compromised of volunteers with specific experience and/or training to support the children with specials needs in the classes Sunday Mornings. More information about our inclusive Sunday School can be found below.
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Accommodations
At Riverbend, we recognize that every individual is uniquely and wonderfully made. We are always looking to grow and be more welcoming to anyone and everyone.
If there is an accommodation you or your loved one needs to make our church more accessible, please let us know!
Additionally, we understand that visiting a new place can be challenging. If you would like to visit our space beforehand for yourself or your child in a quieter less crowded setting, feel free to contact our Disability Ministry Coordinator, Lisa Jones to set up a time to visit.
email: lisa@riverbendonline.org
BEYOND ACCOMODATIONS - 2026 GOALS
This year, in addition to always supporting the unique needs of the attending families and individuals, we are also looking for ways to promote belonging and community for them.
FAMILY INPUT SESSION - APRIL 19th
Join us in-person between services in the Family Room (10:15-11:00 AM) or via Zoom at 7:30 PM (sign ups coming soon)
This forum discussion will allow us to hear from families with disabilities attending the church about how we can better support them, foster community, and what programs they would like to see.
THE FAMILY ROOM CHAT
(Coming April) we will be rolling out a private chatroom for families with disabilities at Riverbend to connect, pray for one another, ask for advice, celebrate victories, plan hangouts/playdates/events, etc.
MONTHLY AND QUARTERLY EVENTS
(Starting Summer 2026 - come back soon for more details)
Riverbend is committed to making our church as a whole and our Foundations Children’s Program more accommodating to those in our community with disabilities and special needs. A combination of online and in-person practical and theological training was created in-house for volunteers to learn more about God’s heart for neurodiversity and individuals with disabilities; how to practically engage and love kids of all abilities where they are at. At the end of February 2024, Riverbend hosted a training led by the behavioral health services team from Glen and Koch Associates to help our volunteers learn more about Autism, ADHD and Sensory Differences and how to serve the children in our care.
Riverbend currently has a floater buddy program in our Foundations Children’s Programs. Buddies are trained volunteers who are available to specially assist and care for children with special needs in the classroom. Both River Rocks classroom have fidgets and sensory items to crash into or lay down on if needed - there is also a quiet space in the kids area outside of the classrooms with soft seating and sensory items.
At Riverbend, we recognize that every child is uniquely and wonderfully made. We would love to get to know you and your child better- and make the environment at Foundations accessible to all kids.
If you are interested in your child attending our Foundations program, please consider filling out a “child profile” form or reaching out to our Disability Ministry Coordinator, Lisa Jones, so we can learn how to best serve your child!
Inclusive Sunday School
Volunteer
Volunteer
Riverbend is always looking for volunteers to serve either in the church as a Floater Buddy on the Foundations Team, or as a Greeter for the Family Room on the Impressions Team. Additionally, our Night-to-Shine team is always looking for volunteers to fill one of the MANY different rolls.