Brighton, MI

There's a new ministry at Chilson Hills Church, the purpose of which is to reach out to and include those who have disabilities. Zachariah's Way, which makes worship friendly to and inclusive of people with disabilities, will have its first official outreach service 7:15 p.m. Saturday. In addition to providing such services, Zachariah's Way also hopes to promote outreach and other services for the disabled.

The ministry as a whole began by a couple from the south, Kyle and Katie Emerson, and parents David and Lee Glover. Kyle and Katie's son Zachariah was disabled, and his grandparents developed the program as a means to develop programs and outreach for him. That is the program after which Sally and Richard Marshall are modeling theirs at Chilson Hills, in Genoa Township.

Sally Marshall, of Brighton Township and a member of Chilson Hills, explained that the reason they started the ministry is because she has two children with disabilities. They joined Chilson Hills a few years ago, and felt very welcomed and happy there, she said.

She talked to other families with children who have disabilities and found that some were looking to make good connections or for more services. "People with disabilities may or may not have unique needs," she said.

            She has organized one preliminary service, and eventually wants to have as many as four per year.

She explained that the services are particularly welcoming for those with disabilities, not for them exclusively. They try to offer what people with disabilities might need, such as for physical or cognitive needs, and to have assistance on hand should that be required. To make the service more welcoming to people with disabilities, they will have more music and a shorter sermon, Marshall said. She said the direction of the programs would be guided by the people with disabilities.

She wants to create an environment for disabled people that is comfortable. "The main purpose is to acquaint them with the love of the Lord and doing that in a meaningful way," she said.

Call Chilson Hills Church at (810) 227-9596 and leave a message for Sally Marshall.

According to the Web site www.zachariahsway.com, the organization enables churches to become more involved in ministering to people with disabilities and their families by providing information, resources and networking. The four primary principles are to inform average people about people with disabilities and their families, enable average people to minister to people with disabilities, facilitate the growth of inclusive ministry programs, and empower people with disabilities to find needed resources.