Fellowship Hall
Feature Stories Serving Locally Wonderful things happen when 'Friends' get together
Wonderful things happen when ‘Friends’ get togetherUnique ministry for those with cognitive disabilities  David, one of the 'Friends,' plays recorder during a Friendship Sunday worship services. By Marian den Boer At Friendship Groups you find simple, joyful, childlike Christianity. Every week, adults with cognitive challenges or “friends” and their mentors meet to share the fullness of God’s love through songs, Bible stories, games and crafts. A group of 35 friends and 20 volunteer mentors meet Wednesdays at Burlington Christian Reformed Church on New Street. This is just one of eight such groups in the Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton area. Like most Friendship groups, they begin each meeting with confession of faith through whole-hearted worship, singing action songs such as God is So Good, The More We Get Together, The Lord is My Shepherd, His Banner Over Me is Love, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, and Come into My Heart Lord Jesus. Richard Simmelink, who with his wife, Lurdes, heads the Burlington group likes worshipping with the friends the best. It’s joyful uninhibited worship. Friends and mentors alike sing from their hearts, never mind if they are off key or out of tune or behind with the signing actions. This heartfelt worship is one of the reasons ‘Friendship Sunday’ has become a highlight at Burlington Christian Reformed Church. Once a year, neighbouring Friendship groups are invited to the Sunday morning service, and the congregation joyfully joins the “friends” in unrestrained worship. At the Wednesday evening meeting, reciting the verse of the year is definitely a highlight. This year the Burlington group is memorizing Psalm 96:2: “Sing to the Lord, praise His name, tell of His salvation from day to day.” As friend after friend reads or is prompted through the verse, there are grins of accomplishment and exuberant applause. By April, just about everybody will be able to say and sign the entire verse from memory. Richard says the excitement mounts as the year progresses. Thirty minutes of worship is followed by a Bible story. At the first meeting of the year, volunteer Yoka DeHaan, using a flannel board and props, enthusiastically tells the story of Ester. Everyone is very attentive as Yoka becomes Queen Ester. She mistakenly stacks two crowns on her head to designate monarchy. “You have two hats,” shouts out one of the friends. Everyone laughs as the second crown comes off. Then the audience groans as Yoka reveals Haman’s wicked plan to kill those who don’t bow down to the king. As each detail of the story unfolds the attentive audience contributes with, “Oh, Oh, Oh,” “That’s not nice” and “Yes I agree.” Yoka ends the story as the king concedes, “Your people should be free.” The audience applauds and it’s time for cookies, squares, juice, coffee and to sing Happy Birthday to a friend. Then friends and mentors pair up to do a lesson paper and craft which reinforces the Bible story.  'Friends' Pierre (left) and Henry (right) with their mentor Bernie during the Bible study portion of their weekly 'Friendship Group' meeting at Flamborough's Calvary Christian Reformed Church. What do participants like about Friendship Group? There is a common theme. Yoka likes seeing the change in the friends. She notes that after several weeks of attending Friendship Group, “all they want to do is talk about Jesus.” Dorothy Plas, who ran the group with her friend Auke Wierenga for 20 years before the pair passed the reigns to the Simmelinks this year, says, “It’s an amazing ministry. It makes me happy to see the friends grow.” According to Vanessa, one of the ‘friends,’ “I like to learn about Jesus.” Adam, another friend, likes to listen to God’s story. He likes to do crafts and he likes the Lord’s Prayer. Chris particularly enjoys singing songs and crafts that allow him to learn more about Jesus. Friends come from area group homes in group home vans, and are attended by responsible group home staff members who are served coffee and snacks during the evening in appreciation of their role. Two years ago there were up to 65 friends coming to the Burlington site every week. The size of the group was becoming unmanageable so half the friends formed a new group at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Waterdown. Volunteers or mentors come back year after year because “everybody fits,” explains Dorothy. “They are here because they want to be. We don’t force anyone to do anything.” Some sign up to tell a story, some want kitchen duty and some do the music. Lessons are kept simple, but not juvenile. The friends generally let it be known they don’t appreciate being treated as children. Friends also come with a range of skill levels. “We don’t turn anyone away,” says Dorothy. Another group, patterned on Friendship Groups, meets once a month at West Highland Baptist Church in Hamilton. Daniel and Lauri Barrette along with a team of volunteers run Overcomers’ Worship Hour, a Sunday School class offer-ed to adults with developmental disabilities. Daniel is a quadriplegic who works as a missionary with Hamilton’s BCM (Bible-Centred Ministries). Overcomers’ ministers to 8 to 12 persons with disabilities, mostly from Christian Horizons’ homes.  Daniel and Lauri Barrette provide the 'Overcomers' ministry through Hamilton-based BCM (Bible-Centred Ministries) They have a time of worship, Bible exploration, a craft, snacks and social time. The Bible story is always taught in a very concrete way with lots of props. “We make Christ accessible,” says Daniel. Friendship Groups Canada (FGC) is an organization formed to provide individual groups with support, training and resources. This umbrella organization espouses that everyone is created in God’s image and deserves an opportunity to learn about God’s love. Redemption is viewed as a gift from God, not dependent on any level of human intellect. As well, everyone should have the opportunity to become active members in a church. Meta Shamrock, executive director of FGC, leads workshops and responds to concerns. She also is available to train volunteers and church leaders who want to start a Friendship Group in their community, and can be reached at 888-649-5555 or through the organization’s website: www.friendshipgroupscanada.org. To find out more about Friendship Groups or Overcomers’, and the services they offer for those with cognitive disabilities, please contact any of the following church offices: Friendship Groups |
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