We’re Writing a Book for Special Needs Ministry Volunteers

by JoleneJul 18, 2013Every Child Welcome, Products15 comments

Katie Wetherbee & I signed a book contract. It will be will be jam-packed with practical and doable inclusion strategies special needs ministry volunteers.

Yup, you read that right. Another book for the special needs community is in the works. Co-author Katie Wetherbee and I signed a book contract with Kregel Publications. The book is tentatively titled Every Child Welcome: A Menu of Strategies for Including Kids with Special Needs at Church. Now that you know the basic details, would you join Katie and me as we do our happy dance?

Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance!

What the Book Timeline?

I can’t speak for you or Katie, but my happy dance left me feeling energized. Which is a good thing because Katie and I need to roll up our sleeves and get to work on the new book…just as soon as the manuscript for my other project, The Caregiver’s Notebook, goes to Discovery House on September 1. Once that’s done, Katie and I will be hard at work to meet Kregel’s April 1, 2014 deadline for the Every Child Welcome manuscript. They haven’t set a publication date, but rest assured we’ll be announcing that date once it’s in place.

What’s In the Book?

Every Child Welcome is geared for volunteers who work with children’s ministry. It will be jam-packed with practical and doable inclusion strategies children’s ministry volunteers can implement so every child feels welcome. The book will include strategies to help volunteers:

Prepare ahead of time
When children arrive
Before, during, and after lessons and activities
Reinforce concepts at home
Keep kids safe
Communicate with parents
Find resources

Now that you are in the know, Katie and I are ready for another happy dance. Feel free to join us.

Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance! Happy Dance!

What Would You Like to See in the Book?

Are you a children’s ministry volunteer? What do you want to see in the book? Your suggestions will be considered, so please leave a comment!

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Photo credit: www.freedigitalphotos.net

By Jolene

Jolene Philo is the author of several books for the caregiving community. She speaks at parenting and special needs conferences around the country. Sharing Love Abundantly With Special Needs Families: The 5 Love Languages® for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities, which she co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman, was released in August of 2019 and is available at local bookstores, their bookstore website, and Amazon. See Jane Sing!, the second book in the West River cozy mystery series, which features characters affected by disability, was released in November of 2022.

15 Comments

Jolene on October 4, 2014 at 2:28 pm

Hi Michelle,

How nice to hear from you and for your feedback. You’ll be glad to know that all your suggestions have already been incorporated. First, the book is non-denominational and the strategies can be used in any setting. Second, the sub-title is being changed and will no longer contain the word “menu.” Third, the graphic on this post will not be the cover of the book. Katie and I have seen a first draft, which will feature kids. The final draft should be coming soon, and DifferentDream.com will feature a post showing it off soon after that happens.

Thanks again,
Jolene
Michelle Picard on October 4, 2014 at 7:28 am

I love the concept of what you are doing. I am Catholic , I hope all Christians will be able to utilize it. Teaching strategies are that. I personally don’t like the word Menu in title or the cooks on cover. It is so much more important . Strategies is important in the title and maybe a sensory approach to teaching pictured between child and educator on cover
Michelle Picard on October 4, 2014 at 7:28 am

I love the concept of what you are doing. I am Catholic , I hope all Christians will be able to utilize it. Teaching strategies are that. I personally don’t like the word Menu in title or the cooks on cover. It is so much more important . Strategies is important in the title and maybe a sensory approach to teaching pictured between child and educator on cover
Jolene on July 23, 2013 at 10:07 am

Thank you, Cindi!
Jolene on July 23, 2013 at 10:07 am

Thank you, Cindi!
Jolene on July 23, 2013 at 10:06 am

Hi Kim,

Thanks for your vote of confidence. I would love to speak to the Sunday school teacher you assist. And thank you for making a difference in your son’s life and the lives of other kids with special needs.
Jolene on July 23, 2013 at 10:06 am

Hi Kim,

Thanks for your vote of confidence. I would love to speak to the Sunday school teacher you assist. And thank you for making a difference in your son’s life and the lives of other kids with special needs.
Jolene on July 23, 2013 at 10:05 am

Thank you, Ruth. Katie and I are excited to be able to use our educational experience to help dedicated church volunteers who want to know how to make kids with special needs comfortable in their programs.
Jolene on July 23, 2013 at 10:05 am

Thank you, Ruth. Katie and I are excited to be able to use our educational experience to help dedicated church volunteers who want to know how to make kids with special needs comfortable in their programs.
Ruth Stieff on July 20, 2013 at 10:07 am

Jolene: This is great! When I go and volunteer at Joni & Friends I hear what I think of as “horror stories” of families experiences in the local church. To give churches a blueprint of who to do it, helps them know where to start. We are fortunate to have a full time staff member dedicated to special needs families at our church. That is unique so hats off to you for doing this to help churches right where they are.
Ruth Stieff on July 20, 2013 at 10:07 am

Jolene: This is great! When I go and volunteer at Joni & Friends I hear what I think of as “horror stories” of families experiences in the local church. To give churches a blueprint of who to do it, helps them know where to start. We are fortunate to have a full time staff member dedicated to special needs families at our church. That is unique so hats off to you for doing this to help churches right where they are.
Kim Cooney on July 20, 2013 at 12:18 am

I currently assist a teacher in a Sunday school setting with Special Ed. kids ranging in age from 6 to probably 18 years of age. While I haven’t been doing this for very long, I myself have a son who has ADHD all his life. He is now 20 years old and he was drug exposted as a baby from his mother. She took Meth. during her whole pregnancy. There were challenges with our son growing up but his father and I did so much as advocates for him that he was able to get through high school and is now working part-time at a restaurant in Oregon. We ourselves live in the San Diego, Ca. area.
While I truly think you are doing a wonderful job getting this book together especially for Sunday school volunteers, I try to stay focused on just the procedures that are set out by the Sunday school teacher I assist every month. I will give this info., however, to the Sunday school teacher so that she can contact you herself. Thanks and God bless.
Kim Cooney on July 20, 2013 at 12:18 am

I currently assist a teacher in a Sunday school setting with Special Ed. kids ranging in age from 6 to probably 18 years of age. While I haven’t been doing this for very long, I myself have a son who has ADHD all his life. He is now 20 years old and he was drug exposted as a baby from his mother. She took Meth. during her whole pregnancy. There were challenges with our son growing up but his father and I did so much as advocates for him that he was able to get through high school and is now working part-time at a restaurant in Oregon. We ourselves live in the San Diego, Ca. area.
While I truly think you are doing a wonderful job getting this book together especially for Sunday school volunteers, I try to stay focused on just the procedures that are set out by the Sunday school teacher I assist every month. I will give this info., however, to the Sunday school teacher so that she can contact you herself. Thanks and God bless.
Cindi Ferrini on July 18, 2013 at 6:55 pm

I am SO happy for you both and can’t wait to read BOTH up and coming books! WOW! CONGRATS!
Cindi Ferrini on July 18, 2013 at 6:55 pm

I am SO happy for you both and can’t wait to read BOTH up and coming books! WOW! CONGRATS!