Mormon Channel

Autism Light #357 is The Mormon Channel.

The Mormon Channel is the "media channel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The channel originates from Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah and broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Content for the station comes from the vast archives of the Church, along with several new series created specifically for this station (About The Mormon Channel)."  The Mormon Channel is an Autism Light for raising autism awareness by creating media that addresses autism and is spread to their viewers across the world.

The following media on The Mormon Channel shares the story of a girl named Hannah whose brother Hyrum has autism. It was released by The Mormon Channel in April of 2013 for Autism Awareness Month (Deseret News, Sarah Petersen, May 1, 2013). It concludes with an excerpt from a message on inclusion by Thomas S. Monson, the President of The Mormon Church.




Autism was also the subject of a special program on The Mormon Channel called "Mormon Identities."  Episode 43 of "Mormon Identities" was dedicated to autism. You can listen to that media at www.mormonchannel.org/mormon-identities/43.

Special thanks to The Mormon Channel for being an Autism Light by raising awareness of autism in their media. Hopefully this message of hope for autism will reach a large and diverse audience as they share their media around the clock. To read about other features at Autism Light with connections to the Mormon faith search for the label "Mormon."

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

St. Peter Roman Catholic Church

Autism Light #89 is St. Peter Roman Catholic Church.

St. Peter Roman Catholic Church is located at 350 Fair Street in Warwick, Rhode Island.  The church was established in 1933 and the present pastor of the church is Rev. Roger C. Cagne. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church is an Autism Light because they have a special autism program that helps Catholic individuals with autism in Rhode Island to experience the Sacraments.

History: In the Fall of 2008, St. Peters began the program of offering Autism & the Sacraments as part of their Faith Formation offerings. The program is part of several like it in the Catholic Church, but it is the first of its kind in the state of Rhode Island. In March of 2009 an article was written by the Associated Press on this unique autism program by the church. More information on this successful and ongoing program can be found on their website at http://stpeterswarwick.com/autism-program/.

Program:  As part of the program, children meet every two weeks to learn about their faith. To develop the program volunteers were used that come from the Catholic faith but who also have professional experience in working with autistic students outside of the church.Anyone interested in having their child enroll should call Margaret Andreozzi, who is the elementary faith formation coordinator.  Her number is 401/461-5691. There is a waiting list to get into the program.

Mass: 3 Masses (worship services) are celebrated with the families in the Autism & the Sacraments program.  These Masses have been led by the church's pastor, Rev. Roger Cagne. Some of the changes he makes to these special Masses is the hour-long liturgy is shortened to 15 minutes, by skipping music, making prayers optional, and having only a brief message. Rev. Roger Cagne said about this program, "The whole point is Jesus is totally inclusive. He directs his followers to do the same (Source)."

Social Media:  You can follow St. Peters Church on their Facebook page.

For more information on St. Peters Church visit their website at http://stpeterswarwick.com. Special thanks to St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in Warwick, Rhode Island for helping those with autism to be able to participate in the Catholic religious faith.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

---

This Autism Light post went into syndication at Autisable.

First Baptist Church of Plano

Autism Light #84 is the First Baptist Church of Plano. 

The First Baptist Church of Plano is located at 1300 East 15th Street in Plano, Texas.  The church was started in 1872. Dr. Jerry Carlisle has served as the pastor of the church since 2002. The First Baptist Church of Plano is an Autism Light because one of their ministries is an Autism Book Club.

The Autism Book Club is one of the small group ministries of the First Baptist Church of Plano. Their website provides this introduction to the Autism Book Club.

Learning to cope with a diagnosis and treatment options for children with autism is a daunting process. Every journey in our life has a purpose, and even in the tough times there is so much God can teach us. We can enjoy our children and our role as parents as we learn to help our children conquer their challenges and celebrate their strengths and accomplishments. The purpose of this group is to find the hope, healing, and learning that comes through faith and trust in God. Our focus will be to find the inspiration that we receive when looking at and sharing the scriptures, and encouraging one another through the challenges of being parents and caregivers of special needs children (First Baptist Church of Plano Website).

The Autism Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm at the First Baptist Church of Plano and is led by Rose Henke.  The following are some of the books they are studying between August, 2011 and August, 2012:

• Raindrops on Roman
• Life Without Limits
• Autism's Hidden Blessings
• Joni: An Unforgettable Story
• A Friend Like Henry
• Life Interrupted: Navigating the Unexpected

The format for the Autism Book Club is they discuss the above books every other month and on the other months they are going through Max Lucado's Life Lesson Series.  On August 10, 2011 the group also had the special opportunity to meet Bobbi Sheahan and Dr. Kathy DeOrnellas discuss their book What I Wish I'd Known About Raising a Child with Autism.  For more information on this program visit www.fbcplano.org/autism-book-club.

For more information about the First Baptist Church of Plano visit their website at www.fbcplano.org.  The First Baptist Church of Plano's Facebook page is another source of ongoing information via social media.

Special thanks to the First Baptist Church of Plano for sponsoring an Autism Book Club that can be a spiritual inspiration for those people impacted by the autism of a loved one.  Perhaps this program can serve as an idea for other churches as well as other types of groups to consider undertaking on behalf of autism support and awareness.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts

Autism Light #49 is the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.

The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts is an Autism Light because they have demonstrated a commitment and compassion for autism by creating a faith based program for people with autism called A Special Grace. This program is an excellent demonstration of inclusion for those people with autism in Massachusetts who want to participate in religion through the Episcopal Church.

Services: A Special Grace is a religious program for people with autism and it is sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.  The program is hosted currently in the Epiphany Episcopal Church in Walpole, Massachusetts. On the first Sunday of every month at 2:00pm EST they hold a service and offer the Eucharist for those on the Autism spectrum and their families. These services take place at the Epiphany Episcopal Church in Walpole, Massachusetts located at 62 Front Street in Walpole, MA (directions are available at a link on their website).  Some of the features of the service outlined on this page of their website include:

• Sensory Spaces
• Sensory Diet Aids
• Gluten Free Wafers for the Eucharist
• A Parent Guide Available on the Service
• Therapeutic Play

Transition Inclusion: A Special Grace also has a program to help people with autism to be integrated (mainstreamed) into the congregation.

• They train volunteers to assist families with mainstreaming people with autism into the congregation.
• They help adapt some of the materials for the better understanding of people with autism.
• They train clergy on how to minister to the unique needs of people with autism. 

Resources: Clergy involved in A Special Grace are available to offer workshops at the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts Congregational Resource Days (including one coming up October 1, 2011).  Some of the resources are listed on their website.  A Rhythm of Grace also offers a quarterly newsletter on their ministry.  The most recent one is online. To find out more about A Special Grace visit their webiste at www.aspecialgrace.com.

Curriculum: A Special Grace uses a curriculum of the same name available from Church Publishing.  Audrey Scanlan and Linda Snyder are the author of this faith based resource for ministering to people with autism.

Social Media: To follow A Special Grace via social media Like Rhythms of Grace on Facebook.

If you know of other religious groups or clergy that are doing special things for people with autism please let us know and we will consider them for future recognition.  Email: autismlight@gmail.com.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

---

This Autism Light post was mentioned in the CANadda Daily on September 26, 2011.
This Autism Light post went into syndication at Autisable.