Joyfully Made Fellowship will hold the A-Team Talent Show on Sunday, May 3, at 6 p.m. at Wesley Church, 1104 Kirkwood Pike, Quarryville. For over 10 years, the annual event has provided a venue for students with special needs to showcase their talents. The upcoming show will include demonstrations, singing, skits, and comedy acts. Admission is free.

Joyfully Made Fellowship began more than 15 years ago as the A-Team, a special needs ministry at Wesley Church in Quarryville. The ministry grew, as the students enjoyed the fellowship it provided.

"They felt they didn't have to work so hard to be 'typical' when we were together as a group," said founder Tami Shaub. "They could just be themselves."

After a few years, organizers felt that God was calling them to transform the ministry into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization - Joyfully Made Fellowship, a church geared for people with special needs. Organizers also felt that God was urging them to find a dedicated space for the new church, so they began looking for a handicapped-accessible and disability-friendly facility within their budget.

In May 2023, they were offered the opportunity to rent the former Mt. Hope United Methodist Church, which is currently owned by Memorial Church. Joyfully Made Fellowship took possession of the building, located outside Quarryville, on June 1, 2023. For the next month, organizers cleaned the building; purchased and gathered furniture, equipment, and supplies; and researched curricula.

"We involved the students and their families in these activities, so we could ease into the new space, since change can be such a struggle with most of our students," noted Shaub. The new facility officially opened its doors in July 2023.

Today, Joyfully Made offers an array of services and activities. A sensory-friendly worship service and fellowship are available on Sunday mornings, along with a Sunday school class. Other gatherings take place on Thursdays and include a meal, a Bible lesson or activity, and music. Joyfully Made also offers field trips and community events. Three- to four-hour respite times allow parents and guardians to drop off their students for themed events, such as a pizza party, an ice cream party, a pajama party, or a movie night. In addition, a support group is available for parents and caregivers. Joyfully Made recently purchased a mid-size bus with a wheelchair lift that will be used to transport members to and from activities.

Shaub noted that her ideas for the future include offering daytime programming for participants who need or want a place to go during the week. She also hopes that the organization will inspire similar efforts, and she said that people from other areas of Pennsylvania have already contacted her to find out more about Joyfully Made.

"We are really looking forward to what God has in store for us in the future," she said.

Joyfully Made is 100% volunteer-run and funded entirely through donations.

For more information about the talent show or Joyfully Made, email Shaub at tshaub@epix.net.