09/13/2017

By Pam Abbott

My sister Laurie was born with Down Syndrome and has an intellectual disability. Laurie and I are 15 months apart in age; we have lived apart for most of our lives so we never attended church or had the opportunity to worship together. That is until four years ago, when we went to our first Rejoicing Spirits Service at the Calvary Lutheran Church in West Chester.

07/26/2017
As the Medicaid debates are waged in legislative chambers, Mosaic and Rejoicing Spirits call congregations and faith communities to prayer. We seek God’s guidance for our leaders so that decisions made do not damage people with disabilities. We ask that God would awaken our commitment for the good of all and that we, as a society, would pursue justice.
02/23/2017

This is a season of light. As the days get longer and the sun rises almost imperceptibly earlier in our daily routines, we celebrate the Great Light seen by the people who walked in darkness, the Light that lightens  the nations.

Our Sunday morning Gospel lessons reflect that theme, and all the new beginnings that accompany it—John crying out in the wilderness, baptism, temptations in the wilderness, and ultimately calling the disciples.

02/23/2017

March is National Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to recognize and celebrate people with disabilities as valuable, contributing members of our community and who have much to offer.

People with developmental disabilities have proven to be reliable workers and excellent volunteers, capable of meeting or exceeding expectations and standards. Thanks to organizations like Mosaic, people with disabilities are leading richer, more fulfilling lives. 

02/23/2017

Kelli JosephBlessings from Mosaic! 

My name is Kelli Joseph and I am the new Community Relations Coordinator supporting Rev. Dave deFreese and Rejoicing Spirits.

02/23/2017

By Glen Stewart

Rejoicing Spirits Host Site Leader

As we enter our fifth year of hosting Rejoicing Spirits worship services at St. John Lutheran Church in Ocean City, New Jersey, it’s heartwarming to reflect on the joy and love that have been shared among our faith family. Five years of sharing our faith and message of salvation. Five years of truly remarkable worship services. Five years of joyous singing and dancing. Five years of big smiles and even bigger hugs. Five years of Rejoicing Spirits!

02/23/2017

It’s helpful to have a basic understanding of how behavior works, whether it’s desirable behavior or undesirable behavior. All behavior that is repeated serves a purpose for that person; it meets a need. Behavior ultimately allows the person to get something, get away from something, or both. Often the person who does the behavior may not realize the outcome of the behavior. Behavior that works is likely to be repeated, regardless of whether or not it’s desirable to others. Behaviors that do not work will eventually discontinue. 

09/20/2016

A Spirit of Power and Love

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love.” - II Timothy 1:7

“SWING! Get the bat off your shoulders.”

03/04/2016

My first year at Mosaic, I intentionally took more time to listen to the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities and their loved ones talk about life, faith and how Mosaic can better serve in the world.

One story stuck with me.

A faith community was starting a Rejoicing Spirits ministry.

They had publicized a worship service “for all” when they received a lengthy letter from a parent.

At the end of the letter the parent wrote:

“But do you mean it?” 

11/02/2015

“Once there was a church that ran out of things to do. They had done all the hymns and said all the prayers over and over. They knew the festivals by heart and could recite psalms without looking or thinking. So they decided to celebrate the only thing left: each other. Every week they celebrate one person. So many people are joining, it seems they’ll never get done with what they’re doing.” –Herbert Brokering, “I Openers”.

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