Our first sensory room, geared toward children and those with higher support needs, is located next to the restrooms down the south first-floor hallway at FPC. A low-sensory entrance is accessible from Duncan Street, on the southeast side of the main building and the first sensory room is directly opposite that entrance. Our second sensory room, geared toward teens, adults, and those with lower support needs, is located in the Worship Center. We encourage neurodivergent individuals and their families to choose the sensory room that best supports their needs.

A sensory room is a carefully designed space that minimizes overwhelming sensory input, offering a calm and controlled environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities or those who need a break from sensory overload. Sensory rooms are designed to help individuals manage stress, anxiety, and overstimulation by providing a safe and predictable environment. They cater to individuals with sensory processing differences, such as those with autism, ADHD, or other neurodevelopmental conditions. Sensory rooms can be used by anyone who benefits from a calmer, more organized setting. They are not meant to be playrooms for the general public, but rather a controlled environment that can improve focus and concentration by reducing distractions and can also help individuals work through emotions and develop coping mechanisms.

Our sensory rooms includes:

• Soft lighting options to reduce visual overstimulation.
• Noise-canceling materials to minimize auditory distractions.
• Beanbags, cushions, and other comfortable seating options to promote relaxation.
• Small, comforting spaces like tents and pop-up tunnels.
• Neuro-affirming fidget tools and small manipulatives that promote regulation.
• Textured surfaces, soft blankets, and weighted items to provide calming tactile input.
• Calming visuals like bubble tubes and colorful, neuro-affirming equipment to engage and soothe.
• Rocking chairs, balance boards, and other tools to promote movement and body awareness.
• A television livestreaming worship to engage with the service.

The liturgical library makes space for a variety of responses in worship, acknowledging that our brains and bodies all have different needs when it comes to focusing, learning, listening, and worshiping.

The library is  filled with neuro-affirming items to engage people of all ages in worship. Some items will be particularly helpful for those who are neurodivergent, but all are welcome to use the items to more fully connect with and engage in worship. The items aren’t toys, rather they are tools for regulating, for sensory input, and for worship engagement.

Our library includes:

• Moses’ tablets – LED drawing tablets (to doodle, draw the Bible story, draw/write prayers, etc.)
• Noise-cancelling headphones
• Creation Station – colored pencils, crayons, paper, clipboards, pipe cleaners, wiki stix
• Dance with Miriam – ribbon wands for use during music
• Sensory aids—nee doh, sensory boards, infinity cubes
• Interactive Worship Bulletins

How do you use the liturgical library?

Grab a bag and add items that you’d like to use to engage in worship. After worship, return your bag to the basket at the base of the library (keep any paper/creations you’ve made but return other materials with the bag).

Team Neurodiversity is sharing a term of the month in an effort to educate our congregation on what neurodiversity is, encourage proper terminology and phraseology, debunk outdated and harmful views, and prepare our congregation to be openhearted, educated, and understanding as we hope to welcome more neurodivergent individuals and families into our church. These words are published in our weekly enews and our Sunday bulletins. To the right are words from recent months with a link to more information about each.