Resurrection Lutheran Church in Channahon has hit on a great idea to expand its services to as many people as possible.

On the first Sunday of each month, at 1 p.m., the church holds a special service for people with sensory sensitivities and their families.

I’ve known several children and adults with sensory sensitivities. As a taekwondo instructor, I teach kids as young as 3 all the way to adults.

One young man, who is autistic, came to our martial arts school when he was very young.

His first years were rough for him; he even wore ear plugs because we encourage our students to yell pretty loudly, and the noise was a problem for him.

The lights are fluorescent bright, the commotion with multiple groups of kids of different levels alternating around the room with different instructors, can be intimidating to many kids.

This particular young man has persevered and now is a second-degree black belt.

Because I have some knowledge and a little experience working with people with sensory issues, the idea of a service to accommodate them and their families is, in my opinion, genius.

The idea was the brainchild of two parishioners, Heather Palmer, who has a child with autism, and Ingrid Romashko, who as an occupational therapist, sees a lot of students with sensory disorders, of which there are many kinds.

Imagine having a child who can’t go and visit Santa because the stimuli are just too much. Going to church could be just as difficult with loud music, bright lights, lots of singing and commotion.

The families, then, may miss out on church because they don’t want their child to suffer or disturb others, said Romashko.

“We aren’t doing it just for the kids; it’s for the whole family,” she said. “We want to make sure church wasn’t an experience they miss out on.”

During these special services the lights are dimmed, only one musician plays softly on an acoustic guitar, the sermon is very short, and there are different types of chairs for different needs available, such as bean bags and rockers.

Families are encouraged to bring their own chairs if there is something that better suits their needs. The service itself is shorter, too.

“We still have communion and prayers,” said Pastor Ben Ingelson.

The entire congregation has been very supportive of the idea. Many have made or purchased items they call fidgets – things that keep the kids’ hands busy.

“I had so many people come out of the woodwork to help; I didn’t expect that,” Romashko said.

The service is open not only to parishioners of the church but anyone who wants to attend.

One family from outside the church did come to the first service in March. The second service was on Easter Sunday.

The first Sunday happened to fall on Easter, but Romashko is excited that the families could participate on the special day.

“God Bless Pastor Ben for giving part of Easter to them,” she said.

When Ingelson was presented with the idea, he loved it.

“Regular worship services can be hard for kids or adults with sensory sensitivities,” Ingelson said. “What I learned is that it’s a challenge for the whole family to come.”

Ingelson sees it as an opportunity to fill a need in the community; not just by having the special service, but by opening it to anyone who wants to come.

He also sees the opportunity for the families to talk together afterward or on their own about their issues or what they have in common, creating another means of support for them.

“No one will bat an eye [if you are not a parishioner],” Ingelson said. “We are just glad you are here.”

• Kris Stadalsky writes about people and topics in areas southwest of Joliet. Reach her at writestuff56@comcast.net.