The Sharing Vitality Grants, created by the Vitality Ministry Council of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, are designed to help congregations explore creative and meaningful ways to gain, sustain, and recapture vitality. These $2,500 grants support new or expanding ministries that encourage churches to be ambitious, collaborative, and generative, while also creating opportunities to share what they’re learning with others across the NACCC.
At First Congregational Church, one such ministry – Pilgrim Pals – has become a powerful expression of belonging, inclusion, and community. What began with a simple request has grown into a vibrant and transformative program for adults with special needs, grounded in the belief that every person deserves to feel safe, valued, and fully part of the life of the church.
Pilgrim Pals traces its origins to three individuals whose legacy is honored on a memorial wall in the group’s gathering space. Amanda, a beloved member who grew up in the church, helped pave the way for a more inclusive vision. Mike, drawing from personal experiences of exclusion in other faith communities, courageously asked the church in 2018 to create a group where adults with special needs could belong. And Kathy – affectionately known as “Grandma” to all – brought decades of wisdom as a special education teacher, nurturing a spirit of care that continues to shape the ministry today.
In response to Mike’s request, church leadership invited two members with backgrounds in special education to help launch the group. From the beginning, the heart behind Pilgrim Pals has been clear: to create a space where individuals are not only welcomed, but fully integrated into the life of the church; where social connections can flourish; and where safety, dignity, and joy are foundational.
Today, Pilgrim Pals meets one to two times each month, offering a range of activities including crafts, cooking classes, game nights, and outings such as bowling, miniature golf, and trips for ice cream. But beyond these gatherings, something deeper has taken root.
“Small miracles” have become part of the ministry’s story. Members of Pilgrim Pals are now active participants in the broader church community – singing in the choir, serving as ushers, hosting coffee hours, and helping with events like potlucks and rummage sales. They have contributed to seasonal projects, from assembling Samaritan’s Purse Christmas shoeboxes to baking cross-shaped cookies for Easter. One member has even taken on the role of “sunshine lady,” faithfully sending cards to fellow congregants for birthdays, holidays, and times of need – gestures that have deeply touched recipients.
In December 2025, the ministry reached a significant milestone: Pilgrim Pals was given a permanent home within two large Sunday school rooms. Church members came together to prepare and transform the space, creating a welcoming environment where the group could gather, host events, and build community. The impact has been immediate, providing a sense of stability and belonging that continues to nurture growth.
With support from a Sharing Vitality Grant, Pilgrim Pals is now expanding its reach and deepening its impact. Grant funding is enabling new initiatives such as music therapy sessions and service projects that extend beyond the church walls. One such project involves creating sleeping mats from recycled plastic bags and fleece blankets for individuals experiencing homelessness – an effort that invites participation from the wider congregation and culminates in a shared luncheon focused on connection and purpose.
The ministry is also planning activities that reconnect members with meaningful past experiences, such as a fishing trip and picnic at a local trout farm – an especially meaningful opportunity for several participants who fondly remember fishing with family members.
At its core, the grant is helping Pilgrim Pals not only grow its programming, but also demonstrate the value of sustained investment in inclusive ministry. Leaders hope this momentum will encourage the church to establish an ongoing budget, ensuring the ministry’s long-term sustainability.
The impact on participants has been profound. Confidence has grown. Friendships have deepened. And perhaps most importantly, individuals who once felt on the margins are now stepping forward with a sense of belonging. One particularly moving moment came on Easter Sunday, when the newly formed Pilgrim Pals Chorus sang “Amazing Grace” before the congregation – an experience that brought visible emotion and underscored how far the group has come.
Looking ahead, Pilgrim Pals hopes to extend its reach into the broader community, welcoming an additional five to ten members and addressing a noticeable gap in social opportunities for adults with special needs. Their vision is not only to grow in numbers, but to continue cultivating a space where people are seen, valued, and empowered to share their gifts.
Through the Sharing Vitality Grants, the NACCC’s Vitality Ministry Council is honored to support ministries like Pilgrim Pals that embody the spirit of creativity, compassion, and collaboration. As this program continues to flourish, it offers a compelling example of how churches can become more inclusive, more connected, and more alive.