Religious Mainstreaming of Mentally Retarded Clients into the Community

Abstract

Reports on the “mainstreaming” or integrating of mentally retarded residents of a state hospital into local churches. Several categories of participation are described, the highest being full involvement including Sunday school, worship, family night suppers, women of the church, and other events in the life of the local church. A second level of participation provides more structure through a Sunday morning worship service at the institution and a rotating Sunday afternoon service held by five local congregations. The program described focuses on music with short, highly illustrated sermons. The final level of involvement for severely impaired residents involves on-campus Christian education and worship experiences.