[Mount Olive Chronicle] Nine years ago, Ray Bonker had an idea for how his daughter, who is on the autism spectrum, could participate and enjoy in Sunday services at Christ Episcopal Church in Budd Lake.
The upshot was that Bonker conceived a program that he called "All God's Children" which is designed for children of all ages, with a particular welcome for children with autism, PDD-NOS, ADHD, ADD, Downs, or any other developmental or physical challenge.
At first, kids from two to three families attended. Now, nine years later, the non-denominational program draws an average of 20 children and caregivers from as far as Morristown and has spread to five other churches throughout the state. Representatives of an Episcopal church in Palmyra were at Sunday's service to get help in starting their own program for young people with special needs.
Bonker of Byram has stepped back from running the program because "I didn't want it to live and die with me."
Newest Pastor
The program is now conducted by the church pastor, the Rev. Ellen Kohn-Perry and Leonette Chapman, a parent of a special needs son. Kohn-Perry was named pastor in January 2015 and "All God's Children" was one reason she accepted the post as her son, Trystan, 12, has learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
