Ministries

Parables Disability Ministry

Group of diverse adults and children indoors, most wearing matching blue Parables t-shirts with colorful fish graphic, posing and smiling.

Two smiling young women standing side by side, one with glasses and a green '2024 Parables Summer Camp' shirt, with colorful fish decorations in the background.

The Parables Ministry at Wayzata Community Church is dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive faith community for people with disabilities and their families. Rooted in the belief that every person is uniquely gifted, the ministry celebrates the wisdom, joy, and faith that members of the disability community bring to our church family.

At the heart of the Parables Ministry is Parables Worship, a Sunday service designed to be accessible, accepting, engaging, and joyful for everyone. Beyond worship, the ministry offers a vibrant array of weekly programs, including the Parables Choir, classes, Bible studies, and special events that foster friendship, faith formation, and creative expression.

The Parables Ministry also supports families through caregiver groups, retreats, and respite activities, cultivating a caring and supportive community. This ministry reflects our church’s deep commitment to inclusion by ensuring that people with disabilities and their families can fully belong, grow in faith, and build meaningful relationships within our church community.

Parables Ministry

Parables Sunday Worship • 10:15 a.m. • Chapel • Through May 17, 2026
Summer Schedule: June 14, July 12, August 16 • 10:00am • Chapel

Parables is a worship experience crafted for — and led by — people with disabilities and their families. Everyone is welcome just as they are to a service filled with joyful music, marching, an inspiring message, and meaningful community connections. Stay afterward for fellowship, coffee, and sweet treats in the Colonnade.
Can’t join in person? Parables Worship is livestreamed on our website and YouTube channel.

Wednesday Programs

Parables Choir
5:50–6:20 p.m. • Chapel

All ages and stages are invited to this lively, joy-filled choir. We celebrate music, song, movement, and community — no experience needed. Bring your voice and your spirit! Sign up online.

POW — Parables on Wednesdays (Youth)
6:20–7:20 p.m. • Places in the Heart Room

POW is a weekly gathering for Parables youth (ages 25 and under), offering faith-based fun through hands-on learning, community building, and joyful connection. Register online.

AWE — Adults on Wednesday Evenings
6:20–7:30 p.m. • The Corner

A weekly class for our adult friends of Parables. Together we explore Scripture and reflect on how faith shapes daily life through conversation, learning, and spiritual growth. Register online.
*Last regular Wednesday evening programming will take place on May 6, 2026. Our year concludes with a POW/AWE End-of-Year Bowling Party on Wednesday, May 13, at Park Tavern in SLP. See below event details to register for this fun celebration!

Monthly Programs

Parent/Caregiver Support Group
Thursdays — Apr 16, May 21
6:00–8:00 p.m. • The Corner

A supportive space for those caring for a loved one with a disability to share stories, encouragement, challenges, and hope. You are not alone. Meets monthly on the third Thursday.

Special Events

Friendship Group (Respite)
Saturdays, March 21 & May 9 • 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. • The Corner

Join us for three hours of connection, fun, and friendship for people of all ages! Each gathering includes open gym time, games, music, dancing, crafts, and a shared lunch. For those who prefer a quieter environment, we also offer a calm sensory space and library area. Whether you enjoy being active, creative, or simply spending time with friends, there’s something here for everyone.

Registration required • $20 per participant • Scholarships available

Financial assistance is available. If cost is a concern, simply indicate scholarship interest when registering.

Black and white illustration of a person with long hair covering their face with hands, tears falling, and a small plant growing in front of them, with the text 'GOOD GRIEF' above.

GOOD GRIEF: Not the Life You Planned, but a Life That Has Shaped You
A retreat for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities
Wayzata Community Church — The Corner
‍April 24 • 5:00–9:00 p.m.
April 25 • 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Cost: $100
Co-Hosted By: Rev. Danielle Jones & Michele Ramert

Good Grief is a grace-filled retreat for those whose hearts hold both love and loss — joy and sorrow. Together, we will acknowledge the challenges of a life you didn’t plan, while honoring the deep gifts and meaning that also live within it.

Through guided reflection, conversation, and quiet moments of rest, participants will have space to share unspoken grief, unexpected joys, questions, resilience, and the profound love that accompanies this journey. You will be invited to breathe, be seen, and connect with others who truly understand.

You are not alone. Your story matters.

Graphic for Pow & Awe End-of-Year Bowling Party with bowling pins, a red ball, neon lights, lightning bolts, and event date Wednesday, May 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

POW/AWE End-of-Year Bowling Party
Wednesday, May 13, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
$15 per person
Location: Park Tavern, St. Louis Park
Registration required

Join us as we wrap up the year with a fun night of bowling, dinner, and time together. Whether you’re a seasoned bowler or trying it for the first time, come for laughter, connection, and celebration as we close out the year.

End-of-Year Potluck
Sunday, May 17 • 11:15 a.m. • Mithun Hall
Registration required • No cost

Join us for our annual End-of-Year Potluck as we transition to our summer schedule and celebrate another wonderful year together! We’re grateful for this amazing community and the faith journey we share.

Bring a dish to share, enjoy a slideshow highlighting the past year, and have fun with games and crafts. All are welcome!

Grow

serve

Staff

Michele Ramert

Director, Parables Disability Ministry