Smiles galore at Jesus Cares Christmas program

By RACHEL WEDDIG

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Smiles and tears of joy filled the lecture room at St. Paul's Lutheran Elementary Saturday morning during the Jesus Cares School Christmas celebration.

Students from the Jesus Cares program sang Christmas songs and student-helpers from Martin Luther College read Bible verses telling the story of the birth of Jesus.

Throughout the program students received different Christmas presents relating to Jesus, such as the Bible, and nativity scene figures of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

The Jesus Cares Ministries is part of the Lutheran Home Association out of Belle Plaine. It has 13 different locations throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.

"Jesus Cares brings the gospel to people who have developmental disabilities," said Steven Persons, Jesus Cares Ministries Minnesota District Chapter Coordinator. "We taylor our services to the people as they need it. Members of the program come from nursing homes, assisted-living homes and group homes."

Funding for the Jesus Cares program comes from gifts and grants. The program has been in New Ulm for 12 years. It has five attributes: support, education, worship, fellowship and evangelism.

The program offers support to families and care givers. The Jesus Cares class meets every Saturday at St. Paul's Lutheran Elementary School. Donna Wolle, a current student at MLC enrolled in the staff ministry program, is the lead teacher for New Ulm's Jesus Cares School.

"I thought the program was absolutely beautiful -- it always is," Wolle said. "It's such a blessing to work with the students and the volunteers from MLC."

Persons said the class offers simplified, hands-on worship services where participants can play rhythm instruments. For fellowship activities, participants go on retreats and have special events such as "Hawaii Day" in winter, movie nights and take a day to plant flowers around the school in spring.

The Jesus Cares program is always looking for more participants.

"There is an estimated 150 or more people in New Ulm with developmental disabilities -- we're only touching a small part and would like to widen it," Persons said. "We're looking for another time to meet instead of just Saturdays to expand and we invite people to join in and come check out the class."

Persons is the only full time staff person with Jesus Cares Ministries. He said the program thrives due to the the dedication of the numerous volunteers. He said he is grateful to the work of three volunteers who help organize the program -- Grace Bases, Helen Krueger and Emily Gleisner.

"These folks are so willing and eager to do this," Persons said. "We are serving about 150 students with 95 volunteers throughout the state."

Persons said the students also teach the volunteers.

"We don't only serve them. They teach us a lot about the simplicity of life," Persons said. "Their desire to want and to help serve is apparent."

Wolle has been volunteering her time to teach the class since September, but has helped in previous years. As the participants sang and smiled throughout the program it's clear they enjoy putting on the program.

"The reward is working for the Lord and spreading his message," Wolle said. "They are always excited to do this program and they're just as excited about Jesus -- that really warms the heart."

For more information about the Jesus Cares program, contact Persons at (507) 934-9511.