For over 15 years, Tami Shaub has operated a ministry known as the A-Team at Wesley Church in Quarryville. The group began as a youth praise and worship band, but many of its members were no longer able to participate as they grew older and went off to college or began working full time. The remaining members of the group were primarily those with special needs, and they loved having an opportunity to enjoy music together through the program. Many of these members explained to Shaub that although they loved the music, the most important aspect of the group was the fellowship.

Shaub decided to officially create the A-Team to continue to provide her students with the comradery they had grown to love. The group would meet regularly to share a meal and to participate in a lesson or activity that incorporated music. Over the years, Shaub expanded the program by integrating field trips, support groups for parents of children with special needs and special outings like group bowling sessions. The A-Team also had its own Sunday school class at Wesley Church, but it encountered challenges with aligning the members' schedule, as some of their parents attended church elsewhere.

In May, Shaub took an opportunity to overhaul the A-Team by creating a nonprofit organization under the name Joyfully Made Fellowship. She began to look for a building to base the ministry out of, which she hoped would resolve many of the group's scheduling challenges. On June 1, Joyfully Made Fellowship officially acquired the building that formerly housed Mount Hope UMC, located at 75 Mount Hope Road in Quarryville. Joyfully Made Fellowship opened its doors to students in July, and the new facility allows the organization to offer a sensory-friendly worship service and comradery between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Sundays. Parents are able to drop off their kids for the program and attend their regular service at another church.

"We are in an exciting transition with our group, and we know that our ministry will grow throughout the community," Shaub said. "We hope to set a model for other churches and organizations to use as a template for creating more much-needed special needs ministries."

Joyfully Made Fellowship will host an open house and ice cream social at its new location on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. The free event will be open to the public, and it will serve as a way to inform interested parties about the ministry's programs. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet the students, tour the building and enjoy complimentary frozen treats.

"Right now, this is a one-of-a-kind ministry, and we're really excited about it," Shaub said.