Wesley Church, 1104 Kirkwood Pike, Quarryville, will host its annual A-Team Talent Show on Sunday, May 21, at 6 p.m. This will be the 10th year that the church has organized the free event, which will include a variety of acts from members of the A-Team special needs ministry.

The A-Team started at Wesley Church as a youth praise and worship band that included several students both with and without special needs. Many of the students grew up and moved away to attend college, but a group of students with disabilities remained in the program. Tami Shaub, the creator of the program and the special needs coordinator at Wesley Church, wanted to continue to give the young musicians an outlet to play music and perform together. Shaub then organized the first talent show, which immediately received a wave of support from the community and has drawn hundreds of audience members every year since.

"Most of our members don't have a chance to have the spotlight often," Shaub said. "They see their siblings do sports competitions and perform at school, but this is a chance for them to take the stage."

Wesley Church took a break from hosting the talent show for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and brought the event back in 2022. Shaub noted that the students are ecstatic to have the show once again; many of the performers started planning for this year's show only weeks after the last event. The show incorporates students of all ages and abilities, and in the past it has included book readings, musical performances, stand-up comedy routines and magic shows. "There's a lot of laughter and fun in the show. People in the community get really engaged," Shaub said. "It's one of those events that makes you feel really good after."

Throughout the year, members of the A-Team convene regularly to socialize and play music together. The ministry also provides respite events where parents can drop off their students for a few hours, as well as events where the students will share a meal and complete arts and crafts together. Occasionally, Shaub takes the group of students on field trips to various places throughout the community, such as visiting Bible schools and attending camps at Black Rock Retreat in Quarryville. Shaub added that the members of the group often get together outside of the program and have developed a close bond with each other.

The A-Team is open to those both inside and outside of the congregation at Wesley Church. For more information, email Shaub at tshaub@epix.net.