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Brown honored with Bethesda Follower of the Lamb Award

060623/01

Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc., a leader in the field of developmental disability service, has announced that the Bethesda Board of Directors recently awarded Mary Jane Brown of Fort Wayne, Ind., the Bethesda Follower of the Lamb Award.

Brown has been instrumental in creating the Sharing Education Experiences in Disability (SEED) class at Praise Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. For the past two years, Brown has coordinated all the various aspects of the class, including volunteer organization and working with Bethesda staff members who accompany the individuals to the class.

“The purpose of honoring people like Mary Jane with the Bethesda Follower of the Lamb Award is to thank them and motivate others to use their God-given talents to enable individuals with developmental disabilities achieve the maximum of their potential,” says Dr. David Geske, Bethesda president and CEO. “The Follower of the Lamb program recognizes and thanks Lutheran congregations, organizations and individuals who have provided a significant service or demonstrated a sincere love and concern for people with developmental disabilities through Christ-centered education programs or activities.”

The SEED class itself meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month during the school year, and includes music by the church’s youth band, a Bible lesson, a snack and a closing prayer. On average, over 20 individuals with developmental disabilities attend throughout a given month.

In addition, Brown invites all who attend SEED classes to church services, events and dinners, and does so by personal invitation.

Rev. Fredrick Hearn, pastor of Praise Lutheran Church, reports that Brown makes home visits to get to know the individuals better and makes special effort to introduce them to the other members of the congregation. Rev. Hearn goes on to say that Brown also involved young people in leading music and doing crafts with the SEED class.

“Mary Jane shows great compassion for individuals with developmental disabilities,” says Rev. Hearn. “She goes out of her way to make them feel that they belong here, and has done a great job incorporating many of the individuals with developmental disabilities into the life of our congregation.”

“You can see the love she has for them and her example has rubbed off on the congregation as a whole. Because of her involvement, the individuals with developmental disabilities have been accepted and loved by our congregation. It has been a fantastic ministry.”

Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc., has provided services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families for over 100 years. Through its residential facilities, supported-living programs, outreach services and secular training workshops, Bethesda offers services to thousands of individuals, congregations and service providers throughout the country and throughout the world.

For more information on Bethesda’s services and support programs, call the public relations office at 1.800.369.4636, ext. 3817, or email: pr@blhs.org.