ORLANDO — Donna Lorman’s 7-year-old son, Drew, has autism. Several years ago, she was asked to leave a church because its members could not handle her son. On Jan. 9, Lorman became a member of Peace United Methodist Church here because the church’s members have accepted her family and "have definitely impacted our lives every week," she said.

Lorman is part of the Southwest Orlando Community Support Group, a ministry of the Peace church to families with special-needs children, according to Laura Majistro Wells, a member of the church and one of the leaders of the support group ministry.

She’s also one of three group members who have been made to feel unwelcome at other churches because of their children.

"Several parents have come to us with stories of churches where they felt excluded before," Majistro Wells said. "Now, they’re not. And they know God has not turned his back on them."

The ministry began last July after Majistro Wells, a professional social worker, met Lorman, who had just started bringing her son to the church’s Celebration Station ministry, a Wednesday night program for children that includes music and Bible study.

"My passion is working with people with disabilities," Majistro Wells said. "I moved here two years ago…from a church in Durham [N.C.] with a large special-needs population. I knew there were people in this community with needs, and Peace is very open to all people."

The ministry is now serving a dozen area families who meet once a month, allowing parents to build a community of support.

"The parent support group is tremendous," Lorman said. "It let’s you know you’re not alone, and you have a place to let it out, share your different experiences and get help from other parents."

As many as 11 volunteers from the church also meet with the families so they can become familiar with the children, Majistro Wells said. They then serve as mentors or "shadows" to the children at church services or events.

Lorman said she appreciates not having to watch her son every minute while she is at church and the time he has with other children.

"Wednesday is an opportunity for him to be with normal peers," she said. "He just gets to be a part, and that’s the biggest thing for us."

Majistro Wells says she has seen the ministry impact the rest of the congregation, too. "It’s the power of presence," she said. "Seeing the children in church breaks down the stigma. The

ccongregation membercongregation members are more tolerant."

She said parents not involved in the program have been asking her questions about disabilities, symptoms and where to go for help.

Last November, the ministry received a $1,100 grant from the annual budget of the Church and Society ministry teams, which is part of the Conference Council on Ministries and receives its funding from connectional giving, or apportionments.

The majority of the money will help offset the cost of the dinners served during the monthly support meetings. The remainder will be set aside to help start a new ministry for disabled adults in supported living programs.