Emley’s Hill Church plans
to build all-purpose facility
Summer camp, to
include special needs
children, also planned
in Plumsted
By jane meggitt
Correspondent

UPPER FREEHOLD — The congregation of Emley’s Hill United Methodist Church has several ambitious projects under way.

The church recently started a food bank in the former municipal building in Imlaystown and is now embarking on a campaign to construct a new building to meet various needs of people in the community.

An emphasis will be placed on children and adults with disabilities and special needs. Anne Gaspar, Millstone Township, the church’s media coordinator, explained that they originally planned to modify the existing 180-year-old church to make it handicapped accessible, but found new construction would be more effective and decided their long-term goals could best be met by purchasing a larger piece of property.

The Rev. Greg Bruton, pastor, said the project is still in the planning stages, and church officials are looking at parcels of land in the township to accommodate the new building. They would like to have at least 10 acres, and have been looking at properties for over two years.

"When it comes to land, it takes a while," said the minister.

The new building, according to Bruton, would be all-purpose, and church services would be held within it. They hope to serve people with disabilities with amenities such as a pool and gym. Once the programs are up and running, they will eventually construct a new church and convert the present church building to a day-care and nursery school facility.

Dawn Reinaldi, New Egypt, is the superintendent of the Sunday school and an aide for special needs children in her town’s middle school. There are two other special needs teachers and two aides in the congregation.

"Our vision is to welcome all children with special needs and pair them with other kids. We don’t want to segregate them. We want them involved in all Sunday school programs," said Reinaldi.

They plan to serve children from pre-school to high school age, and Reinaldi has ordered a special curriculum. "Our pastor has a heart for children. He says, ‘Whatever it takes, whatever you need,’ " she said.

Also in the works is a summer camp which would include special needs children. The church is in the process of purchasing 12 acres in Plumsted to fulfill this goal.

Bruton said that demand for the church’s vacation Bible school was overwhelming, and they now had to limit it because of the size of the church. There are currently about 250 members of the congregation, with 175 members very active in the church.

"Any children God sends to our church, their needs will be met," Reinaldi said.