that are appropriate for them.” others who will eventually step One other significant ongoing into their shoes. challenge the women face is “There are a number of ways finding other volunteers to to volunteer,” S. Tschetter says. continue ERTH. “We are delighted to have visitors Each weekly meeting opens with music, which quickly engages “It’s quite a commitment,” who simply come to learn more enthusiastic ERTH participants. Balfany says. “I became involved about the program. It’s interesting with ERTH when my good friend Jane was ill and had to step back how many people step up to help teach and find they want to for at least one year. When she asked me to help I decided it was return again and again to interact with ERTH participants.” something I could do short term. However, when Jane was well The women strive to keep the structure of the program simple, enough to come back, I found I didn’t want to completely give up meeting annually to plan lessons and church rotations. my responsibilities.” “The Yankton Area Ministerial Association holds the funds we Walser, whose career was in social services, became connected use to pay for materials,” Dickinson says. “Local churches are asked with ERTH in 1983 when one of her pastors at First United to contribute funds to pay for materials and some participants make Methodist Church asked her to join the program as a teacher. donations. Sacred Heart Monastery, Knights of Columbus and the “Throughout the years, a career and family pressures VFW also provide funding. We work together as a team to keep it sometimes caused me to consider leaving ERTH but I couldn’t give going.” up the joy and satisfaction of interacting with this group and the Churches currently hosting ERTH meetings include Sacred opportunity to teach of Jesus’ love for them,” Walser says. “Without Heart, St. Benedict, Calvary Baptist, First United Methodist, St. those dedicated staff there would be no ERTH.” John’s Lutheran, Trinity Lutheran, Peace Presbyterian, Riverview Walser credits staff a Yankton and Bloomfield’s group homes Reformed and United Church of Christ Congregational. with making sure ERTH participants are transported to class each “We realize that this kind of volunteerism is not for everyone,” week. S. Tschetter says. “But anyone who wants to know more about “Some participants have severe physical challenges,” Walser ERTH is always welcome to attend our 1:00 meetings. Perhaps it says. “Transporting them is not always easy. Without that dedicated would be convenient to visit when the meeting is held at their staff there would be no ERTH.” church. They can always contact any one of us, too. This is a much While all the women struggle from time to time with health appreciated, much needed program and we want to see it issues that hinder their ERTH involvement, they share an equal continue.” I by Loretta Sorensen passion for making the service available. “We often role play during meetings,” Dickinson says. “I once asked one of the young women to make a pretend phone call to one of the members of the group that day. To my surprise she called one of the young men there and asked if he would like to take her to a movie. That caused me to recognize that the people we work with have special needs, but they also have much in common with us.” “I’m certain I’ve learned much more from special needs students than they’ve ever learned from me,” S. Tschetter says. “I’ve been amazed at the amount of scripture they often know and how much they remember about different Bible stories.” S. Tschetter, Dickinson, Balfany and Walser hope that ERTH will experience an influx of new volunteers in the near future. As they advance in years, they recognize the importance of involving Got T he Got The Knitting Bug? Check Us Out! Bug? O Check Out... hervoiceonline.com HERVOICE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 O 5