DAYTON, Ohio — The University of Dayton received a grant aiming to help create and enhance worship opportunities for children with disabilities.

The nearly $1.2 million grant comes from Lily Endowment's Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative. The initiative focuses on engaging children in "intergenerational worship and prayer practices."

“We want to make worship come alive for children with disabilities, whose needs and gifts are often overlooked,” said Jana Bennett, chair of UD’s religious studies department and initiative leader in a news release.

The goal is to use the funding to address accessibility concerns that may hinder churches from being able to include children with disabilities. UD faculty from disability and ministry will help 12 congregations in the Dayton area over five years to test and develop worship practices using Montessori-based materials.

“Congregational worship and prayer play a critical role in the spiritual growth of children and offer settings for children to acquire the language of faith, learn their faith traditions and experience the love of God as part of a supportive community,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion in a news release. “These programs will help congregations give greater attention to children and how they can more intentionally nurture the faith of children, as well as adults, through worship and prayer.”

Teams are aiming to create 24 practical worship aids to help enhance participation for children with disabilities and develop a resource book with theologies of children and disability with adaptable prayer practices.

UD is among 91 organizations receiving funds through this latest round of Lily Foundation's initiative.