Christian Alliance for Orphan Webinar

Follow this link to sign up to be a apart of this webinar:  http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org/

Orphan Care Opportunities

As we continue to see the Bethany Fellowship of Churches’ families grow through fostering and/or adoption the opportunity for our church family grows too.

As you consider how the Lord would have you involved with orphan care Open Hearts, Open Homes has some opportunities for you to consider:

1. Offer respite to a family that has brought a child home and needs time to re-connect with each other or one of their other children.

Respite is at times difficult to seek out, but oftentimes needed.  Families that are in the midst of 

change or a trial don't necessarily think to ask for help.  At times, they can't think far enough to ask for  help.

As a church body we can offer "a cup of cool water" (Mark 9:41 - "I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.")  to families that need to re-connect as a couple or with one or more of their children whose lives have been impacted by changes in their family.  As a church family we can be pro-active and offer them an evening or afternoon to reconnect and be renewed.  Respite!

2. Offer a meal to a family that is adjusting to an additional child. 

Open Hearts, Open Homes does have a meal team that provides meals to families when a change occurs in their home.  If a family is involved in an Adult Bible Community (ABC) these meals come after the ABC is finished with meals, if they are not involved in an ABC they come immediately.  If you would like to be involved in the meal team please contact Michelle Hahn @ mhahn2002@gmail.com

3. Join the OHOH prayer team through your myBethany account.  

Sign up for the Open Hearts Prayer Team to receive weekly prayer request via email to prayerfully support families anywhere in the process of fostering or adoption

4.  Mentor a foster child.

TFI Mentoring Training

Tuesday, October 23, 2012     Time: 6-9pm

Bethany Baptist Church
7422 N Heinz Lane, Edwards

The Forgotten Initiative provides training for anyone in the Body of Christ that would like to mentor a child that is currently in Foster Care.  Email cassie@theforgotteninitiative.org to RSVP.

(See previous post for more information.)

5. Offer financial support to a family in the process of adopting.  

Bethany Fellowship of Churches has several families that are in the process of adoption and would blessed greatly from a financial gift to help them in ministering to a child through adoption.  If financial support interests you Lisa @ schwarz8@mtco.com can help you in finding out who those families who have been through the OHOH process.

If you have any questions about any of these things please send an email to Amy at levisix@frontier.com.

Orphan Sunday

Sunday, November 4 is National Orphan Sunday.   Traditionally at Bethany Churches we recognize orphan care on Sanctity of Life Sunday in January but we would like to call attention to opportunities in Central IL that have to do with Orphan Care.  

DEFEND THE CAUSE - November 2, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Eastview Christian Church; Doors open at 6 p.m. (flier attached)

Please come hear Todd and Amy Block of Village of Hope share the vision and hope for providing faith, family and a future to special needs orphans in San Lucas, Guatemala. Village of Hope is a ministry of Lifesong for Orphans in partnership with Project Hopeful. This free community event will include music, dessert, coffee and a silent auction as we hear what is being done for orphans and how we can help make a difference. The event is free; however, RSVPs are requested to help plan the event. Please register at http://defendthecause2012.eventbrite.com. This event is hosted by the Orphan Care Ministry of Eastview Christian Church, 1500 N. Airport Rd., Normal, IL. For more information, please email orphancareteam@eastviewcc.org.

Orphan's Table Meal - Check out http://orphansunday.org/orphans-table/  to order your own easy-to-cook meal package to host an Orphan's Table meal in your own home. Great teaching opportunity for our families!

An Orphan's Table Meal, November 4, 12:30 p.m.; Grace Church, Normal

Grace Church will have an Orphan Sunday Program during regular church services on November 4 and offer An Orphan's Table Meal at 12:30 p.m. Grace Church is located at 1311 W. Hovey Ave., Normal. For more information, please call 452-5076. 

An Orphan's Table Meal, November 11, 12 p.m.; East White Oak, Carlock

East White Oak will have an Orphan Sunday Event on November 11 starting at noon following their regular services. This event will include An Orphan's Table Meal. East White Oak is located at 11922 East 2000 North Rd, Carlock. For more information, please call 454-3833. 

ADOPTION RESOURCES

Adoption Q&As - October 26 or November 17, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Do you have unanswered questions regarding adoption? Consider joining Brad and Amy Arnold in their home for an evening of open discussion on adoption. Brad and Amy were both speakers at the 2012 Connecting Hearts with the Forgotten Conference. They will share how God changed their hearts from unwilling to willing and how He guided them through overwhelming decisions. They will address financial concerns, sharing from their personal journeys of being resource constrained to fully funded. There will be ample time to ask questions and have open conversation on various hurdles and fears that families face in the adoption process. It is their passion to provide guidance and encouragement to anyone God may be leading to the journey of adoption. Space is limited. To RSVP or for more information, please contact Amy at amymarnold@comcast.net. 

Connecting Points, Post Placement Seminar - November 17, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Grace Church, Normal

The Grace Church Orphan Care Ministry invites foster and adoptive parents to a Post-Placement Seminar designed to encourage and provide training for parenting children with trauma-based behavioral issues. The session will include portions of the DVD, "Trust-Based Parenting: Creating Lasting Changes in Your Child's Behavior". This event is open to anyone, but the primary focus is for adoptive and foster families. RSVPs are requested, especially if child care is required. Please RSVP by contacting Michael Roche at michael.roche@omnicomputerconsulting.com or 309-454-5764 by November 11. Grace Church is located at 1311 W. Hovey Ave., Normal. 

FOSTER CARE COMMUNITY EVENTS

Foster Parent Care Group - Thursday nights through November 29, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Eastview Christian Church (1500 N. Airport Rd., Normal) is offering a Foster Parent Care Group on Thursday evenings through November 29 (no meeting on November 22). This Care Group is open to any area foster parents. There is still room to join. Jessi Esterling, Director of Operations for the Forgotten Initiative, is leading the group through a study of "The Connection", by Dr. Karyn Purvis. Free childcare is available for ages 2-10 with RSVP. To RSVP or for more information, please email jsniff@eastviewcc.org. 

Mentor Training - October 23 and February 9

Are you interested in being a mentor to a foster child? Mentor training is available through the Forgotten Initiative and is being held on October 23 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Bethany Baptist Church in Peoria and on February 9 from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Eastview Christian Church in Normal. To RSVP or for more information, please email cassie@theforgotteninitiative.org. 

October Focused Fellowship

October Focused Fellowship

Monday, October 15, 2012

7:00pm

At the home of Monica Lonergan, 
1111 W. Burnside Dr. Peoria

Focused Fellowship welcomes ladies anywhere in the process of fostering and/or adoption.  Whether you are just in the "thinking it through" stage or a seasoned adoptive mom you are welcome to join us.  We will have a devotion, time of prayer, and time to encourage one another.

There is no need to RSVP.  If you would like you can bring a snack to share, but it is not necessary.  

Any questions: Amy @ levisix@frontier.com

TFI Mentor Training - October 23, 2012

  

TFI Mentoring Training

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

6-9pm

Bethany Baptist Church
7422 N Heinz Lane, Edwards

The Forgotten Initiative provides training for anyone in the Body of Christ that would like to mentor a child that is currently in Foster Care. 

You do not need to be a licensed foster parent to mentor a child.  The requirements are as follows:

- 21 years old (or older)
- valid driver's license
- Completion of TFI training
- minimum of 1 year commitment to mentor
- Successfully pass DCFS background check
- Successfully completes Application Process at Agency
- Belief/commitment to the TFI Statement of Faith

To RSVP for training: infor@theforgotteninitiative.org

Questions? use above email address or 1-309-531-5824

Defend The Cause - November 2, 2012

To reserve your spot go to:

http://defendthecause2012.eventbrite.com/