A Way to Bless Others!

OHOH is planning to bless various local foster agencies, the Crittenton Centers' Crisis Nursery, and the Women's Pregnancy Center as part of the Sanctity of Life focus in January.  You can help by bringing the following items to one of the collection bins by the Welcome Center at BCC or BBC, the Children’s Wing at BBC, or either church office by January 31^st.

 

Current list of Items needed:

- Powdered Formula (all brands, generic is fine)

- Diapers (especially sizes: 4, 5, 6)

- Pullups

- Wipes

- Boys & Girls Underwear (toddler - teen)

- Boys & Girls Socks (toddler - teen)

- Coloring/Activity/Word Puzzle Books

- Colored Pencils

- Crayons

December Focused Fellowship - Note the Date Change

December Focused Fellowship

Note the Date Change: 

 Monday, December 14, 2015 at 7:00pm

Place:  Monica's home, 1111 W Burnside Dr., Peoria

Ladies anywhere in the process of fostering and/or adopting join us for an evening of fellowship.  We will have a devotion, pray for our families, and encourage one another as we follow what the path the Lord has set us on.  

Bring a friend if you'd like.  A treat to share, if you can.  Come as you are.

Any questions? contact Monica 303-7965 or Amy 251-7250

BE ENCOURAGED!

November Focused Fellowship!

Monday, November 16, 2015

Time: 7:00pm

Place: Monica's Home. 1111 W Burnside Dr.

No need to RSVP, come as you are.

This evening is for foster and adoptive moms, come and be encouraged with like-minded ladies.  We will have a devotion, time of prayer for our families, and time to network and encourage one another.

Feel free to bring a friend and a snack to share if you'd like.

Any questions? Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

October Focused Fellowship Cancelled

If you are interested in meeting at the Panera at Westlake Shopping Center at 7pm on October 19th please reply on the Focused Fellowship Facebook post. (Neither Monica or Amy will be there, but you could meet with others!).  

Next Meeting: Monday, November 16th

October Focused Fellowship

Monday, October 19, 2015

7:00pm- 9:00pm(ish)

Monica's Home
1111 W Burnside Dr.
Peoria

This is an evening for the ladies.  We spend time praying for our families, sharing where we are in the journey, brainstorming questions, and encouraging one another in this journey of foster care and adoption.

We meet the third Monday of every month, so if you can't make it this month put it on the calendar for the next one.

No need to RSVP, please come as you are.  If you'd like to bring a snack to share great, but no pressure.

Any questions? Amy 309-251-7250  or Monica 309-303-7965

Orphan Care Study 

Sundays at 11am in Room 809 

Bethany Baptist Church

7422 N. Heinz Lane

Edwards, IL 61528 

October 4-November 8, 2015

This study is for anyone interested in what the Bible says about caring for the disenfranchised. Learn what God’s Word says about caring for the orphan. For those with a heart to foster and/or adopt, this is the first step in partnering with the Open Hearts, Open Homes Orphan Care Ministry. 

Questions?  Ken and Amy   -  levisix88@gmail.com

The next Safe Family for Children Training will take place on October 24th from 9 am - 1 pm at Bethany Community Church.  For more details or to register click on the link below.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact ohoh@bethanycommunitychurch.org

Click here for Safe Families Training

September Focused Fellowship

This evening is for you ladies!  Foster and adoptive moms or women in the  process of becoming one.  You are invited to join us at Focused Fellowship this month.  We start the evening with a short devotion and prayer and then head into discussion.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Time: 7:00pm

Place: Monica's home, 1111 W. Burnside Dr., Peoria

This month we have a special guest coming from The  Baby Fold to answer questions related to Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI).   Jen will be with us from 7:15-8:30, but our evening will begin at 7:00pm with devotion and prayer.

 If you are interested,you may send  questions/family situation, let her know how familiar you are with TBRI, and mention that you are with the Peoria support group. Jen Walbridge jwalbridge@thebabyfold.org

Come as you are, no need to RSVP.  Bring a snack to share or a friend if you would like.

Questions? Amy 309251-7250 or Monica 309-303-7965

Family Fellowship

 

Wednesday, July 22  |  2:00 PM (Eastern) "Replicable Models of Transition to Family-Based Care"

A growing number of CAFO organizations are pioneering new models that transition children from orphanages into family-based care.   Join us for a live discussion between three of these innovators and CAFO President Jedd Medefind.     Presenters include: Randy Daniels, Buckner International  Rebecca Nhep, ACCInternational Emily Heger, Akola Project

Registration link:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3748774267611268354?utm_source=Copy+of+Webinar%3A+June+2015+Announcement&utm_campaign=Webinar%3A+July+2015&utm_medium=email

 info@cafo.org

July Focused Fellowship

               July Focused Fellowship

Monday, July 20, 2015

Time: 7-9pm

Place: Note location change. Bethany Baptist Church,
Prayer Room (straight through the library).  7422 N. Heinz Lane, Edwards.

Ladies this evening is for anyone/anywhere in the process of fostering/adoption. Join us for a time of prayer for our families and to meet other like-minded ladies that you can be an encourager to or be encouraged by.

No need to RSVP, come as you are.  Bring a snack to share if you'd like.  

Any questions? Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!

CAF Summer Picnic

Christian Adoptive Families Summer Picnic!

Sunday, August 23rd

5:00pm

Place: Mark and Renee Kaiser's place,
          26489 E. Lake Windermere Rd., Tremont

Please bring a main dish and either a side OR dessert to share.  They will provide drink and paper product.

Bring your swimsuit, they have a pool!

This picnic is not an OHOH event but sponsored by the Christian Adoptive Families of Central Illinois.

Welcome Home to 

Elonna!

Congratulations to Dan and Summer!

 

"For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him."  1Samuel 1:27

June Focused Fellowship

Ladies join us for an evening of encouragement!  A great way to meet some foster and adoptive moms and share the journey with them.

Date: Monday, June 15

Time: 7pm

Place: Monica's home, 1111 W. Burnside Dr. Peoria

Tonight we will be watching a documentary, Closure, A Documentary about Adoption.

No need to RSVP, come as you are!

Note: We meet regularly on the third Monday of each month.  Any location changes will be noted on the blog.

Welcome Home!

Welcome Home

Hannah Wuxi

and

Congratulations to 

Matt and Deanna,

and siblings Nathan, Claire, and Micah.

Please pray for this family as they become the family the Lord is calling them to be.

May Focused Fellowship

Ladies, this evening is for you!  Join other women with a passion for caring for foster and/or adoptive children.  This is an evening to pray and network for your family.  You can be anywhere in the process, just starting out to parenting for years.  Come and meet other like-minded moms.

Do you have questions or concerns? Bring them with you perhaps someone else has had similar thoughts.  Let's take this journey together.

May Focused Fellowship

Date: Monday, May 18, 2005

Time: 7:00pm

Place: Monica's Home, 1111 W. Burnside Dr., Peoria

Come as you are.  Bring a friend.  Bring a snack to share if you'd like.

Questions? Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

Upcoming Safe Families for Children Webinar Trainings

Here are the links for the upcoming training webinars. The core training webinar is Wednesday, May 6and the host family webinar is Wednesday, May 20. Both webinars are from 6-8 p.m. If there's anyone you know interested in the training, please pass this along! Great thing to do with a small group:)

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/safe-families-for-children-core-training-live-webinar-tickets-16666289320?aff=erelexporg

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/safe-families-for-children-host-family-training-live-webinar-tickets-16666322419?aff=erelexporg 

Questions? Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

April Focused Fellowship Location Change

Attention Ladies!  Focused Fellowship

Monday, April 20, 2015

Time: 7-9pm

LOCATION CHANGE (for April only)

Bethany Baptist Church

7422 N. Heinz Lane

This is a time of prayer and  connecting with moms that are anywhere in the process of fostering and/or adopting.  

Feel free to bring a friend.

Any Questions? Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

Safe Families for Children Host Training

Host Training is required for all Host Families, Respite Families, and Family Coaches.  Topics covered include intake and hosting processes, caring and connecting with children and families hosted and self care for host families.

Snacks will be available.  Childcare is not provided.  If childcare will be a concern and potential barrier to your attendance, please contact Ryan Mobley at 217-801-8225 or rmobley@safefamilies.net.

Safe Families for Children Host Family Training

Saturday, April 18, 2015

9:00-11:00am

Bethany Baptist Church

7422 N. Heinz Lane

Edwards, IL 61528

Sign up is greatly encouraged, see below. 

Host training family:  http://www.eventbrite.come/e/safe-families-for-children-host-family-training-tickets-15746491179

Note: If you have not taken the Core Training you can still do the Host Training.  You will need to complete both trainings prior to being approved.  

Core Training can be accessed on-line at www.safe-families.org.  Go to Volunteer interest form and fill out.  You will receive an email with information you need to be able to take the Core Training on-line.  

April Focused Fellowship

 
Attention Ladies!           Focused Fellowship

Monday, April 20, 2015

Time: 7-9 pm

Place:  LOCATION CHANGE:  Bethany Baptist Church
7422 N. Heinz Lane.  Prayer Room.

This is a time of prayer and connecting for moms anywhere in the process of fostering and/or adoption.  Come as you are and enjoy some sweet fellowship with like-minded women.

Feel free to bring a friend.

Any questions?  Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

Safe Families Live Webinar for Core Training

Interested in learning more about Safe Families but were unable to attend the live training?

Here is the link for the live webinar training for Safe Families for Children.  It is on Wednesday, March 25 from 6-8pm.  

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/safe-families-for-children-core-training-live-webinar-tickets-15839287736

 

Safe Families for Children

To learn more about Safe Families for Children www.safe-families.org

See Below for Training Dates in Peoria!

Safe Families for Children Core Training

Safe Families for Children CORE TRAINING

Saturday, March 21, 2015

9:00am - 11:00am

Bethany Baptist Church
7422 N. Heinz Lane
Edwards, IL  61528

Safe Families for Children is excited to offer live training for the Peoria region!

CORE Training of Safe Families will go over the distinctives of the ministry. Core Training is required of all volunteers. See below for Host Training date.

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/safe-families-for-children-core-training-tickets-15744808145

Snacks will be available.  Childcare is not provided.  If childcare will be a concern  and potential barrier to your attendance, please contact Ryan Mobley at 217-801-8225 or rmobley@safefamilies.net.

Safe Families for Children Host Training

Host Training is required for all Host Families, Respite Families, and Family Coaches.  Topics covered include intake and hosting processes, caring and connecting with children and families hosted and self care for host families.

Snacks will be available.  Childcare is not provided.  If childcare will be a concern and potential barrier to your attendance, please contact Ryan Mobley at 217-801-8225 or rmobley@safefamilies.net.

Safe Families for Children Host Family Training

Saturday, April 18, 2015

9:00-11:00am

Bethany Baptist Church

7422 N. Heinz Lane

Edwards, IL 61528

Sign up is greatly encouraged, see below. 

Host training family:  http://www.eventbrite.come/e/safe-families-for-children-host-family-training-tickets-15746491179

Safe Families for Children

March Focused Fellowship

 Mark your calendars!

Monday, March 16, 2015

Time: 7:00pm

Place: Monica's home, 1111 W. Burnside Dr., Peoria

This is an evening for ladies that are anywhere in the process of adopting.  The group is ever-changing so being a newbie isn't usually unusual.  Questions, concerns, need some input, it is very possible one of the ladies attending that evening has the information you are looking for.  We begin the evening with a devotion, time of prayer for our families, and a time to network with each other.

No need to RSVP to join us, we know how a day can go.  If you'd like to bring a snack to share that is wonderful, though not at all expected.  Feel free to invite a friend to join you.

Any questions? Monica 303-7965 or Amy 251-7250

Christian Adoptive Families Semi-Annual Picnic

You are invited to the the

 Christian Adoptive Families (CAF)
 Semi Annual Picnic

Sunday, March 1, 2015  at 5:00pm



at Northfield Cabin
21869 Illinois Route 9,  Tremont 

If coming, please bring a main dish AND either a side or dessert.

Drinks and paper products will be provided.

No need to RSVP.  

Hope to see you there!

This is an event put on by Christian Adoptive Families of Central Illinois

Open Hearts Open Homes Orphan Care Ministry Informational Meetings

If you have ever wondered what the Open Hearts, Open Homes Orphan Ministry does we have an opportunity for you!  The upcoming dates are set for an informational meeting at both Bethany Baptist Church and Bethany Community Church.

These meetings will give you an overview of the ministry and help you to see where you could possibly get plugged in.  You do not need to have the desire to open your particular home to a child or children to attend this meeting, simply have an interest in finding out why the ministry exists and how you could be a part of helping to care for children within our church family.

The following are the dates:  Stay tuned for more information.

Bethany Community Church - Sunday, March 1, 2015

     for questions you may contact Jill at tjgerst@hotmail.com

Bethany Baptist Church - Sunday, March 8, 2015

Time: 12:30pm in the Junior High Room, lunch will be served.

     for questions you may contact Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

Spring Orphan Care Bible Study

Mark Your Calendars!

Using the Bible and A Passion for the Fatherless the Spring  Orphan Care Bible Study will delve in to what does it mean to care for the fatherless today.

A Passion for the Fatherless looks at the Scriptural mandate to care for the orphaned, helps families to look at why we care for the fatherless, and what are some ways they can respond to God's call to care for the orphaned.

Topics covered include: 

1.  The Uniqueness of Christian Orphan Care

2.  Compassion, the Disenfranchised, and the Orphan

3.  The Theology of Adoption 

4.  Blessings, Missions, and Orphans

5.  When Not to Care for Orphans

6.  The Greatness of Godly Affliction

7.  Decision Making and Moving Forward

You do not need to have the desire to bring foster or adoptive children into your home to attend this study.  Simply having a heart to see what God's Word says about caring for "the least of these" is enough. 

Orphan Care Bible Study

Dates: Sunday, March 1, 8, 22, 29, April 19, 26, 2015

Time:  9:00am (during the Sunday School hour)

Place: Bethany Community Church, meeting at Five Points in Washington

          360 North Wilmor Road     

Taught By: Chuck Boysen

For further information contact: Seth at seth@bethanycommunitychurch.org

January Focused Fellowship Reminder

January Focused Fellowship

Ladies this night is for you!  If you are anywhere in the process of fostering and/or adoption consider joingus the ever-changing group of women as we meet for a devotion, time of prayer for our families, and networking.

We meet the third Monday of each month at 7pm.  Details for January follow.

Monday, January 19, 2015

Time: 7pm

Place:  Monica's home, 1111 W. Burnside Dr., Peoria

No need to RSVP simply show up just as you are.  We look forward to seeing you!

Can't make it in January?  Put February 16, 2015 on your calendar for next month.

Questions? Amy at levisix88@gmail.com or Monica at 303-7965.

                                                                                                                     

Open Hearts Open Homes Orphan Ministry Informational Meetings

If you have ever wondered what the Open Hearts, Open Homes Orphan Ministry does we have an opportunity for you!  The upcoming dates are set for an informational meeting at both Bethany Baptist Church and Bethany Community Church.

These meetings will give you an overview of the ministry and help you to see where you could possibly get plugged in.  You do not need to have the desire to open your particular home to a child or children to attend this meeting, simply have an interest in finding out why the ministry exists and how you could be a part of helping to care for children within our church family.

The following are the dates:  Stay tuned for more information.

Bethany Community Church - Sunday, March 1, 2015
     for questions you may contact Jill at tjgerst@hotmail.com

Bethany Baptist Church - Sunday, March 8, 2015
     for questions you may contact Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

Welcome to the Family!

(Belated)  Congratulations to 

Adam and Mindy

on their adoption of

Anyha!

Rejoicing with you!

John 14:18   “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."

Platt, Chan, Warren, Chapman on the CAFO Summit

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit 2015

April 30 - May 1, 2015

Nashville, TN

January Focused Fellowship

Ladies this night is for you!  If you are anywhere in the process of fostering and/or adoption consider joining this ever-changing group of women as we meet for a devotion, time of prayer for our families, and networking.  

We meet the third Monday of every month at 7pm.  So if you can't make it this month mark your calendar for next month.e,

Date:  ce: Monica's home, 1111 W. Burnside Dr., Peoria

While this ministry is a part of Open Hearts, Open Homes you do not need to be a Bethany attender to take part.  The group changes often, with new faces being very normal.  Come as you are, no need to RSVP. Feel free to bring a friend with you as well.  Not required but if you would like to bring a snack to share that'd be great.  

Any questions? Amy at levisix88@gmail.com or Monica at jonmon95@gmx.com

February's meeting date:  Monday, February 16, 2015

Welcome to the Family!

 Congratulations to 

Wayne and Brittany

on their adoption of

Camryn!

Praising the Lord for putting this family together!