September Focused Fellowship

Date: Monday, September 19, 2016

Time: 7-9pm

Place: Bethany Baptist Church, 7422 N. Heinz Lane, Edwards

This evening is for ladies anywhere in the process of fostering and/or adoption.  Join us as we meet for a devotion, a time of prayer for our families, and a time to connect with other like-minded ladies.  The discussion is real life.  It is our hope that this evening will refresh and renew you to walk through the days that the Lord has brought to you.

Come as you are.  Bring a friend if you'd like.  Snacks are optional.  No need to RSVP but if you have questions contact Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

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!

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

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

Sorry Ladies, Monica's family has begun the stomach flu and Amy has a little one recovering so we are having to cancel for tonight.  Check out the December Focused Fellowship post.  
November Focused Fellowship

Ladies anywhere in the process of foster and/or adoption it is that time again!  Join us for an evening of devotion, prayer, and fellowship as we walk with each other on this sometimes crazy and ever changing journey that the Lord has brought us to.

When: Monday, November 17, 2014

Time: 7pm

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

No need to RSVP, come as you are.  You are welcome to bring a friend or a snack to share with you.

We meet on the third Monday of each month so if you can't make it in November put it on your calendar for next month.  This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded moms and to encourage one another.

Any questions?  Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

October Focused Fellowship

   

    October Focused Fellowship

Are you a foster mom? Adoptive mom? Join us on the third Monday of each month for an evening of prayer and fellowship.  It is our desire that you would find refreshment as you meet with other like-minded ladies.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Time:  7:00pm

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

Please come as you are.  Bring a friend if you would like.  Want a snack? Bring one to share.

Any questions? Contact Monica at 303-7965 or Amy at 251-7250.

    September Focused Fellowship

Monday, September 15, 2014

7:00pm 

Where:  Home of Monica, 1111 W. Burnside Dr., Peoria

No need to RSVP, come as you are.  Bring a friend if you would like or a small snack to share.


Focused Fellowship is for ladies that are anywhere in the process of fostering and/or adopting.  We meet monthly, on the third Monday at 7pm.  We have a devotion, a time of prayer for our families, and a time of sharing how the Lord is working in our families.  It is a wonderful evening to network with other like-minded ladies on the topic of orphan care.

Note: If there ever is a need to change locations we will post that ASAP on this blog and the Focused Fellowship Facebook page.

Focused Fellowship is a ministry arm of Open Hearts, Open Homes Orphan Ministry and desires to point women to the Lord as they follow Him in caring for children.  You do not have to be a member of a Bethany church to attend.

We hope to see you there!

Questions?  Contact Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

           August Focused Fellowship

For ladies anywhere in the process of fostering and/or adoption.  Join us for an evening of encouragement and renewal.  We will begin our evening with a short devotion, prayer for our families and sharing where we all are in this amazing journey the Lord has placed us on.

You will have an opportunity to meet some ladies that are like-minded in caring for their families.

Date: Monday, August 18

Time: 7:00pm

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

No need to RSVP, come as you are.  If you desire, bring a friend or a snack to share.

Can't make it this month?  We meet the third Monday of each month.  Check in on this blog for information.

Questions? Email Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

Christian Adoptive Families* Summer Picnic

  CAF* Summer Picnic

Sunday,August 24, 2014

5pm

Tremont City Park (small shelter)

Bring a main dish and side dish or dessert to share

Tableware and drink provided.

Hope to see you there!

Note: This is not an Open Hearts, Open Homes Ministry event but an opportunity to connect with other adoptive families from Central Illinois.  There have been families from the Bethany Fellowship Community that have enjoyed these get-togethers.

June Focused Fellowship!

        

Ladies! Join us for an evening of renewal and fellowship.  Ladies anywhere in the process of adopting and/or fostering are welcome.

We will have a devotion, time of prayer for our families and time to talk and encourage one another.


June Focused Fellowship

Monday, June 16, 2014

Time: 7pm

Home of Monica:  1111 W. Burnside Dr. Peoria

No need to RSVP, simply come as you are and bring a friend and/or a snack with you.  If you have questions: Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

Focused Fellowship meets each month on the third Monday.  

April Focused Fellowship

April Focused Fellowship

Monday, April 21

Time: 7pm

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

This is an evening of prayer and support for ladies anywhere in the process of fostering or adopting.

Join us as we spend some time in God's word, pray for our families, and encourage one another.

No need to RSVP.  Feel free to bring a friend.  If you'd like, bring a small snack to share.

Please come as you are, we'd love to meet you right where you are.

Any questions, contact Amy - levisix88@gmail.com

March Focused Fellowship

   

Foster and/or Adoptive Moms or Moms in the Process of Fostering/Adoption

It is our desire to walk along with you as you go through the journeying of parenting.  Join with us as we take some time in Scripture, spend time Praying, and Networking together. The desired outsome: refreshment and renewal for you which in turn benefits your family!

Date: Monday, February 17, 2014Cancelled due to weather

(We always meet on the third Monday of the month)

Time: 7:00pm

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

No need to RSVP, feel free to bring a friend and if you would like, a snack to share.

While this is a ministry of Open Hearts, Open Homes Orphan Ministry from the Bethany Fellowship of Churches it is open to any foster and/or adoptive mom.

Questions? Monica at 303-7965 or Amy 251-7250

September Focused Fellowship

         Focused Fellowship

September 16, 2013

What is Focused Fellowship?  -  An evening for ladies anywhere in the process of fostering/adoption to meet together for prayer, support, and encouragement.  Whether you are in the beginning stages or walking through the day-to-day, we think you will find something for you.  

We meet the third Monday of each month, rain or shine.  We have found that when we cancelled for a special holiday the women just met at a Starbucks, so once in a while we change the meeting place due to illness or vacation but that is rare. (If we change the place we will post it on the blog and the Focused Fellowship Facebook page.)

Bring yourself, bring a friend, if you'd like you can bring a snack to share, but the only thing you really need is you.

In September we will have a special guest, Peggy Corra.  Peggy has a degree in counseling and great insight into children that have come from hard places.  Peggy joined us a couple of months ago and was great at helping us to understand the effects of trauma and loss on a young child.  

Where?  Monica's home, 1111 W Burnside Dr. Peoria

Time?  7pm 

No need to RSVP, just come.

Questions?  Email Amy at levisix88@gmail.com or ask on the FB page.

July Focused Fellowship - Note Location Change

July Focused Fellowship!

Foster and/or Adoptive Moms! It's just about time for some prayer, fellowship, and encouragement.  We look forward to seeing you all this month!

Please note the location change for July only.

Date: Monday, July 15, 2013

Time: 7pm (Panera is open until 10pm)

Place: Panera Bread,  1101 W Bird Blvd, Peoria.  

Note: this is the Panera at the North end of Knoxville Ave, just north of Northpoint Shopping Center.

Focused Fellowship meets the third Monday of each month at 7pm.  Normally in Monica's home.  We meet for a time of setting our minds on Christ, praying for each other and encouraging and sharing with one another as we parent the families that the Lord has placed us in.  If you are a foster and/or adoptive mom you are welcome to attend.  Feel free to bring a friend.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

June Focused Fellowship

Ladies - This month's Focused Fellowship has a great opportunity!

Join us: Monday, June 17, 2013

Time: 7pm

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

This month we will have a guest speaker at Focused Fellowship. Peggy Corra will join us to share her heart for adoptive moms and what she has learned about children that have been fractured by difficult circumstances in their lives.  Below is an excerpt from an email that she sent to Monica:

 "I truly have a heart for foster moms and adoptive moms. They (you!) are surgeons in this fallen world, trying to put back together the pieces of the children who have been broken by people and forces beyond any of our power to control. They (you) place their hands in the Lord's tight grasp, trusting and relying on Him to join them with Himself in making miracles happen, to bring healing and hope to the forgotten, broken, lost parts of these children. (**Insight: I learned that when Jesus said He came "to seek and to save the lost," we all tend to think He meant lost (unsaved) people. Actually the meaning is much broader than that and includes lost parts of all of us, for every time we are harmed or scarred or traumatized, we deal with the pain by sealing away the parts of ourselves that are tied to the pain. Jesus' meaning was that He came to seek out all our lost, scattered, broken pieces and put us back together. He came to make us whole! How cool is that?!?**)"

All ladies anywhere in the process of fostering and/or adoption are welcome to join us as we pray and encourage each other.

Please let me know if you have any questions, contact Amy at levisix@frontier.com

Dates to Remember

(Tonight) Monday, May 20 - Focused Fellowship - 7pm - Home of Monica Lonergan, 1111 W. Burnside Dr., Peoria

For ladies anywhere in the fostering or adoption adventure!  We meet for a devotion, prayer, sharing, and encouragement.  No need to RSVP, bring a snack to share if you would like.  

Focused Fellowship meet the third Monday of each month.

This Thursday, May 23 from 6-7pm is the Foster Care Prayer Vigil at Bethany Baptist Church (Senior High Room).  

This is in conjunction with National Foster Care month and the National Foster Care Prayer Vigil through Cry of the Orphan.  We will pray for the 400,000+ children in foster care and all those that are involved in the decisions that affect their lives and those that care for them.  Join us for this special time of prayer.

Mark your calendars for the OHOH Family Picnic - Saturday, August 3, 2013 - 4:30pm.  Details will follow.  This is a great time to get together with other families that are fostering and/or adopting.  One family noted that getting together was a great experience for their adopted child as she got to see many other kids that were just like her!    We will send out more details closer to the time.

Questions?  Amy at levisix@frontier.com

Save the Dates!

Foster Care Prayer Vigil  -

In conjunction with National Foster Care Month and the National Foster Care Prayer Vigil the Open Hearts Open Homes Orphan Care Ministry is hosting a Foster Care Prayer Vigil.

We will meet to pray for the over 400,000 children that are in foster care across the nation as well as all those that are involved in the process such as social workers, clinicians, judges, attorneys, foster parents, and birth parents.  Come and join us as we join in prayer with many others across the nation to bring these children before the Lord in prayer.

Place: Bethany Baptist Church, 7422 N Heinz Lane, Edwards, IL

Date:  Thursday, May 23, 2013

Time:  6-7pm

Room:  Senior High Room

Any questions?  Amy @ 266-1635

For more information about this national event see: http://www.cryoftheorphan.org/Overview.aspx
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Spring Social - 

Stay tuned for more details for our Open Hearts Open Homes Orphan Ministry Family Picnic.

Date:  Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 4pm.  Stay tuned for a new date!

Focused Fellowship

Spring!

  "And let us consider how we can spur one another on towards love and good deeds."  Hebrews 10:24      

Focused Fellowship exists to encourage ladies that are anywhere in the process of fostering and/or adopting.  Whether you are in the 'considering' stage or in the midst of parenting a foster or adoptive child you are welcome to join us as we take time to consider how to serve the Lord as we walk through our days, have a devotion, take time to pray for each other and share practical ideas to reach out to our children.  

We meet the third Monday of each month so please join us!

Monday, March 18, 2013  at 7:00pm.

We meet at the home of Monica at 1111 W Burnside Dr., Peoria. 

If you have any questions please contact Amy at 251-7250.  

Feel free to bring a friend.  If you are inclined you may bring a snack to share.  There is no need to RSVP, we don't want you to ever feel that you can't decide at the last moment to join us.  

                                            

Focused Fellowship this Monday, Feb. 25th

 Remember Ladies - 

Focused Fellowship had a date change for this month only.

Monday, Feb. 25th at 7pm

Home of Monica at 1111 W Burnside Dr., Peoria.

No need to RSVP.  Feel free to bring a friend.

Any questions?  Amy at levisix@frontier.com

11-Week Local Class re: Kids from Hard Places

Kids that have been through harmful experiences (such as difficult or stressful pregnancy, difficult birth, premature or early medical trauma abuse, neglect, trauma) can have impaired development leading to social, behavioral and emotional problems. It's hard for these kids to really trust and connect.  

We are again offering an 11-week class for parents and caregivers to help your child overcome the effects of trauma, neglect, or abuse and to aid in your child's journey of healing.

Contact: Don and DeAnn Fraser 309-691-7526, poiema_kids@att.net (RSVP helpful but not necessary)

Location: 2261 Hollands Grove Rd, Washington IL 61571. 

Time: 7:00—9:00 pm

Dates: Tuesday evenings, February 26 — May 14. (excluding March 12)