April Focused Fellowship

Monday, April 17, 2017

Time: 7-9 pm

Place: Bethany Baptist Church - Prayer Room
           7422 North Heinz Lane, Edwards

Ladies anywhere in the process of fostering or adoption are welcome to join us for an evening of prayer for our families, encouragement, and conversation.  We want to meet you right where you are and come alongside each other as we follow the path of caring for those that need families.  Some of you will be new in this journey, others well-seasoned.

Come as you are, bring a friend if you'd like, a snack to share if it fits your schedule.

Questions? Amy Park 251-7250.

Note: We meet the third Monday of each month.  May meeting: May 15.

EXPANDED FOCUS FELLOWSHIP! With Jen Walbridge

An EXPANDED Focus Fellowship! With Guest Jen Walbridge from The Babyfold

Monday, November 21, 2016

TIME: 6:00-9:00pm 
(If you can't come until 7:00pm, that is ok too. We would like to maximize our time with Jen for those that are in need of practical application.)

Bring your sack lunch/carry-out supper.

Jen Walbridge from The Babyfold, will join us from 6:00pm-8:00pm to talk about parenting kids from hard places. We will talk through our dinner time. Jen will leave at 8:00pm and then we will take time to pray for our families.

Jen has met with a group of moms regularly and she has great insight and training which has been very helpful. Jen is a great resource!

Place: Bethany Baptist Church, 7422 N Heinz Lane

Come as you are, you can bring food from home or your favorite carry-out place. Bring a friend if you would like.

Questions?: Amy 251-7250.

 

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

Focused Fellowship

          June Focused Fellowship

Monday, June 20, 2016

Time: 7-9pm

Place:  Note Change for this Month Only: Bethany Baptist Church, 7422 N. Heinz Lane

Ladies anywhere in the process of fostering and/or adoption are welcome to join us as we do real life together.  We will spend time praying for our families and networking with each other.  Come and be encouraged and be an encouragement to others.

No need to RSVP, come as you are and feel free to bring a friend with you.

Any questions? Amy at levisix88@gmail.com or 309-251-7250.

Welcome to the Family!

Congratulations to

Joe and Ginger 

on the addition of 

Daniel to their family!

 

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

1 Samuel 1:27 

         May Focused Fellowship
             A ministry of Bethany Baptist Church - Open Hearts, Open Homes Ministry           

Date: Monday, May 16, 2016

Time: 7-9pm

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

Join us for an evening of being refreshed with other like-minded adoptive and foster moms (anywhere in the process).  We will spend some time in prayer for our families and encourage one another.

No need to RSVP - please come as you are and feel free to bring a friend.  New ladies are often there so don't worry about not knowing someone, it is your chance to find a kindred spirit.  If you would like to bring a snack to share please do, but no pressure.

Any questions?  Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

Can't make it - mark your calendars for the third Monday of each month.

Focused Fellowship - Bethany Community Church

                   

Reminder this Thursday, April 20th is Focused Fellowship at The Blend!!

 Open to anyone who is fostering or adopting or considering. We would love to have you join us! Let me know if you can make it or just show up that night! 

Time:  7-9pm.

Questions?  Jill at tjgerst@hotmail.com

 

                    Congratulations                                                      
                        to

               Josh and Janea!

                   Welcome to the family Jade and Jude!

                "Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him."  Psalm 37:4

Welcome Home!

Congratulations to Philip and Charisa!

Welcome Home Henry!

"In his heart a man plans his course,
 but the Lord determines his steps."  Proverbs 16:9

April Focused Fellowship!

LOCATION CHANGE FOR APRIL ONLY

Date: Monday, April 18th

Time: 7-9pm

Location for April only: Panera at Westlake Shopping Center

Ladies if you are anywhere in the process of fostering and/or adoption this evening is for you.  We invite you to join us as we do life together with other ladies who understand this part of your life.  Join us for an evening of fellowship.  Want to bring a friend - Sure thing!

Questions? Amy at levisix88@gmail.com

March Focused Fellowship

           
           March Focused Fellowship

Date: Monday, March 21, 2016

Time: 7-9pm

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

Focused Fellowship is here to support women anywhere in the process of fostering and/or adoption.  Join us as we spend time in prayer for our families, network together, and generally encourage one another on this great adventure. 

Come as you are, no need to RSVP, bring a friend or a snack to share, if you'd like.
 Any questions? Monica at 309-303-7965 or Amy at 309-251-7250.

Next 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: Mondays, February 15, 22, 29 and March 7, 14 

Time: 6:00-7:30pm

Place: Bethany Community Church, Room 101

       

Taught By: Daniel Bennett

For further information contact: ohoh@bethanycommunitychurch.org 

February Focused Fellowship

               
  Monday,February 15th - 7pm-9pm

Monica's home - 1111 W Burnside Dr. Peoria

 Jen Walbridge from The Baby Fold will be joining us this evening to talk about TBRI (Trust-based Relational Intervention) questions.

 If you have a question ready please email Jen at jwalbridge@thebabyfold.org with the subject line: Focused Fellowship. This will help Jen to make the most of her time (she has to leave at 8:30pm) and perhaps have some resources in hand. Thank you ladies!

Focused Fellowship is a monthly meeting for ladies anywhere in the process of foster and/or adoption and Safe Families that allows ladies to connect with others in similar life situations.  We spend time with a short devotional, time of prayer for our families, and sharing our journey together.  

There is no need to RSVP, come as you where when you can.  Bring a friend and if you'd like a treat to share.  

questions? Monica 303-7965 or Amy 251-7250

Christian Adoptive Families notice

Christian Adoptive Families of Central Illinois is gathering.

Our Winter CAF Gathering will be Sunday February 21st 5pm

at "the Cabin" (west of Tremont one mile on Route 9)

Please bring a main dish and a side OR dessert to share.

Also, for those of you who attend our Adoption Support Group,

this will serve as a "combined" event, since we

missed our January meeting.

We hope to pick up again with our support group in March!

Hope to see you February 21st at 5pm!

(No need to RSVP)

  This is not a ministry of Open Hearts Open Homes Ministry but could be a valuable way for you to connect with other families.

January Focused Fellowship

 
January Focused Fellowship

Monday, January 18, 2016

Time: 7-9pm

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

Let's consider: What is the greatest need we have?

Focused Fellowship is here to support women anywhere in the process of fostering and/or adoption.  Join us as we spend time in prayer for our families, network together, and generally encourage one another on this great adventure.

Come as you are, no need to RSVP, bring a friend or a snack to share, if you'd like.
 Any questions? Monica at 309-303-7965 or Amy at 309-251-7250.

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