[Jody M]

Hi Margie- You have laid some great groundwork for an adoption group at your church with the seminar you hosted. For the group I started I got permission from the church to use a room one night a month for free. I then posted ads in local newspapers in their community calendar's or support groups/club/group listings that said Adoption Triad Support group forming for adult adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents. Sharing adoption stories, emotional support, adoption education and adoption search resources. I had collected a little library over the years of adoption books from all vantage points- many used from sales, garage sales, library discards and some new. I also went online to Adoption Information Clearinghouse and they have wonderful 5 page fact sheets on mant aspects of adoption all all sides that include a great overview on the topic- and then a bibliography of books and also some resources, organizations with contact info. These fact sheets can be ordered- 1 free for each person and than copies - also have them ready to print online- great handouts on LOTS Of topics of adoption.
When I got 12 interested persons- I set a date and time and then wrote papers and called back the interested persons- that was 8 years ago. And over 250 different persons have come through our local group- open to the public. Meetings are 2 hours in length and are mainly sharing round the circle- sometimes a topic is shared to encourage some discussion. I take donations in an offering envelope to offset costs of name tags- sign in sheets and light refreshments (some members share in bringing refreshments (usually have one healthy snack - veggies/crackers cheese or fruit and a goodie sweet snack and coffee or soft drinks is season.
Hope you get a group started- I am so glad I started one and have met so many new friends touched by adoption!
God's blessings, Jody

Compiler of "Letters and Reflections to My Adopted Daughters" 2005, Pleasantword Publishers- penned by John Newton, 1700's English hymnwriter, pastor and adoptive father of his wife's 2 orphaned nieces.