[Jody M]

Hello from Jody, adoptee and facilitator of Christian Adoptee Forum on the Faith-based forums here on adoption.com. I also lead a local adoption triad support group called Adoptees, Birth Parents and Adoptive Parents Together at my church monthly. I have lead this kind of awesome support group/ministry for over 11 years, first in Indianapolis IN where we lived, and for the past almost 8 years in Wheaton, IL. near Chicagoland. I am a member of the church where the group is held (Faith Evangelical Covenant Church- Wheaton) and soon to be a Deacon again. The group is open to the public and is not a "Christian" group, but because I am a Christian and lead the group- it definately is run with a Christian flavor. I openly share my faith in and through my adoption story and so do many other regular members who are Christians. Many persons who come to the group are facing some emotional challenges in their adoption journey and are very open to the encouragement through faith in God, the Bible and prayer. At the meetings I share copies of the free 20 page Christian outreach publication I edit, Adoption Blessings Journal. All the stories, poems, articles, book reviews, testimonies in the journal focus on faith in God through one's adoption, adoption search, adoption reunion and healing. I have found it to be an exciting ministry -helping provide a safe place for persons touched by adoption to meet one another, share their experiences- joys and challenges and openly express their emotions/unresolved grief/loss issues without judgement.
Would be interested to here if others have an adoption ministry at their church? Share about it- thanks!
Jody Moreen, adoptee,
Editor, Adoption Blessings Journal

[Margiebill]

I am an adoptee, adoptive mother and am involved in adoption ministry in our church. Last November, we celebrated National Adoption month in our church, with a video of adopted kids in our church and a dance we did to Steven Curtis Chapman's song "All I Want for Christmas". We also had tables with info from different agencies.

We've hosted 1 adoption info seminar for those interested.

We are in the planning stages of an adoption support group ~ any tips or resources you would suggest?

We are also beginning an adoption fund.

I appreciate your passion! Margie

[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.

[patti Daniels]

Our church does not have an adoption support group. We live in a small town and I really do not believe they understand anything about adoption. My daughter was in the youth group and the youth minister was not supportive. He never helped her during the time she was meeting her biological family. The youth minister and preacher knew what she was going through because I tried to talk to them about it. They ignored the situation. I really love my church family and I have decided that they just did not understand. We go to a First Baptist Church and my husband has been a member since he was 12. My daughter joined at age 9. I joined after I married my husband over 25 years ago. Hope this answers your question.

[Jody M]

Thanks Patti for sharing and sadly- there is much need among churches to have adoption education regarding the issues/ life-long dynamics of adoption for those touched by it. We can educate persons as we share our stories and help them to learn. I too have faced this ignorance at some churches I have attended in the past. We can donate books to the library that educate persons on adoption also. Thanks Patti for sharing you and your daughter's experience regarding your church- it may be more common than you know.
Blessings, Jody Moreen, adoptee

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

[TeddyBearMom]

Hi Jody

My name is Sheila. I have an adopted son and we are in the process of being matched with a little girl. My son was an older child placement and so will be the little girl. You mentioned your magazine Adoption Blessings Journal. Do you have a website for the magazine? I would be interested in receiving it?

Thanks

[Jody M]

Thanks Sheila for the message and God's blessings on your upcoming adoption of your dear daughter. If you put the words "Adoption Blessings Journal" in any search engine it will lead you to the website. You can click on my name and send me a private message and I can send you my e-mail address. You can then e-mail me your name/address and zipcode for a complimentry copy of Adoption Blessings Journal.
Blessing to you Sheila and your family!
Jody Moreen, adoptee

[kellypmomof3]

Hi Jody,
I was wondering if you had any info on how to get an adoption ministry started at our church?

[Jody M]

Hi Kelly! Thanks for writing and sorry for my delay in responding- my adoptive sister died after a long illness and I was in Florida helping my adoptive mom with her memorial. Regarding starting an adoption support group at your church as I did, I will share how I came to begin mine.
First, I had attended adoption triad support groups while living in Indiana for a couple years. So I had been experienced observing others facilitators lead the group- my backround is a BA in Psychology and a Human Services Certificate with an emphasis on Crisis Pregnancy and Adoption. When I moved to Illinois I found no local adoption groups close by that focused on adoption, or adoption search and reunions for those from the closed adoption era. So, I first put some ads in the newspaper saying " Adoption triad support forming in the western Suburbs of Chicago area for adult adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents. A group for sharing adoption experiences, emotional support, and education. And I included a phone number and my first name for inquiries. After 12 persons responded positively and showed interest, I asked my church pastor and trustee board if I might be able to use a church room, monthly for the group- they said yes. When persons called me I had a spiral notebook to record their name, address, phone number and e-mail and information regarding days/times that were best for them to meet in the evenings. After reviewing those I picked a time best suited for the majority and posted the information in the local newspapers ( free of charge for support groups). I called the persons and believe I sent postcards sharing about the first meeting. I have collected adoption books for many years so I had a small lending library and wonderful copies of Fact Sheets found on Adoption Information Clearinghouse website- they have LOTS of great 5 page fact sheets that they allow to be copied with great overview articles on many topics of adoption. For the meeting I set up chairs in a circle and also supplied coffee and light refreshments, (later members donated these items each meeting) I took a voluntary offering in an envelope passed around the group- and there is no pressure to contribute. The money covered paper goods, name tags and coffee supplies and sometimes some new adoption books for the library. My group has been meeting 9 years and I have LOVED leading it and meeting new persons all the time touched by adoption.
Hope this is helpful and if you have any more questions, let me know!
Blessings, Jody Moreen

[Jody M]

Do any of your churches have an adoption ministry or support group? Share if you have one and any info or if you have persons interested in beginning an adoption ministry.Thanks, Jody.

[jeremiahforchrist]

I would like to see the church get more involved in the foster care system. It seems like there are not enough avenues for the body of christ to get involved in the lives of alot of the older kids who are harder to adopt out and are basically stuck in the current foster care system. There are two options on each end of the spectrum and nothing in between open to people who want to be involved in the lives of these kids.

1- Get married and adopt/foster some kids. Not an option for single people. Unfortunately, there's also not enough people willing to do this who are married.

2-Make a career out of working in a foster
care facility. Lacks the warmth of a home environment. Sometimes likened to a prison (though they have come a long way since the turn of the previous century)

There is the third option of being a mentor, but this doesn't really provide a substitute for the parent/child relationship (please correct me if I'm wrong) I think when we live life next to someone is when we build the deep relationships neccesary for real healing and redeption to begin. A once a week game of catch for an hour or two is good, but if you want to really want to show love to them, a more immersed relationship is needed. From talking to home directors, it doesn't seem like the mentors keep at it very long either.

When I go to church, the kids there are loved, and they know they are loved. I see them on sunday morning, on sunday night, an wednesday night and usually anouther day along the week. If the church could be this immersed in the daily life of an average foster care facility, I think we'd see much fruit. Also, maybe if there was a midsized FCF, halfway between a real home and a FCF, or kind of like a house church.

Anouther good thing could be if we could open the doors of our churches and hold an outreach for these kids, a chance for for all diferent personalities in our church to interact with all the different personalities of kids. This way each kid could be loved uniquely and personally. This could be an ongoing thing like once a week, along with personal visitations to the FCF by members of the church. Kind of like a partnership.

Sorry if I got off subject, but these ideas have been swimming around in my mind for a while. I'd appreciate any feedback any of you might have.

[Jody M]

Thanks for your post and an excellent proposal for churches to become involved in caring for foster children that have no family and desperately need to feel loved, encouraged and special. The church is a "family" and this might be a way for persons to become comfortable and it may touch the hearts of some and they may chose to foster or adopt. A non-threatening way for persons to connect with these precious children and develop relationships, hopefully resulting in some lasting relationships, foster care or adoption. I have not seen this and wonder if foster care agencies have thought of this as a good avenue for support and to gracefully expose the need of these children. By not seeing the children or becoming involved, persons can ignore this need- but when they meet these special children and interact with them and know their need- God may touch their heart to reach out and bring a child into their home to foster or adopt.
Thanks again!
Jody

[jeremiahforchrist]

There is an international christian agency that I heard about that pretty much matches the vision of what I had posted earlier. It's called World Orphans. They have built over 500 childrens homes wordwide. They always build the homes in partnership with local churches. Sometimes they'll have the first floor be the church, and kids will live upstairs. I so want to go visit one of their homes. I want to talk to the people in the churches and see the kids and just see the whole place. It sound awesome to me. If anybody would like to visit their website, it is: World Orphans

[adopting_again]

Wow, Jody, thanks for this. I have been tossing the idea of starting some sort of group at my church (we have many adoptive families). I like the idea of making it an outreach. Originally I had thought of a simple playgroup, chance for moms/dads to get together while kids were playing nearby, but I'm a bit on the control freak side and I think free-play for 2 hours with a bunch of kiddos going wild in the gym while the parents chat would make me insane. I hope you don't mind if as I embark on this I converse with you about what's going on?!
Melanie

[dakotabluebaby]

My church New Life of Desher PA has an adoption group called Abba Father ministeries, we also provide support for pregnant Teens and foster parents.

just wanted to add my two cents!!!!