[Jody M]

Hello from Jody, adoptee and facilitator of Christian Adoptee Forum on the Faith-based forums. 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

[poppy]

Jody~~~ Our church does not have an adoption anything. I really wish they did as we are going thru this journey on our own. However, God has been speaking to me lately about starting one. Since we announced our adoption plans one couple has started looking into international adoption also. Only the Lord knows where it will go ..... and I'm definitely ready for the ride.

[momraine]

Our church doesn't either, but it's a very small church in a very small town.

[GCS]

Hi Jody,
We belong to a large Catholic parish in Bloomingdale - just a few minutes from you.
We talked to our pastor about forming an adoption group but there wasnt a lot of interest at that time.
We plan on bringing up again.

Christina

[woozle]

We actually have one that started right around the time we started the adoption process. Right now there are four families in it, one being one of the pastors from our church. We have a range of situations, from our domestic infant adoption, a foster to adopt, a China adoption and an Ethiopian adoption. We meet once a month, and started when we were all in the begining or middle stages of the process, but now have two kiddos home.

[Kassiah]

Our Church (in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) has a great adoption support group. It is mostly people who are interested in adoption or have already adopted. If you are interested in checking it out, you can view the webpage at http://www.healingplacechurch.org/adoption.php

[Jody M]

Thanks for those who shared here- appreciate hearing about your groups! I want to emphasize how wonderful again our group has been for me personally- including all sides of adoption- adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents. How much I have learned and grown from hearing adoption from the perspective of all touched by it- Many in my group comment on how they have loved this element of our group and we rejoice in the meetings when all parties in adoption are represented. We have grown to understand adoption in a bigger way and how we can be sensitive to each other and honor one another. If your group is not like this consider having some days where you invite other sides of the adoption triad or have a panel of persons one meeting sharing about their side of adoption. Adoptees from our group went to Willow Creek Community Church (the MEGA church with Bill Hybels in South Barrington IL) to speak with their Moms Through Adoption group- what a great time we adoptees had sharing with adoptive parents, answering their questions and sharing our thoughts and honesty growing up adopted.
Blessings, Jody Moreen
Naperville, IL.

[MichelleSchultz]

Hi all, I'm new to these boards, and new to adoption (researching stage, made contact with county DFCS, attending orientation in July). However, I wanted to pass on this great resource for Christian's who are adopting. It's not with a church in particular, but it is decidedly Christian. The website is http://www.familylife.com/hopefororphans/ . They have seminars they give, and I plan to attend one in September...and they are only $20 per person!


Blessings,
Michelle

[Jody M]

Thanks Michelle for sharing this website. Family Life with Dennis and Barb Rainey have some wonderful Christian radio programs and resources. They are adoptive parents who have biological children and adopted. I highly respect their ministry and outreach. Appreciate the post!

Blessings Jody

See my new Adoption Blog
Adoptees Cafe: Devotions for Adopted Persons
www.adopteescafe.blogspot.com