Adoption Ministry
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. - Ephesians 1:5
A Ministry Match!
St. Luke’s Children’s Ministry – Adoption Ministry
Late 2008 St. Luke’s made a decision to add an outreach aspect to our Children’s Ministry. Through the years, this area of ministry primarily focused on the spiritual development and care of our children. No question, that’s what our focus should be. Yet, we began to ask, “Should we look beyond ourselves?”, “Are we teaching our children enough about serving others?”, “Would our children actually grow spiritually by serving others?” In her book, Inside Out Families, Diana Garland writes, “The fruit of family service,…, is not only a deeper understanding of one another and of what God is doing in the world but also the reordering of a family’s values and time together. It is the communal service… that will develop in children and adolescents a resilient faith that will carry them into adulthood – and ultimately, prove essential to maintaining a resilient faith in congregational life.”
About halfway through seminary, Amy Bezecny’s heart and eyes were opened to the idea of an adoption ministry that would bridge the gap between the adoption/foster care system and local churches. As part of her 2008 internship responsibility she was to “make something happen.” She was to begin or significantly grow a ministry requiring more participation of several people and take months to complete. Her vision was to mobilize St. Luke’s to become a supportive adoption community. At the time she wrote, “I believe St. Luke’s could embrace this ministry, flourish, and witness God’s kingdom in ways beyond our imagination.”
Well, the timing was right and the match was made. Simply stated, it makes sense that Adoption ministry is a part of children’s ministry. It’s a way for our congregation to serve children in the community and it’s a perfect opportunity for children and families to participate together. St. Luke’s believes every child deserves a forever family. We encourage you to click on each tab to see what we are doing, what we would like to do, and how you can participate.
Want to start right away?
Take this moment to pray with your family or close group of friends:
A prayer for all
Dear God,
Day in and day out you are with us. We are not alone and we are so thankful for this. Help us God, to notice one another and what a blessing it is to share our joys and struggles with one another each day. With all our hearts, mind, and strength we love you, God. Help us love each other like this. Yet, don’t stop there, God. Help us look beyond our own families and friends to those who feel alone or hopeless, to those without a Mom or Dad, to those who need someone to share their joys and struggles each day. Use us God, to show them that you will always be with them. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.
A prayer for small children
Dear God,
Thank you for my family and friends. Thank you for the things we do together each day. Help me love you and my family. Teach me to love all the children that need new forever families. Amen
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
