Welcome to
Family Notes!

Vol. 1, No. 1
March 1998

Lutheran Family Association is pleased to introduce this newsletter for Family Friendly Congregations. The purpose is to connect you with ideas and experiences from a variety of sources. Family Notes will be published every other month, beginning with this issue. We hope you find it useful for building your congregation's family ministry.

Perspectives
More babies are born out of wedlock among 20-something adults than among teenagers according to the May 19, 1997 article in U.S. News and World Report. Most of the current social problems related to sexual behavior, especially sexually transmitted diseases and abortions, occur among young adults, not teens, article says.

The odds children face: In the U.S., 1 in 2 preschoolers has a mother in the labor force… 1 in 2 will live in a single parent household at some point in childhood… 1 in 2 never completes a single year of college… 1 in 3 is born to unmarried parents… 1 in 4 is born poor. The figures are reported in The State of America's Children Yearbook 1997 from Children's Defense Fund. Also see http://www.childrensdefense.org.

Connections
A month of home-centered activities was part of ongoing emphasis on the home as the primary agency for faith formation at Concordia, Kirkwood, MO. The church's schedule was adjusted to emphasize home time: All boards met on one night… the staff held each other account-able for a day off a week… boards adjusted activities to allow home time… church programs were intentionally home-centered. Contact Ben Freudenburg, (314) 822-7222.

"Fathers" is a ministry to help fathers exercise spiritual leadership in their homes, promote family relationships and develop commitment to Jesus Christ. Offered by Trinity-Kalispell, MT, it includes regular sessions on "effective dadhood." Contact Pastor Darrell Reiner, (406) 257-5683.

MOMMYS is a twice-monthly activity at Zion-Belleville, IL. "Mothers of Mostly Marvelous Youngsters" sets parenting topics for a full years; meets on first and third Wednesdays. Sitters and craft projects are provided for preschool kids. Zion uses the program to reach military move-ins to community. It's modeled after program at St. Paul-Decatur, IL. Information: Zion's coordinator, Kay Beasley (618) 257-8736 or St. Paul's pastor, Wray Offerman, (217) 423-6955.

Christ-centered parenting is the focus of monthly "foundation Builders," at Lord of Glory-Elk River, MN. It starts with family activity, then pastor meets with parents, and children go into small groups. They close with singing and prayer. Families receive a handout with weekly devotion helps. November theme was "How to De-Simpson'ize Your Family" (healthy Christian values and relationships). Contact Pastor Monte Meyer, montem@juno.com or (612) 263-3090.

Events
Children at Risk/Children of Promise is a symposium March 22-24 at the Carter Center in Atlanta, GA. Church, school and community leaders will address critical needs of children, faith-based models for action… connections to positively impact children's lives with love and faith. Registration ($150) includes some meals, tour of Carter Center and books. Sponsors: LCMS Child Ministry, Human Care and Wheat Ridge. Information: (314) 965-9917, extension 1382.

Lutheran schools and family ministry is focus of conference for teachers, administrators, counselors and pastors, March 12-14 at Sheraton Wesport Inn, St. Louis. "The Family Ministry of Lutheran Schools" is sponsored by LCMS School Ministry with Parents and Teachers in Lutheran Schools. Information: (314) 965-9917, extension 1294.

Faithful Family Festival, April 17-18 at Ascension-Wichita, KS, is to encourage and equip congregations and families to use faith traditions and milestones for spiritual growth. Program has whole-family activities and break-outs. Keynoter is Dick Hardel, Augsburg Youth and Family Institute. Information: LCMS Kansas District, 913) 357-4441.

Family Funfest '98 offers activities at Glacier National Park. Highlights: presenters Richard Bimler and Ingrid Trobish… "River" a Christian music group… workshops for parents, grandparents, teens, marrieds, singles… and more. It's July 31 to Aug. 2 in Kalispell, MT, sponsored by Trinity-Kalispell. Information: (406) 257-5683.

Sources
"Cancer Lives at Our House" is one woman's insight to the toll her cancer took on family members. With sensitivity, she offers ideas for family members to deal with the stress, confront the fear, express feelings constructively and minister to other family members. Author: Beatrice Hofman Hoek, from Baker Book House Co. $8.99.

Family Talk-new for congregations: The four-color "tabloid" can be sent to local homes, given to parents in early child-hood programs or schools, or distributed to members. It's lively reading with "how-to's" for parents and ides for family activities. And, it can be personalized with your congregations name, a localized message and service times. From CPH and Lutheran Family Association. Information: (800) 325-3040.

Ministry
The Hispanic population will grow to 31 million in California alone by 2010, according to Hispanic mission newsletter from the LCMS Board for Mission Services. Hispanic people, who traditionaly regard families and youth as highly important, are growing in numbers in virtually every major U.S. urban center.

Quotes
Convenience less communication-"With the appearance of the two-bathroom home, Americans forgot how to cooperate. With the appearance of the two-car family, we forgot how to associate. With the coming of the two-telivision home, we forgot how to communicate." Dr. John Baucom, quoted in New Man, July/August 1997.

To receive a copy of Family Notes email your request to Luthfam@lcms.org, or call 800-393-8918.

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