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For more information, Kim Ebersole |
Family Life MinistriesThe Church of the Brethren family life ministry Being a part of a family is a gift from God. Our families care for us physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We, in turn, care for our families in the same ways. This cycle of caring is both a natural and a learned skill. Creating and sustaining healthy relationships is crucial to sharing a life in Christ. October is Domestic Violence Awareness MonthSAFETY ALERT: If you are in danger, please call 911, or the National (U.S.) Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224. Would you know if someone you love is a victim of domestic violence? How should you respond to someone in an abusive situation? Perhaps you are in an abusive relationship—where can you turn for help? And just what is considered “domestic violence”? Answers to these questions, along with resources about domestic violence, are available from these organizations: The National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800 799-SAFE or 1-800-799-7233 The website contains information about domestic violence, how to know if you are in an abusive relationship, how you can help a friend, and how to develop a safety plan. The Domestic Violence Awareness Project FaithTrust Institute Click on the titles of these articles from FaithTrust Institute to learn more about what individuals, religious leaders, and religious communities can do to respond to sexual and domestic violence. What Individuals Can Do to Respond to Sexual and Domestic Violence What Religious Leaders Can Do to Respond to Sexual and Domestic Violence Responding to Domestic Violence: What the Religious Community Can Do -- Adapted from the 1996 Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resource Manual of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. We can all play a part in strengthening familiesThe Family Life Ministry of the Church of the Brethren encourages all individuals and congregations to play a role in making their communities better places for families. Research shows that five important factors are present in healthy families:
View the Strengthening Families and Communities: 2011 Resource Guide (PDF). *Note: This document is 94 pages and may take awhile to download. A set of six parenting tip sheets (in English and en Español), is available below. Topics include bonding with your baby, dealing with temper tantrums, connecting with your teen, teen parents, ways to be a better dad, and raising your grandchildren.
Let’s Move
As a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, Sunday school teacher, or someone who just cares about the well-being of children, you are invited to participate in Let's Move! Let's Move! is a national initiative focused on solving the challenge of childhood obesity. Recently, Let's Move! launched a component specifically encouraging the involvement of faith and community leaders, and the Church of the Brethren was asked to be a part of this launch. Visit the Church of the Brethren's Let's Move! website to learn more about the program, ways the denomination's ministries are connecting to Let's Move!, and how your family and congregation can be involved. You can also share ways you and your church are moving and being active. Connecting Generations
Each Connecting Generations contains a scripture, meditation, and prayer about some aspect of growing older: spiritual tasks of aging, role changes, the challenge of caregiving, transitions, and leaving our legacy. There are also several questions to think about and discuss with your friends, family, and members of your faith community, as well as reading suggestions related to the topic. You can receive Connecting Generations by e-mail each month or download a PDF of each edition by visiting the Connecting Generations webpage.
End-of-life decision making: video resource available“Unexpected travels in healing call for multiple Samaritans on modern Jericho roads” Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
2011 National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) keynote presenters Curtis W. Dubble and David E. Fuchs, MD, tell the touching and powerful story of the Dubble family's experience as Curtis' late wife Anna Mary suffered brain damage following a heart attack. Dubble and Fuchs speak frankly about the need for having and communicating advance directives, the importance of developing a strong support system of caregivers, and how crucial a life of faith and prayer is during difficult times. Read more about the presentation here. The hour-long presentation is a helpful resource for individuals, families, deacons, and congregations as they explore end-of-life issues. The audio CD is $10.00 and the video DVD is $15.00.
Children’s Sabbaths®
The third weekend of each October, your congregation is invited to join thousands of churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples across the country in this celebration by holding special worship services, education programs, and advocacy activities to engage people of faith in the lives of children and their families. This celebration aims to unite religious congregations of all faiths across the nation in shared concern for children and a common commitment to improving their lives and working for justice on their behalf. The 2012 Children’s Sabbaths® observation will be the weekend of October 19-21. |
Connecting Generations is a monthly meditation about aging. While written specifically with older adults in mind, people of all ages are encouraged to read it and think about the issues each edition addresses.
Sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), the 