New support group forming!

JOIN A SUPPORT GROUP!

The Vulnerable Children's Ministry at Willow Creek, and Replanted ministry at Church of the Resurrection are pleased to announce that a new support group for adoptive, foster and Safe Families host parents is being formed.

Our support groups are safe places for families to share their journeys with one another. We desire for these groups to be a place of encouragement and prayer for families as they care for children. With that as the heart of our ministry, we ask that families seek to commit to these support groups, to intentionally plan for these monthly meetings in order to create relationship and community with other families. We believe that as families and children grow in relationship, that these groups can become a place of deep trust and encouragement for all involved.

When: Beginning October 20th and then monthly - every 3rd Thursday of the month from 6:15-8:15pm. (Oct 2016-May 2017, with no meeting in Dec.)

Where: A home in South Barrington, IL

Childcare: Childcare is provided by trained volunteers who understand the special needs of kids who have experienced loss and trauma.

Dinner: Dinner will be provided for parents by volunteers.  Please have your kids fed before you come.

Curriculum: The group will follow a curriculum designed specifically for adoptive and foster parents.
 

Registration is limited, so register now! (The So. Barrington group is currently listed as Elgin/Bolingbrook.  Click that selection to register for So.Barrington)
 

REGISTER HERE

Book Discussion: Becoming Home by Jedd Medfind

The Vulnerable Children’s Ministry

Invites you to take part in a Book Discussion…

 

Wednesday, January 28^th, 2015

Willow Creek Community Church

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

 

Join us as we discuss Jedd Medefind’s

(President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans) book,

Becoming Home: Adoption, Foster Care and Mentoring—Living out God’s Heart for the Orphan.

 

This fascinating book will give you specific steps on how to show God’s heart for the orphan through adoption, foster care and orphan care

both locally and globally so that you can help make a difference!  

 

With only 87 pages, it is a quick read, packed with the most current information and ideas.

It includes additional wisdom from Francis Chan, Jim Daly, David Platt and more. 

6:00 Dinner together (Atrium, near the Lakeside Lobby)

7:00 Worship Service (Lakeside Auditorium)

7:30 Book Discussion (Room TBD)

Registration encouraged www.willowcreek.org/midweekclasses 

Childcare available for ages infant through grade 5 at Midweek for Kids.

 

Discipline Strategies Workshop for Parents

The Vulnerable Children’s Ministry at Willow Creek

Presents a Workshop for Parents…

“Positive Discipline Strategies”

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Willow Creek Community Church

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

 

ü  Learn the importance of teaching life lessons, rather than punishment.

ü  Compare today's family dynamics compared to those in previous year.

ü  Learn strategies to give positive consequences for positive behavior.

     ü  Explore who and what may influence behavior in our children.

ü  Learn what the Bible says about disciplining our children.

     ü  At the conclusion, everyone should leave with an understanding that discipline is necessary for the growth and development of children and youth and it’s about teaching, setting boundaries, being consistent, and showing respect.

 

Guest Speaker: Jerry Harris

 Jerry Harris has worked with troubled families and youth for more than 25 years. He has held past positions as house parent, case manager, consultant, and director over residential placements, foster care, adoptions, and independent living programs in the city of Chicago and surrounding areas. Jerry has also been a teacher in several school districts. He has been a coach and mentor for youth in the Rockford area. Jerry currently is an Assistant Principal for the Harlem School District.

 

5:30 Dinner together (Atrium, near the Lakeside lobby)

7:00 Worship service (Lakeside Auditorium)

7:30 Workshop (Room B205/207 near the chapel)

 

Please register for the event at www.willowcreek.org/midweekclasses

(You will need to create a user name & password that you can use each month.)

 

D.C.F.S. Training hours offered for licensed foster parents.

Free childcare available at Midweek for Kids (www.willowcreek.org/midweekforkids)

 

http://avoiceforhischildren.blogspot.com    https://www.facebook.com/AVFHC.

Family Night Celebration at Willow Creek

The Vulnerable Children's Ministry

Invites you to a Family Night Celebration!

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Willow Creek Community Church

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

 

* Music and message for kids from “Mr. Jeff" (Jeff Fulton), Promiseland Leader!

 

 * Treats and surprises for the kids!

 

Who should come? Adoptive, foster and Safe Families with their kids. 

This is also a great opportunity to invite and make positive memories with the placing parents of the kids in your home. 

 

5:30 Dinner together (Atrium: look for the tables with our signs)

7:00 Worship service (Lakeside Auditorium)

7:30 Family Night Celebration (Room b100, under the chapel)

 

Please register for the event at www.willowcreek.org/midweekclasses (You will need to create a user name & password that you can use each month.)

 http://avoiceforhischildren.blogspot.com    https://www.facebook.com/AVFHC.

Monthly Gathering Focuses on Children in Foster Care

The Vulnerable Children's Ministry

Invites you to our monthly gathering

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Willow Creek Community Church

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

 

 

5:30 Dinner together (Atrium: look for the tables with our signs)

7:00 Worship service (Lakeside Auditorium)

7:30 Workshop (room B204/206)

 

Please register for the workshop at www.willowcreek.org/midweekclasses

(You will need to create a user name & password that you can use each month.)

 

Approximately 14,000 children in Illinois live in foster care homes.  God calls the Church to care for these children, who, through no fault of their own, have been placed in foster care due to neglect, abuse and/or abandonment at the hands of one or both of their biological parents.  Come and learn more about their lives and their circumstances and discover some creative and fun ways that we can show them the love of Christ, through Royal Family KIDS.  You’ll hear true and powerful stories about hope and healing that occurs when a child learns that they are loved and treasured. This is a great opportunity for those who are looking for ways to serve vulnerable children, but are not able to adopt or foster.  Whether you’re looking to get involved or just learn more about vulnerable children in our community, we encourage you to come, learn and be inspired!

 

Childcare is available with Midweek for Kids (ages 0-grade 5)

 

For questions, contact Sara Brunsting at sbrunsting@wcservingvolunteer.org

 

https://www.facebook.com/AVFHC.

Monthly Gathering: "Helping Without Hurting"

The Vulnerable Children's Ministry

Presents a Workshop

“Helping Without Hurting”

with Guest Speaker Lynn Clay, Certified Poverty Trainer

 

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Willow Creek Community Church

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

(Room B204/206 near the chapel)

Caring for those who come from a background of poverty can often be confusing and complicated.  We can do a lot of damage assuming everyone should be “like us”.  Sometimes those who desire to help, can even create damage to the very people they wish to serve.  This workshop will help us learn to step into relationships with people who have a different way of approaching life and creating a bridge that allows us all to walk back and forth between the two worlds.

This workshop is designed for:

·         Adoptive Families

·         Foster Care Families

·         Safe Families Hosts

·         Those involved in orphan care

·         Those who care about vulnerable children

 

5:30 Dinner together (Atrium)

7:00 Worship service (Lakeside Auditorium)

7:30 Workshop (room B204/206)

 

 

 

Lynn Clay, Poverty Trainer 

Lynn is devoted to Christ for the past 25 years, a wife to Rich Clay for 23 years, a mom to Kristen (20) and Jasmine (16) and is on staff at The Chapel in Libertyville for the past 14 years. Her role at The Chapel includes being a Chaplain at the Lake County Jail, overseeing the jail ministry volunteers, an Area Leader for small group leaders and she does women’s pastoral counseling.  As a certified Poverty Trainer, she and her team teach classes on how to help/partner with those in poverty without doing more harm than good.  Her youngest daughter is adopted, putting her on a path to learn and grow in ways she never imagined and she is passionate about getting messy with relationships that take us out of our comfort zone.

 

Register HERE

 

Childcare is available with Midweek for Kids (ages 0-5 years)

 

Monthly Pot-Luck Gathering at Willow Creek

The Vulnerable Children’s Ministry

Invites you to a

Monthly Pot-Luck Gathering

For those interested or involved in

Adoption, Foster Care and Safe Families

Sunday, March 17, 2013

5:00– 7:00 p.m.

Willow Creek Community Church

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

Room F150 (Park in lot F and follow signs downstairs to room 150)

This month we are excited to have guest speaker Norm Suire, Foster Home Licensing Representative with D.C.F.S. This will be part two of a series of discussions on Bridging the Gap with Biological/Placing Parents. This is essential information to think about if you are interested in building a relationship with the parents of the children whom you are providing care, whether through adoption, foster care or Safe Families.

We hope you will come and join in the conversation as the Vulnerable Children’s Ministry seeks to support you in the important work that you are doing.

DCFS credit hours will be awarded for all licensed foster parents who attend this meeting.

Dinner begins promptly at 5:00. Fried chicken and beverages will be provided by our wonderful Hospitality Team. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.

R.S.V.P.’s are helpful for planning purposes.

Green attire is encouraged for St. Patrick’s Day!

Childcare is available if you R.S.V.P. with the number of children and their ages tovcministry127@gmail.com.