What's Happening?

Since our last newsletter, Soozung Sa, who began work at the General Board of Discipleship August 16, 2001, has left our staff. Soozung served us well as Director of Family & Singles Ministries. Soozung moved to Tampa, Florida, and married Brian Rankin on July 17, 2004. We miss her leadership. The position she held has been changed to Director of Evangelism with Middle Adults. We are in the process of interviewing for this position.

I continue to serve as Team Leader for Family and Life-Span Ministries. Our staff also includes Mary Alice Gran, Director of Children's Ministries; Susan Hay, Director of Youth Ministries; Rick Gentzler, Director of the Center on Aging & Older Adults; and Kevin Witt, Director of Camp & Retreat Ministries. In addition, the Office of Hispanic/Latino Ministries is part of the Family and Life-Span Team. Staff in this office include Marigene Chamberlain, Director of Hispanic/Latino Ministries; Blanca Longhurst, Bilingual Promotion and Customer Service Coordinator; Alma Pérez, Spanish Language Acquisitions Editor. In each of these areas, we strive to see the age group/audience with which we work as part of a larger group — that of the individual and their families. In this way, we seek to extend family ministry and help congregations support, not just individuals, but all who those individuals call "family."

So what are some of the issues facing congregations today as they seek to support families? Here are some that I hear through phone calls, e-mails, letters, and comments from people in seminars and workshops I have led over the past year:

• "What do we need to do to plan for family ministry in our congregation?"
• "Although singles constitute more than half the adult population, congregations struggle with how best to address their issues and concerns. How do we plan so that we include all people in our vision for God's family?"
• "It seems as if we do a good job with our wedding policies, but this doesn't address the issue of supporting marriage. What can a congregation do?"
• "We are trying to emphasize worship and education in the home as well as in our church buildings. Give us some practical suggestions for home education and worship."
• "War is on everyone's mind. How do we address God's vision of peace in the midst of war?"

In this edition of Information: Family Ministries, you will find articles about these concerns. As you look to the General Board of Discipleship for family ministry support, please call upon us for resources in support of marriage, guides to quality parenting courses, ways to plan for family ministries, and specific information and understanding about individuals throughout the life span. Feel free to photocopy any information contained in this newsletter. Just remember to credit the source!

Go to www.gbod.org/family for current information and articles.

I invite you to join with me in this prayer:

Gracious God, you made us. We are yours. ALL of us belong to you: children, youth, adults, single, married, homeless, hurting. Remind us whenever we draw the boundaries of your love too small that your vision is greater than ours. Guide us so that we become spreaders of your love — not hoarders of a small piece that we consider ours alone. Lead us so that we strengthen one another and give hope to our communities. Guard us from harming others of your children in thought, word, and deed. For we have been taught by the master teacher, Jesus, that your grace is there for all. AMEN.

MaryJane Pierce Norton

What's Happening

Planning for Family Ministries

Peacemaking Begins at Home

Families: Called to Hope

Worship at Home

Don't Forget Single Adults

Marriage Enrichment Opportunities

Resources

Upcoming Events

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