Stand Sunday
On Sunday, November 10, church communities across the country are standing together to raise awareness for the need of support these children and families impacted by the child welfare system need.
WAYS TO PARTICIPATE IN STAND SUNDAY:
Volunteer to Stuff Geaux Bags
Provide a meal for a family
Assemble Snack Bags
Write Letters of Encouragement
Create a drive for needed supplies
Mentor a child
Volunteer for Royal Family Kids Camp
Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
Receive training in Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)
Become a Foster Parent
Adopt a Child
Donate Funds
November 10th is Stand Sunday (also known as Orphan Sunday) for churches worldwide. This is a special invitation to congregations across the state of Louisiana to recognize our calling as servants of God in helping the most vulnerable children in our community- those who are homeless, abused, neglected, and in need of permanent safety and love.
Geaux 4 Kids would like to spread the word that Louisiana is in a state of crisis for families, and we need foster and adoptive parents in every city of our state to meet the needs of our children. With your help, we can make a difference in bridging the gaps between crisis and rescue as well as from surviving to thriving in safe and loving God filled homes.
We would love to partner with you so that together we can help serve children with love and compassion.
We are asking you to decide on a level of engagement that is right for your congregation and to make an announcement that you recognize the need and are willing to find a way to help. This could be anything from sharing stories of what you are already doing within your congregation to mission work serving abused and neglected children. It could also be as simple as talking to your congregation about families that have already agreed to embark on fostering or adoption or starting a conversation and asking your church family how they feel they can best serve to help these children. It could be a collection of emergency supplies to support children in crisis or hosting the Heart Gallery to learn more about children waiting for their forever homes or working on a committee to explore how to match your interests and gifts with needs of the community. Whatever the spirit moves your church to do it is valued and important to each and every child.
We have attached a graphic you can use at church to advertise the conversation around Stand Sunday and how to move towards saying yes to talking about this urgent need in our community as easily as possible.
Also, attached to this email you will find a ready-made interest form for your church to use. The slips can be placed in the offering plate and/or collected for members of your congregation who may express interest in learning more about how to begin the conversation on your church’s readiness to get involved.
If you want more support in these important conversations, we are ready to help.
With Grace and Prayers,
Stacy Eppers, Geaux 4 Kids Community Consultant
For more information, please contact Stacy Eppers at Stacy@Geaux4Kids.com