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| Connections Program |
The Mission of CareNet Pregnancy Services of DuPage is: To serve Jesus Christ by working to prevent unplanned pregnancies, and by providing emotional support, spiritual counsel, and practical help to anyone dealing with the effects of an unplanned pregnancy. The Connections Program is our way of inviting the local church to be the hands and feet of Christ, to join hands with one woman who is dealing with the reality of her pregnancy. A woman is eligible to be part of the Connections program if: · She is a CareN · She is in her first trimester of pregnancy (less than 12 weeks). The Connections program was developed to allow local churches to form relationships with women who may have little or no support during their pregnancies. The purpose of the program is to form a network of support around the woman and her baby, so that her quality of life will be enhanced and her spiritual life may be further developed and encouraged. This is an opportunity for true life-changing ministry! DescriptionÂvision, ideas The Connections relationship begins during a womanÂs pregnancy, but we hope that the relationship will extend far beyondÂ
Our hope is that by being loved and embraced by your group, a mom-to-be will form a relationship with your church family, perhaps even becoming a part of that family long-term. The two guaranteed ingredients in any Connections relationship are prayer support during a womanÂs pregnancy and a baby shower after her baby is born. Though CareNetÂs hope is that your group might form a lasting bond with the mom-to-be, please keep in mind that our clients come from variety of backgrounds and circumstances, and not every client will desire that relationship. Our prayer is that in whatever ways your group is able to relate to this woman, you will show her the love of Christ simply by supporting her during this important time in her life. While your group is relating to a woman as a faith community, you do not need to have every get-together with her in your church building! In fact, you may be connected with a woman who has never set foot inside of a church building before. Our vision is for this relationship to develop naturally and organically, not in an artificial or forced way. Think about the sort of things you and your girlfriends/families like to do together, and go from there. There are many ways that you can cultivate your relationship with the mom-to-be: Here are just a few ideas: · Meeting for coffee · Going shopping · Going for a walk at a forest preserve · Taking her to get pedicures · Inviting her to your small group or Bible study In addition, many of the women CareNet serves can also use help in finding jobs, developing skills and learning about other resources that will help them in the journey of parenting. Your group could be a catalyst to connect her to people and resources within your church community. As you get to know your mom-to-be, think creatively about how you can connect her to people and resources that will be useful to her. There are many ways you can be a blessing to an expectant mom! Support from CareNet We want your group to feel free to relate to the woman you are connected with in any way the Lord leads. Once you have been connected, we want the relationship between her and your group to be as natural and uninterrupted as possible. However, we also want you to know that CareNet is committed to being available as a resource to your group should any needs arise. If you have a question with regard to your Connections relationship, or if you need guidance as to how to handle a situation, please feel free to call the Connections coordinator at CareNet. We want to help make this experience as positive as it can be for everyone involved. Overview: Benefits and Blessings for your group and mom-to-be Church Group · To show the love of Christ to a woman who needs His love. · To experience GodÂs transforming power in the life of a pregnant woman. · To see God answer prayer in powerful ways. · To transform your faith, by allowing God to change your heart. · To use your own life experience to help another. · To be part of the Body of Christ, working to be His hands and feet. · To witness the miracle of GodÂs work in bringing a human life into the world. · To be part of the future generationÂs birth story. Mom-to-be · To experience ChristÂs love through a community of believers. · To experience the transforming power of God in her life. · To experience God - who hears, sees, and communicates with her through prayer. · To develop a deep faith, allowing God to mold her into the woman He designed her to be.. · To learn from others about life and parenthood. · To receive practical / spiritual gifts and His unconditional love. · To witness the miracle of a loving, supportive family. · To leave a powerful birth story to her child about how God provided for them. Steps for getting involved ____Identify a group of people who are committed to embracing a woman during her pregnancy. ____Read through this booklet to learn more about the program. ____Pray as a group to discern whether the Lord is calling you to commit to a caring relationship. ____Select one or two women who will serve as your groupÂs main contact persons). ____Fill out the Church Agreement and Leader Application provided by CareNet and send to CareNet program coordinator.
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