Orphan Sunday 2016

Sunday, November 13th, was Orphan Sunday. This is one day where Christians and churches all over the world join together and stand for the orphan. As a church, we are called to defend the fatherless, to care for the child who has no family, and to visit orphans in their distress. Orphan Sunday creates an opportunity every year for churches to grow awareness of the need for orphan care and encourage a response from its members.

Chosen for Life saw many of the churches in our community unite together for Orphan Sunday. Many churches, such as Resurrection Presbyterian Church, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and Redeemer Presbyterian Church listened to sermons centered around orphans and God's commands to care for the fatherless. Watkinsville First Baptist Church gathered children's clothing through an Orphan Sunday Clothing Drive, and many other churches brought awareness in other unique ways. It is amazing to see so many community and church members answering God's call to care for orphans here locally, throughout our nation, and in many nations worldwide.

We hosted our first Orphan's Table event this year at Redeemer Presbyterian church. The goal of this event was simple - that God's great love for the orphan would resonate in each of us. Families and friends in the community came together to eat a meal that is eaten by orphans throughout the world, every day. Experiences impact us more deeply than words, and this meal helped us to understand that orphans are not only alone, but hungry too. 

Families and friends throughout Athens joined us in the Orphan's Table meal, learned how they could participate in orphan care, and spent time in prayer over the orphaned and vulnerable children here locally, nationally, and globally. 

Whitney White led us in discussion on what orphan care means and how we are called to respond. Prayer is our first, and most powerful, response when we see the great need that exists. Each table spent time praying together for God's protection over orphans and their spirits, for families who have adopted or fostered, and for personal guidance in how to reflect God's heart through action in orphan care. 

Whitney White, the International Education Counselor at Lifeline Children's Services, spoke about what orphan care is, and how each of us have a role within it.

Agencies and organizations from our community were all gathered and ready to show us ways that we could care for orphans. We are all called to serve in different ways - to use our unique gifts, talents, and callings in different ways. There were booths from Downtown Ministries, Chosen for Life Ministries, CASA, Compassion International, Lifeline, and Ornaments 4 Orphans. If you were unable to attend the Orphan's Table, but still want to find a way to become involved in orphan care, please visit any of these amazing organizations' websites! 

Pictured above are the Chosen for Life and Ornaments for Orphans tables.

Pictured above are Susie Weller from Children's First and Whitney White from Lifeline Children Services at their booths for the CASA program and (un)adopted program.

We are so grateful for every church who participated in Orphan Sunday, for every person and family who gathered around the Orphan's Table, and for every agency and organization who helped us learn how we can serve and care for orphaned and vulnerable children.

The Lord is doing a great work in each of us, and we are so excited to see God pour out His love for orphans through each of us!