May 2016
Voice of Care: equipping the Church to nurture people
with disabilities and their caregivers in their walk with Christ
from the Executive Director…
BIG GOD: BIG VISION
In January, the board set for a vision for the future of Voice of Care. Because we have a big God, we know that we should strive for a big vision for His kingdom. Being fully funded and fully staffed, Voice of Care will serve districts of the LCMS, as well as individual congrega ons and Chris an camps throughout the United States. Providing state of the art virtual training modules and Christ‐centered resources, Voice of Care will bring the Church the advantages of the current science, psychology, sociology, language and other knowledge concerning the unique needs of people with neonatal/developmental, trauma induced and age onset disabili es. Deeper understanding of causes, capabili es, treatments and techniques will enable the Church to use effec ve ways to communicate God’s love and saving grace with people who are “differently‐abled.” Voice of Care will establish itself as the premier trainer of church professionals and lay volunteers in order that God’s kingdom would be expanded to include His precious people and their caregivers for all eternity. Voice of Care will collaborate with other organiza ons that are like minded in these efforts. Of course we will have to work on this vision in small increments! While we are always seeking grants to expand our programs, we need sustainable support from individuals and congrega ons. [continued page 2] FUN
We had…
60s costumes,
The New Invaders
and a groovy good
time!
GAMES
MUSIC
Photography by Debra Mae ‐ [email protected] BIG GOD: BIG VISION [continued from page 1]
To become fully funded means that we have to explore new ways to generate income. Our Director of Development, Lori Solyom, is working on ways to increase and expand donor support and engagement. To become fully staffed, we con nue to pray that the Lord would send us theologically trained people who want to serve part‐ me among people with disabili es. We currently seek a West Region Director. The staff is working diligently to fine tune our training modules, implemen ng them throughout the Northern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. We’ve recently focused on working with students of our parochial schools to provide opportuni es to experience what it is like to have disabili es and how to befriend this popula on. We have found that children are very open to this and can o en lead the way for a congrega on to become more welcoming to people with special needs in their community. The future is very bright for Voice of Care, including TWO pledge walks this August, one in the northwest suburbs and one in the southwest community so that more people with disabili es can join us as we raise funds for the ministry. September 17, we travel to Michigan, hos ng our first na onal workshop as we pursue the goal of raising up local leaders to start ministries among people with disabili es in their own state. In Christ among people with disabili es, Executive Director
The Voice
is a publication of
Voice of Care Voice of Care's mission is to
equip the Church to nurture
people with disabilities and
their caregivers in their walk
with Christ.
mailing address:
Voice of Care
P.O. Box 251
West Chicago, IL 60186
telephone:
630.231.3862
email:
[email protected]
staff:
Executive Director Deaconess Kris Blackwell
Office Administrator Dian Cracraft
West & South Region Director Rev. Phil Gruenbaum
North Region Director Rev. Paul Klopke
East Region Director Rev. Dr. Dean Pittelko
Director of Development Lori Solyom
VoiceOfCare.org
T
here’s an old Chris an campfire song that begins with, “Walkin’ walkin’ walkin’ in the light…,” and I must confess that it runs through my head each year as I am walking our easy, mile‐long path during Voice of Care’s Mile for Mileage Challenge. The song serves to remind me that I am not merely par cipa ng in a pledge walk to raise money to cover the costs incurred by the many miles Voice of Care’s Region Directors drive to equip churches to spiritually serve people with disabili es ‐ I am bringing Jesus’ light, love and Gospel Good News to his dearly loved children with special needs. I hope that you will join me at this year’s Mile for Mileage Challenge! “How beau ful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15 Director of Development Walk and Picnic ‐ Rain or Shine ‐ Live Entertainment walk in person or "virtually" ‐ collect pledges online
August 20, 2016 10 a.m. ‐ 12:30 p.m. Castaldo Park 3024 71st St, Woodridge, Illinois NEW! altern
ate
date/locatio
n
August 27, 2016 10 a.m. ‐ 12:30 p.m. St. Peter Lutheran Church 202 E Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, Illinois register online at VoiceOfCare.org or call 630.231.3862 Congregational
Life
) Voice of Care consults with churches to develop a variety of disability ministries and assists congrega ons in becoming accessible and inclusive. Region Directors Rev. Phil Gruenbaum and Rev. Dean Pi elko are currently working with several congrega ons that desire to inten onally serve individuals and families with special needs. Pastor Phil recently advised a St. Louis area church as the staff sought to add a dedicated worker in disability ministry. While Pastor Dean was laid up following knee replacement surgery, he read (and recommends) Any Ques ons? A Guidebook for Inclusive Educa on in Your Church and Au sm and Your Church (both by Barbara J. Newman from www.clcnetwork.org). MINISTRY IN ACTION
Voice of Care’s model focuses on 5 areas of training Facility Ministry
Disability Awareness
Voice of Care presents Disability Awareness Days for schools and churches. Region Directors work with staff to design age appropriate ac vi es and chapel services for schools and develop customized awareness workshops for congrega ons. Rev. Phil Gruenbaum recently presented a Celebra ng Abili es chapel with a Chicago baseball theme, “Sox? Cubs?—I like the Subs!” in which he shared how team member—even “bench‐si ers” contribute to the team’s success. He had students a empt to bu on up a shirt while wearing oven mi s. One child got frazzled by the ac vity and threw down the oven mi s in frustra on. Pastor Phil pointed out how a persons with disabili es might experience that same frustra on every day. It was a true “aha” moment! Camps – VBS
Voice of Care will conduct special needs training for Walcamp’s summer staff on June 4. Region Directors Rev. Phil Gruenbaum, Rev. Paul Klopke and Rev. Dean Pi elko have served as Pastor of the Week, worked with curriculum design and led retreats at the Kingston, Illinois, Lutheran outdoor ministry. Voice of Care con nues to build rela onships with Chris an camps across the Midwest. As the Vaca on Bible School season begins, Voice of Care welcomes inquiries about making this summer me evangelis c opportunity more inclusive. Voice of Care Region Director Rev. Paul Klopke works with volunteers from several area churches to minister to the residents of Deer Path of Huntley. Increasing numbers of adults with disabili es have par cipated in the monthly Saturday worship service. Now in partnership with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod pastor‐led Faith, Hope and Peace Ministries, worship will now be weekly event at Deer Path. Voice of Care strives to connect facili es serving people with disabili es to volunteer groups from nearby churches who bring “Jesus Time” to residents. P.S. Voice of Care’s birthday party for Lutheran Church Chari es K‐9 Comfort Dogs JoJo and Adeena at Deer Path was rumored to be the event of the season! REST
Respite Education Support Tools
Voice of Care provides high caliber respite care training for church workers and lay volunteers. This one‐day professional workshop equips your congrega on to offer drop‐in events at church or provide short term respite care in member homes. Voice of Care Financials Income as of April 26, 2016
0%
Congregation Donation
17%
29%
If you like to golf, here is a fun and easy way to support Voice of Care this season: YOU… Request a golf fundraiser kit from Voice of Care for a dona on of $40 by emailing offi[email protected] or calling 630.231.3862. You will receive a package with 4 “I golfed for Voice of Care” t‐shirts, 12 mulligan cer ficates, 18 chance cards, a surprise golf “favor” for each golfer and a Golf Fundraiser Report Card. Individual Donation
Thrivent "Choice" Funds
Organization/Institution
25%
Good Vibes Event
21%
7%
LWML NID Grant
Interest
1%
Expense as of April 26, 2016
7%
Take a foursome and golf at course of your choice. 46%
Each par cipant will contribute an amount of their choice as a dona on to Voice of Care. 47%
Administrative
Programming
Fundraising
Each par cipant may purchase up to three mulligans (do overs) at $10 each. Whichever golfer gets the best score at each hole ( es may be broken by a flipped coin) selects a chance card (without looking) and follows the instruc ons. These instruc ons may be things like add (or drop) a stroke to your total score, read the following prayer for Voice of Care aloud to your foursome, you will buy the next round of beverages from cart or clubhouse or contribute 10 cents for each year of your age to the Voice of Care dona ons (if you are 65, that’s $6.50). For each stroke over par, golfers are requested to contribute $1 (may be calculated a er play or on a hole by hole basis). When finished, total up dona ons on the Golf Fundraiser Report Card and submit with payment (via check, money order or credit card) to Voice of Care, P.O. Box 251, West Chicago, IL 60186). Income as of April 26, 2016
Congregation Donation
$9,390.24
Individual Donation
$6,850.20
Thrivent "Choice" Funds
$2,241.75
Organization/Institution
$200.00
Good Vibes Event
$8,268.00
LWML NID Grant
$5,368.42
Interest
$93.31
Total income
February through April:
$32,411.92
Expense as of April 26, 2016
Administrative
$13,286.65
Programming (includes Region Director salaries)
$13,516.28
Fundraising
Total expense
February through April:
$2,095.06
$28,897.99
Voice of Care is a Recognized Service Organiza on of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
Voice of Care ‐ P.O. Box 251 ‐ West Chicago, IL 60186 630.231.3862 ‐ offi[email protected] ‐ VoiceOfCare.org Execu ve Director Deaconess Kris Blackwell ‐ 630.234.1491