2025 Winter Newsletter

We hope everyone had a meaningful and happy holiday season. There were so many groups celebrating the coming of our Savior in fun and creative ways. Now that the celebrating with family and friends is over and we settle into the cold months of winter, what are we hoping for? If you’re like me, it’s a promise of spring. That first flower to pop through the snow. We hope in what we do not yet see; this is faith.

I was reminded of a wonderful example of this hope at last year’s Summer Friendship Gathering. On the first night of the Gathering Connie had a terrible fall as she was coming into the church building. She had to be taken to the hospital. We all gathered and prayed for her speedy recovery. Thankfully she and no broken bones but a very bruised face. Everyone assumed she would have to miss the Gathering altogether.

But Connie held firm to the hope she had in her faithful God. She believed that God would help her to “rise up” and return to the join her friends. She did just that and was even able to read the scripture for the worship service on the last night.

What a loving God we serve, who is worthy of all our worship and praise. 

To love and support Connie many of the friends and volunteers welcomed her back by wearing black and blue makeup around their eyes, so she wouldn’t feel singled out when she returned. This is love in action.

They all put their hope in the God who is faithful and believed in His perfect plan as they demonstrated the love of Jesus. That’s what Summer Friendship Gatherings are all about. Living for Jesus!

Join us for this Summer Friendship Gathering where together we will learn to HOPE, BELIEVE, and LIVE for Jesus. Our theme this year is “Rise Up”. We will be learning that God always keeps His promises, and His plans are always perfect. We will be studying the valley of dry bones and how God gave Israel hope again. We learn that Jesus is the resurrection and the life as He called Lazarus to rise up out of the grave. And finally, because Jesus lives, we to can rise up and live for Him by loving others. You won’t want to miss it, so Rise Up and get registered!

ARE WE HAVING FUN YET?

Our friends with disabilities and companions are excited and already asking about their paperwork for this summer’s Gathering. By the time this newsletter reaches you, you should have already received a letter and/or an email with all the information you need to register.

One of our lessons this summer will be about dry bones coming alive. That sounds impossible and a little scary to me!

Completing your registrations online may seem impossible or scary as well, but this is what we hope you will do. We are encouraging everyone to register online. The applications we receive online are typically easier to read, more complete and requires less follow-up. We hope you will help us.

Please register as soon as possible. If you need help, you can ask one of the Friendship volunteers or call
Connection Ministries at 317-646-5067.

Video Training for Volunteers

The Summer Friendship Gathering and Volunteer training videos are in process. The videos are planned to be complete and available on our website by April 1.

The training videos are short and feature special guest    volunteers sharing their training tips that have been proven to be successful.  These videos are full of important information that will help your team put on a meaningful and safe event. Each video is labeled with the volunteer roles for the volunteers who should view the video.

An email will be sent to all volunteers when the videos are ready.  Follow the link below by clicking button.

“Check it Out!” Resource Library Update

The Resource Library is up and running!  We have a variety of materials that can be loaded to groups that may need extra support or new teaching ideas.  Free craft kits are available with materials for groups that are looking for some fresh ideas. We also have puppets you can sign out to help teach your lessons. 

To find more information check out the Resource Tab on the Website for a detailed
listing. We would like to thank our faithful volunteers, Joni Borgman and Joy Fulk for helping us get the library up and useable. 

Hank’s “PAWSITIVE” News  

Hi! I am Hank and I love to be silly, Tracy is my human, and she has told me how much she LOVES her Friends at Connection Ministries.  I sometimes get to come with her to the office to work and have met so many good Friends already. I’ve been on the “Woof Watch” for the Summer Gathering News.  It’s getting busy in the office! Tracy and Pam are getting ready for the Summer Friendship Gathering. The lessons are being finalized, and I know if you are like me you can’t wait to get your “PAWS” on it.   But first we need your registration.

The “Paws and Cons” of registering NOW. The “Con” is if you register late, Tracy will have to work longer hours and I will be left out in the doghouse. The “Paws” is that registering NOW I will get to cozy up with Tracy as she reads me Bible Stories.  Don’t make it “RUFF” on me – Get Registered!

There is also something I want you to pray about. News from the “Dog Chat Line” is, Connection Ministries has two churches chomping at the bit to start Friendship group started in their church. Please pray for God’s timing and favor as the team moves forward. You can also help by sending a gift in the mail today or online. Every dollar helps me make new friends!

“Fur”ever Friends, 

Hank the Hound for Jesus      

Let Us Know….

Pam and I want to visit any of our Friends with disabilities or volunteers when they are in the hospital or if there has been a death. Sometimes we are unaware of this need until much later. If you know someone in your Friendship group is ill, passes away, or has a crisis, please let us know.

Tributes in honor or memory of a Friend or loved one can be given to Connection Ministries and we will acknowledge your gift to their family.  

Thrivent Choice

Thrivent continues to be an important partner with Connection Ministries. This past year, Thrivent members directed $725.00 of their Thrivent Choice Dollars to this ministry.

If you are a Thrivent member, you can easily advance our ministry by simply going online and directing your “free” Thrivent Choice dollars to Connection Ministries.

If you are a Thrivent member you have until March 31 to direct any remaining 2024 Thrivent Choice Dollars. After this date, your 2024 funds will be lost forever! Members can login to their Thrivent account; https://www.thrivent.com/

Many of you also used your 2024 Thrivent Action Teams projects to fund meals for the Summer Friendship Gatherings! Please consider doing this again in 2025.