Posted by: Amy @ 3:55 pm
Rev. Lonna Lynn Higgs has been appointed by Bishop Will Willimon to be the new Chaplain of the United Methodist Children’s Home starting in June, 2010. She is a fifth-generation United Methodist pastor and is currently serving as Pastor of Hoover First United Methodist Church in Hoover,
United Methodist Children’s Home President and CEO Steven R. Hubbard says, “We welcome Rev. Higgs to this extension ministry. As our Chaplain, she will serve as a member of our Leadership Team and be responsible for all areas of spiritual growth as it relates to the children and families we serve as well as our staff.”
Rev. Higgs says, “What a privilege to join the Children’s Home Leadership Team as a new era of ministry begins! I look forward to ministry as Chaplain for a diverse and widespread community of children, youth, and staff.”
Rev. Higgs is a graduate of
Rev. Higgs says, “In addition to my first love - ministry with children, I enjoy shaping worship experiences that blend contemporary and traditional elements, interactive teaching, and helping persons of all ages become aware of the connections between mental, physical, and spiritual health.”
Rev. Higgs’ husband, Rev. Lawton Higgs, Jr., is the pastor at
Please join us in welcoming Rev. Higgs to our United Methodist Children’s Home family.
Posted by: Amy @ 2:53 pm
Positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development from birth. On Thursday, May 6th, National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day will mark its fifth anniversary, as well as a first-time focus on the topic of early childhood. This is a day for everyone to promote the positive development, resilience, recovery, and health needs of youth and their families.
Communities across the country will observe the day with events, youth demonstrations, and social networking campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and increase understanding of the mental health needs of children and their families. The United Methodist Children’s Home activities for Awareness Day will include our children drawing pictures featuring the theme “My Feelings Are a Work of Art.” Some of this artwork will be shown in the 2011 UMCH calendar.
Awareness Day efforts nationwide will encourage the following: integrating mental health into every environment that impacts child development from birth; nurturing the social and emotional well-being of children from birth; and looking for and discussing milestones of a child’s social and emotional development from birth. This special day demonstrates how children’s mental health initiatives promote positive youth development, recovery and resilience. Awareness Day also shows how children with mental health needs thrive in their communities and raises awareness of effective programs for children’s mental health needs.
Posted by: Amy @ 1:47 pm
The Local Church Representative or LCR program is getting a new name. In order to better identify the volunteer as the connectional liaison with our ministry, this position will now be known as the Children’s Home Advocate.
The Children’s Home Advocate is one of our most important volunteer positions. There are 1,500 churches in the two conferences we serve. A proactive and responsive volunteer at the local level is vital to our efforts to get the word out. Your church can appoint someone to be the Children’s Home Advocate who will coordinate events and help tell our stories.
Children’s Home Advocates help us promote mission and giving opportunities, upcoming events and anything related to the work of taking care of children and families in all of our facilities.
The Children’s Home Advocate…
…announces events or mission opportunities
…arranges for visiting speakers
…distributes informational materials
…tells the stories of the children and families we serve
…coordinates special offerings and local fundraising events
…collaborates with other Children’s Home Advocates at nearby churches
Ted Sullivan was a terrific example of the type of energy and dedication this position needs to be successful. Ted was passionate about his work as Children’s Home Advocate for Holly Pond UMC. He had also served in the same position for over 20 years at First UMC of Deltona, Florida, before moving to Holly Pond with his wife Nancy about three years ago.
Being a methodical engineer, Ted created a plan and schedule for White Christmas events at Holly Pond UMC. He showed the UMCH video, put information in the Sunday bulletins, and visited Sunday school classes and UMW groups. On more than one Sunday morning, he stood before the congregation, made a heartfelt appeal and challenged them to pass the previous year’s giving.
When Ted was admitted to the hospital in the middle of the White Christmas schedule this past winter, he inquired daily of visiting family and Pastor Rich Patsios how the White Christmas giving was going. It was a priority to him, so when they passed the previous year’s total, his daughter Karen Iseman said, “He was relieved to know it was done, because it was at the top of his list.”
Before Ted passed away in early January at the age of 82, Holly Pond UMC had given more to White Christmas this year than they had ever given before. Karen said, “It was a wonderful legacy he left.”
To become a Children’s Home Advocate, call our Public Relations and Development Office or check with your minister or missions director to see if your church has appointed a Children’s Home Advocate. If not, volunteer! We’ll get you all the information you need to get started.
If you are appointing a new Children’s Home Advocate for your church, contact the Public Relations and Development Office to let us know who you have assigned to this position. In most cases, the best person for the job is a lay person who can focus his or her outreach efforts on keeping the mission of this ministry on the minds and in the hearts of the congregation.
Ted Sullivan
Posted by: Amy @ 4:37 pm
Our 2009 Satisfaction Surveys came back with excellent results!
The 2009 Resident Satisfaction Survey showed 93% of children placed with UMCH said that UMCH has helped them, and 85% said they would recommend UMCH to another child who could not live at home.
The 2009 Foster Parent Satisfaction Survey showed 100% of foster parents said they are satisfied with the level of support they received from the UMCH staff. 100% also said a UMCH staff member responds quickly when a foster parent has a problem or need, and 100% said they are satisfied with the training they received prior to the placement of a child in their home.
The 2009 Referring Worker Satisfaction Survey showed 98% of workers who referred a child or family to UMCH said they are satisfied with the services provided to that child or family, and 100% of referring workers are satisfied with the competence shown by UMCH staff.
Posted by: Jill @ 11:23 am
Sulligent High School principal Craig Weeks never dreamed that he would be on his way to becoming a foster parent. But concern for a student in his school drove him take action. Every day he is responsible for the safety and well-being of hundreds of high school students.
“I wasn’t even interested,” said Mr. Weeks. “But when I realized that Chris was going to have to leave the care of the UMCH because he didn’t have a foster family, that’s what did it for me. UMCH has done way too much for Chris and they still have a lot to offer him.”
Mr. Weeks was talking with Janice Hawkins our Northwest Therapeutic Foster Care supervisor when he asked about Chris’ long-term future plans. At that point she suggested the he take on the challenge himself and become the boy’s foster dad.
Going from being a dad with two grown children out of the house to now taking in a new son will be an adjustment, but Chris and Mr. Weeks both seem excited and ready. Chris will be making some adjustments as well. The foster family that he has been living with lives out in the country; but not Mr. Weeks.
“I live in the city right off of highway 278. His freedom will be limited a little bit, he won’t be able to roam around as much and he’ll have to learn a different way of living. Here there are different types of people…but he’ll be able to see different places and have new experiences.” said Mr. Weeks.
We are so thankful that people like Mr. Weeks put their love and concern into actions. A boy’s life will be truly changed because of the efforts of this high school principal. Becoming a mentor and a hero to a young man in need will certainly change his life as well.
“The teachers kid me that he’s already my kid because they know that I’m always taking care of him,” said Mr. Weeks with a laugh.
Posted by: Ashley @ 4:12 pm
With the heat upon us and vacations being planned, the United Methodist Children’s Home would like to extend an offer to help your church this summer!
We can provide a speaker to share about the UMCH while you are on vacation!
Just call the PR & Development office at (205) 951-1978 and provide the date and time and we will handle the rest! It is easy and it benefits a wonderful ministry!
Please call today to help us spread the word about all of God’s children who need our help.
Posted by: Ashley @ 2:56 pm
Odenville, AL - Low Gap UMC enjoyed a beautiful day at their annual yard sale to benefit the United Methodist Children’s Home.
It is the time of year for spring flowers, blooming trees and yard sales!
Members of Low Gap UMC began setting up early Saturday morning for their annual yard sale to benefit the United Methodist Children’s Home.
Peggy Vann, a member of Low Gap UMC, said although they are a small church, “in the past, we have made approximately $2,500 at this yard sale.”
It is a blessing to know how our local churches are helping to support the children year-round. Thank you to the members of Low Gap UMC!
Posted by: Jill @ 2:46 pm
Angie Lewis, children’s director at Jasper First UMC, accepts the “Heart of the Volunteer” award from UMCH TFC supervisor, Janice Hawkins.
The First United Methodist Church of Jasper has been a strong supporter of our therapeutic foster care program in Jasper, AL. The UMCH staff in Jasper presented them in January with our “Heart of a Volunteer” award. This church has received recognition in the past from UMCH, and they deserve it every year!
“We had a child come in here with just the clothes on his back and within no time they were down here with clothes. They are always ready to help if we need it and they are in the top 10 of giving in the Northern District,” said Janice Hawkins, Northwest TFC supervisor.
Every year they provide a big Christmas party for the foster care children in their area. They make sure each child is fully sponsored and receive some of the items on their Christmas lists. Children have walked away with big ticket items like a television or a Wii.
Throughout the year they are poised to provide for any emergency or special needs the children have. They have faithfully provided items such as clothing, a breathing machine, and computer monitors. They not only give money and goods but are also generous with their buildings.
“They allow me to use the church to train foster parents and hold advisory meetings,” said Janice.
Thank you First United Methodist of Jasper! May God bless you for your generosity.