Foster Care Sunday Info: “Why Foster Care Sunday?”
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:27
At the heart of Foster Care Sunday is to inspire and equip God’s people to live the “pure religion” described in the book of James and expressed throughout Scripture. Our aim as shepherds and leaders is to help the people of God live in ways that are decisively different and set apart (holy) and embody self-giving sacrifice (helpfulness) for the orphan, widow and vulnerable among us. It’s the intricate and never mutually exclusive relationship between identity and action – allowing what we do to flow from who we are.
Our goal as the Church is not recruitment or activism first; it is discipleship. Ultimately, to see the people of God deeply celebrating the love of God for us through the work of Jesus (identity – who we are) and then widely demonstrating that love in our work on behalf of those around us (action – what we do).
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Proverbs 31:8
In any community, children without the protection of their parents are the most vulnerable. As Christians we are called to care for the vulnerable. We are also called to act as advocates, the Bible shows us that we are reflecting the character of Jesus and how he first loved us. Both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are referred to as our advocates – Jesus advocates for us to the Father (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:24, 1 Timothy 2:5) and the Holy Spirit advocates for us when we don’t know how to pray (Romans 8:26).
On Foster Care Sunday you have an opportunity to advocate for children growing up in care at your church. Speak about the need for more foster and kinship carers, the need for more Indigenous carers, the need to change outcomes for children leaving out of home care …
Utilise this Sunday focus as a catalyst for further, ongoing, long-term engagement in the lives of vulnerable children and families. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord.
Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Foster Care Sunday is just the start. We pray that each year as churches around Australia celebrate Foster Carer’s Sunday more people will respond with action.
Mary Blake
Help us find stable, loving homes for any child who needs one, and provide support for those that do.
If you are interested in any aspect of foster care or supporting financially, please go to:
https://www.fosteringhope.net.au/