News & Events

We think our foster parents are pretty amazing, and the gift they give our foster children of a home – a safe, loving home – is invaluable. We try to do as much as we can to support them, including getting them together to meet each other so they can be a support for one another.

One of our awesome foster families, the Beaulieus, was gracious to open up their home for several other families in their area to come over for a meet and greet. Socials like this allow our families to meet other foster parents who are facing similar experiences and challenges, and encourage more seasoned foster parents to mentor those are who are new to the adventure!

To hear from our foster parents themselves on why they chose to foster parent with UMCH, watch the video below. And if you are interested in becoming a foster parent with UMCH, click here or contact Denise Peacock today!

We’re all digging out from the snow around here and remembering the “Snow Party” thrown by some of the youth in our Independent Living Program for the children at Our House (a preschool for homeless families in Decatur). Little did our youth know they’d be getting the kiddos prepared for REAL snow in a few short days!

Our youth set up activity stations based on the theme of winter and snow.

The preschoolers made edible snowmen (mini cupcakes, decorated with white icing, raisins for eyes, pretzels for arms, a carrot sliver for a nose, and a fruit roll up for a hat and scarf).

One of our youth manned the snow cone station.

And the children made art using their hand prints.

Their hand prints formed the base of the tree – no leaves of course, since it’s winter!

The party was a big hit with the preschoolers, and our youth had a great time as well! Of course, the real snow that followed a few days later was pretty exciting too!

Read more about the snow party from staff member Carol Younger’s reflections in the next issue of Signposts. If you don’t receive Signposts, our quarterly newsletter, click here to sign up.

We have had an incredible December at the Children’s Home – filled with celebrations, worship, food and fun. We are overwhelmed by your generosity and humbled by your thoughtfulness toward us. From serving meals to providing gifts to wrapping those gifts… Your love has been made evident to all of the children, youth and families who we are blessed to serve.

We have put together a video to thank you for your support all year long, so if you haven’t already seen it, please watch it. And know that this is just a taste of the gratitude we feel for all that you have done in the Christmas season and throughout 2010.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and THANK YOU!

Our “Agape Meals” have been going wonderfully during the Advent season. After our Sunday night chapel service, everyone heads over to the dining room for a delicious meal, provided and served by our amazing volunteers.

Last Sunday the youth choir from Greenforest Community Baptist Church performed in our chapel service and brought Christmas gifts to our children and families. Then the Kiwanis Club of Decatur and the Key Club of Decatur High School brought an amazing spread of food. Everyone is still talking about the delicious (and abundant!) meal.

We’d love for your group to join us in the new year! We are looking for groups to join us in worship and then provide and serve a meal to our community of children, youth and families. If your group is interested in providing the meal and joining us for some fellowship during an Agape Meal in 2011, email Jane Howland or call her at 404.327.5832 for more information.

Why, yes, it is!

Every Sunday night our campus gathers in the Chapel for a worship service as a community. During the Advent season, our children in Family Housing have formed a choir called the Christmas Angels. This past Sunday night they sang Silent Night and Peace Like a River.

Before the service, all our children, youth and families on campus are invited to bake Christmas cookies together. So far they’ve made gingerbread houses and candy cane cookies – yum! Then after the worship service, our campus continues to fellowship with a community meal.

These meals will continue in the new year as well – we are calling them Agape Meals. If your group is interested in providing the meal and joining us for some fellowship during an Agape Meal in 2011, email Jane Howland or call her at 404.327.5832 for more information.