Text Box: They all want to enhance the spiritual journeys of the people that they all love to serve. So, lunch with my friend Leah is where all those questions came up. Leah was working for LSS & LADD in their F.A.C.E.S. program and she seemed like the best brain to pick. The Lutheran Association for the Developmentally Disabled (aka LADD) and The Lutheran Service Society of New York partnered to help form a wonderful educational opportunity for people with developmental disabilities. The Program is called F.A.C.E.S. and stands Text Box: “How can we make MORE of a difference? How can we go beyond what we are already doing?” This set of questions started an exciting set of actions between partners of the Lutheran Community. I had just been hired by Bethesda Lutheran Homes & Services (out of Wisconsin) in partnership with The Lutheran Service Society of NY, LADD, Camp Pioneer and the Eastern District. The partnership was looking for someone to make connections between all of the partners and people with developmental disabilities. Text Box: for: Faith-Activities-Connections-Expression-Song. Under the F.A.C.E.S. title, two programs have evolved: The F.A.C.E.S. Bell Choir, and the F.A.C.E.S. Bible Studies. Leah is a leader of some of the Bible Studies in area group homes and she is also a co-director of the Bell Choir. As a result of the F.A.C.E.S. program and LADD & LSS of NY’s willingness to expand, the F.A.C.E.S. Bible Class, (a respite for parents/guardians for 3 hours on some Saturdays, a renewed faith for some participants and strengthened faith for some Text Box: F.A.C.E.S. of What Can Happen Text Box: Page # Text Box: SUMMER 2007 Text Box: Thriving through Caring

Service to others is a privilege and a joy.  We are called by God to be his hands, eyes, ears and feet, remembering that “whatsoever you do unto the least of these my children you do unto Me”.  The way to keep serving God through others and the way to maintain the joy in service is to take very good care of yourself.  The one person you will be guaranteed to be with until the day you die is YOU, be your own best friend, you deserve it.

 

“ They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”. 

Contains helpful information, both medical and emotional, concerning how to best cope with, and advocate for a loved one who is hospitalized. To purchase a copy call the office at 631-9212. Cost is $10.80 which includes tax. A donation is made to LSS of NY for each book purchased.

ATTENTION CARE GIVERS …...

This book may help you in

your

journey.

Caring about others,

running the risk of feeling,

and

leaving an impact on people, brings happiness.

A physician at Women and Children’s Hospital provides care for a baby  born  prematurely .

This  orphaned little girl from Poland  now  has a  family  to love and care for her.

 Students of a Lutheran School show they care about others by collecting needed items for  homeless people in WNY.

On Saturday afternoon, a caring  staff  teaches individuals  with  developmental disabilities  that God cares about them.