Family Ministry

Family Ministry Mixer Calendar (Sundays at 10:00 a.m.)

February 19: TFG Mixer - Speaker on "Your Stressed Teen: Communication Breakdown"
February 26: YFG Mixer - "Into the Word" Fellowship Mixer

Family Ministry Fellowship and Education Calendar

February 25 - March 17: "Parenting from the Heart" Saturdays, register at parentingperspectives.com
February 26: *NEW* "Empty Bowls" family service event
March 4: *NEW Date* TFG Parent/Teen Movie Night "Haze"
March 11: *NEW* Thrivent Financial presents: "Kids & Money"
April 8: YFG Sunday Easter Egg Hunt
April 14: Splash - Speaker Paula Brown "Self"
April 20: FM Women's Book Group - Friday 7:00 p.m. "Sarah's Key"
April 21: *NEW* Family Community Service Event - Chicago Food Depository
*For details see the Upcoming events page. To register Events Registration page

What is Grace Family Ministry?

Grace Family Ministry consists of the Young Families of Grace (YFG) and the Teen Families of Grace (TFG). YFG supports parents with children birth to age 12, while TFG focuses on parents with teens. The stressors in today’s society are incredibly challenging. Grace Family Ministry feels the church should be a unique haven for parents to find support spiritually and personally. To that end, Family Ministry focuses on providing parents with many opportunities for personal connections, spiritual growth and fun. Moreover, Grace knows that the development of friendships within a faith community greatly enhances one’s satisfaction and joy in church life.

Support and Fellowship for Parents

Grace Family Ministry understands the challenges of parenting, as well as its impact on marriage, other relationships and one’s ability to provide self-care. Thus, the Ministry hosts "Mixers" on Sunday mornings during the 10:00 Education Hour. The goal of Family Ministry Mixers is to start the week off right with fellowship, education and spiritual guidance. Mixers are held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays for YFG and the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month for TFG in the very comfortable Bernard Lounge. After attending a Mixer, you will almost certainly leave with that great feeling of being more personally connected to and supported by your church. Many of our church couples come from varied faith backgrounds. Have a reluctant spouse? Bringing them meet the fun-loving and open-minded group of couples at a Family Ministry Mixer just might ease them into a level of comfort in church life at Grace.

A Community for Your Family

The Family Ministry sponsors a variety of family activities designed to foster a strong sense of identity and belonging in the church community. Events focus on fun, spiritual growth, and community service. Family activities have included a Pool Party at the Oak Brook Aquatic Center, a winter “Friday Night at the Movies” series at church, a summer Outdoor Family Movie Night, The Big Bible Giveaway, trips to the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Center, participation in the La Grange Pet Parade, an annual family Tree Trimming Party and our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Family Ministry also works closely with Men’s Ministry and the Older Adult Ministry to create unique and meaningful programming.

Adult Social Outings

Every other month, Family Ministry sponsors social outings for couples. It’s a great way to leave the worries and busyness of home life behind for an evening and enjoy the fun and support of church friends. How do couples get away for the evening? Family Ministry has established a Babysitting Database of church teens who can care for your children. Ladies Nights Out also take place every other month for women to get away from the daily grind and enjoy fellowship and fun together.

Online Communication and Support

Family Ministry fully understands the busy lifestyle of today’s family. In light of that, Family Ministry has created several venues for you to access and continue Christian fellowship online.

Family Ministry is on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/yfg. Type in “Young Families of Grace”, become a friend and post/discuss topics that matter to you with Grace friends.
The Family Ministry E-Newsletter is sent bi-weekly to provide you with family and spiritual resources, as well as to inform you of Family Ministry and church events that you can download to your electronic calendar
The Family Ministry Blog has been created to give members another way to discuss spiritual or other topics in a more in-depth way http://gracelutheran-lg.typepad.com/yfg_buzz
For questions, please contact Kerry Forsythe, Coordinator of Family Ministry at 708-352-0730 ext. 327 or k.forsythe@gracelutheran-lg.org .