PURPOSE:

      • "To facilitate gentle interaction between a caring church member
        and parents of a newborn"

        WHAT IS The Welcome Baby Project?

      • To welcome the new arrival by sending a Welcome Baby Greeting
        Card         and to deliver a monthly Welcome Baby Newsletter

        HOW TO GET STARTED

      • Acquire the Welcome Baby Resource Manual from Family Matters
        ( address = at the end )
      • Send a Welcome Baby Card
      • Read the first (the others later) Welcome Baby Newsletter
      • Take the first Welcome Baby Newsletter seven days after you have
        send the Card to the parents of the newborn
      • Deliver monthly the next 11 Newsletters

      You may not have the personnel nor the facilities to implement all
      the ideas suggested here. Therefore, adjust this project to what you
      can do!

      The following is an abbreviated table of Contents of the Welcome Baby
      Resource Manual      .



        Newsletter T H E M E S with Corresponding I D E A S

        1. Month Theme: Care of the Newborn

          I d e a s :
          • Form a Mothers of Newborns Support Group, or
          • Conduct a Nurturing Newborns Seminar

        2. Month Theme: Sources for the Church to Consider

          I d e a s :
          • Take a look at the books, audio and video tapes mentioned
            in the Manual
          • Get acquainted with your community resources

        3. Month Theme: Exercise

          I d e a s :
          • Can your church form an Aerobic Exercise Group?

        4. Month Theme: Baby Dedication

          I d e a s :
          • Have a Baby Dedication in your church or at the home of the
            young couple
          • Make it a special event "with a lot of music (a personal note)"

        5. Month Theme: Build a Support Network

          I d e a s :
          • Begin a Mothers Support Group
          • Consider a Clothing Exchange
          • A Toy Library would make a real contribution to the
            community

        6. Month Theme: Meeting Baby's Older Children's Needs.

          I d e a s :
          • Introduce the older children to your Pathfinder Club
            and / or to the Sabbath School Class of their age, and to
            Your Story Hour

             


        7. Month Theme: The Baby's Social Awareness

          I d e a s :
          • For developing social skills, suggest the Cradle Roll
            to the parents
          • This is important especially for single parent families!

        8. Month Theme: Nutrition and Health

          I d e a s :
          • Invite the family to Church Fellowship Meals
          • Invite them to a Sabbath meal at your home AND
            at other members' homes

        9. Month Theme: Break Time for Parents

          I d e a s :
          • Give the new parents a break by taking care of their
            children for an evening every so often

        10. Month Theme: Family Satisfaction

          I d e a s :
          • Provide a Marriage Enrichment / Marriage Encounter
            Seminar

        11. Month Theme: Dealing with a Mobile Child

          I d e a s :
          • Children ned to play together.
            Therefore, introduce other children to the family

        12. Month Theme: Character Development

          I d e a s :
          • Celebrate the baby's first birthday
          • have the church start a little Children's Library,
            including a Children Bible and Character building Story
            books
          • Introduce the new parents to a small group that studies
            the Bible
          • For Bible Study Guides try:

              Amazing Facts - Bible Study Guides or
              Voice of Prophecy - Discover Bible Study Guides



            RESOURCES:

              ( 1992 ) Welcome Baby Resource Manual, a Complete Guide for
              Establishing and Operating the Welcome Baby Program in your
              Local Church           [ = includes a manual - the 12 newsletters - a video ]
              Family Matters   $35?

          I highly recommend the translation of at least the outline of
                   this Manual!


                 


        FAMILY MATTERS MINISTRY
        1105 Big Creek Road
        LaFollette TN 37766

        Web site: http://www.familymattersministry.com
        Phone: 423-566-5007
        Fax: 423-566-6007
        Cell: 423-494-7509
        E-mail: Family Matters Ministry


          wolfhard touchard, retired reference & database librarian
          andrews university   september 2007