Three years ago I re-affiliated with SJA after 15 years of being out of state and the two most striking developments at SJA I immediately noticed were [1] the growth in depth of spirituality within the community and [2] the unquestionable commitment to children and families—ALL families. One clear example of our parish community’s commitment to families is the Adoption Ministry.

What better way to support, nurture and celebrate adoptive families than to host an evening where families can celebrate their uniqueness. On Friday, January 25th over 35 family members attended the Adoptive Family Fun Night from 6-8 pm in the SJA Hospitality Hall. In the Lake Woebegone-style, families brought “hot dishes,” salads and desserts to share. But even better than the great food was THE Amazing Richard, Master of Mystery who performed his magic to the wonderment of all the children…and many of the adults!! Whether it was pulling rubber chickens out of an empty box or making coins disappear, the Amazing Richard held the group spell bound for an hour.

In addition to the unbelievable magic of the Amazing Richard, the SJA Adoption Ministry is also planning a water park and pizza party—for details call Kathy Itzin at the Parish office [612.823.8205] or email her at kitzin@stjoan.com.

No ministry is without its labor and a special thanks to Adoption Ministry Board Members Sheri Ahl, Kathy Itzin*, Mark Abeln, Richard and Gabrielle Dane-Dodson, Nancy Lynch*, Mark Quinn, Barbara Cruz, Christine Pikala [* denotes Charter Members] who organized the Adoptive Family Fun Night, and are planning future events.

For those who might be thinking of adopting a child, the mission of the SJA Adoption Ministry [ stjoan.com/adoptionfr.htm ] is to support and educate parishioners and friends in all types of adoptions and related issues and to help assist those forming adoptive families. SJA Adoption Ministry also has a formal affiliation with Children’s Home Society and Family Service** for adoption services and supportive workshops for adoptive families.

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Phil Klees, aka Dr. Phil, is a licensed psychologist with clinical expertise with adolescents, adults and, couples and families. He has been nomadic in his career working in Anchorage, AK, Little Rock, AR (shook Bill Clinton’s hand—YES!!!) and Miami, FL. Three years ago he returned to his home state of Minnesota. Phil has been emotionally connected to SJA for 20+ years and an official member since returning to Minneapolis. Phil can be contacted at psklees@yahoo.com.

**Children’s Home Society and Family Service [ http://www.chsfs.org ] desires to partner with faith communities in order to help them establish, or build upon an adoption ministry. It is through the personal, emotional and spiritual connections of an adoption ministry/program that potential adoptive families overcome fears and realize their desire to parent a waiting child. Our research shows that there are families that desire to adopt waiting children but never act on that desire out of feelings of fear and/or inadequacy. While adopting an older child can bring challenges, families will be assured that there are other families, as well as the whole church body, who share their faith and who will be there to provide the needed support. While all members of the congregation may not be called to adopt a waiting child, there is a role for everyone to play in supporting adoptive parents and waiting children.