Infertility Awareness Week is the last week in April. The website for National Infertility Awareness Week has a wealth of resources for those who want to "advocate for the 1 in 8."
One of the biggest complaints about church that I've heard recently is that we (church leaders) don't talk about the important issues affecting the bodies of the people in the pews. I have yet to attend a church that mentions Infertility Awareness - and that's scary considering 1 in 8 couples who desire to get pregnant are affected by infertility. If we as church leaders never mention it, we reinforce the idea that infertility is something to be aware of. I encourage all church leaders who visit this website to study up on infertility, learn more the grief and crippling losses that accompany it, and reach out to your congregations and communities to advocate for awareness and understanding. I challenge you to mention infertility as a church leader. From the pulpit, in a prayer, in your newsletter. Someway, somehow, acknowledge the pain. Let your congregations and communities know that infertility isn't something to be ashamed of. Walk with them in their pain. Accompany them on their way to healing. Let them know you care. Because when you let them know that you care, you are reminding them that God cares. It's important. Say something.
0 Comments
Click here to download a 97 page resource from Enriching our Worship.
This resource has several prayers, liturgies, laments, and scripture references for anyone who comes to you that is dealing with infertility and other types of reproductive grief. As someone who has lived with infertility for more than a decade, I will say that these prayers and especially scripture readings and laments have been helpful for me to maintain hope. It gives me reassurance that God is with me and that God is listening to me. It brings peace when infertility brings pain. This will be a wonderful resource for any church leader to help individuals and couples in your congregations who are hurting. 1 in 8 couples that are trying to get pregnant will deal with infertility at some point along the way. Think of your congregations - there are likely several couples sitting in your pews who have gone through this, but you may never have known it. This resource will help you care for those couples even better. If someone seeking your care is dealing with infertility, I'd gently suggest you learn more about it if you haven't been through it yourself. I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend this book. It will help you learn more about the struggles, the emotions, the fears, and also about ways to find hope. Though this book is not written specifically for pastors, I encourage every pastor to read it. As someone living with infertility, I felt my own self being reflected back to me in this book. If you don't understand infertility, this is a treasure chest. Click here to order Melissa Kelley's book. She details the shortfalls of Kübler-Ross theory of the stages of grief. Instead, she encourages pastors to consider the mosaic theory. She works to bring psychology and pastoral care in her writing. Click here to learn more about future stories. There are particular stories in Dr. Lester's text about a couple dealing with infertility specifically, and it includes a case study of them both defining the future story that didn't come to fruition as well as writing a new future story. Click here to order Rev. Dr. Luke A. Powery's book. It includes a lot of details about "little deaths" as discussed on the "Dreams Deferred" page of this mosaic. While it doesn't specifically refer to infertility, it guides preachers on ways to preach hope in the midst of all death, including little deaths. |
Dear Church Leaders,
I am a seminary student with experience teaching and preaching in church and community settings. If you are interested in having a conversation at your church or in a local community setting about the theological implications related to infertility, please reach out. I'd love to come and speak with you, your church or community leaders, or your family of faith. Find me on the "Contact" page of this mosaic. Dallas ThompsonArchivesCategories |