FROM THE STATISTICS FILES
Thanks to Wally Vinovskis (WRVinovskis@cs.com) for sharing the following statistics for this issue of the Family Ministry E-Bulletin:

Fewer women are feeding babies and changing diapers. More than 40% of women who are in their childbearing years have no children, according to a new report from the US Census Bureau. This isn't an anomaly. The number of childless women has been climbing steadily for the past seven years. Why? The Census Bureau opted not to explain it, but experts think it's pretty easy to figure out: professional women are delaying motherhood to pursue their careers, and by the time they decide to start a family, it's often too late.

From the US Census Bureau:
* Women who live in metro areas and are affluent are more likely to be childless
* More than 47% of women who make more than $75,000/year have no children
* 40% of those who make less than $20,000 are childless
* More than 50% of Asian-American women are childless
* Latinos are the most likely ethnic group to have children

In 1976, just 10% of women between the ages of 40-44 were childless. By 2000, that number had reached 19%, but in 2002, it dipped to 18%. At the same time, the number of mothers in the labor force has actually dropped since its peak in 1998 when 58.7% of moms worked. By 2002, that number was 54.6%. Even more telling, mothers of infants under 1 year old are more likely to be completely out of the work force than they are to be working full-time.

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT EXPERIENCE OFFERED
Camp Okoboji, an LCMS outdoor ministry located in Milford, Iowa, is sponsoring a Marriage Enrichment Experience led by Pastor and Mrs. Ray Salemink and Pastor and Mrs. Tim Schiller. Our office trained both couples. MEE is an opportunity for Christian husbands and wives, who enjoy a happy and strong marriage, to take time away in order to dialogue about their relationship. Based on Scriptural discussions, husbands and wives will examine a variety of relationship issues, and through leader facilitation, grow in their love for one another and in their relationship with their Lord. Come enjoy the winter wonderland of Camp Okoboji and the coziness of the large retreat center. Cost for the entire weekend is $150.00 per couple, which includes meals, lodging, and program fees. In addition, a special Valentine's Day dinner is being planned. To register, contact Lori Gamble at 712-337-3325 or by email at lori.camp@iowawest.org.

GOOD IDEAS FROM THE FIELD
Pastor Mark Dahn from St. John's Lutheran in Battle Creek, Nebraska, writes, "In working with Jr/Sr high youth in confirmation classes, I have found material by Pam Stenzel very effective in addressing issues of sexuality, abortion, and STDs. I have used her hour-long video "Sex Has a Price Tag" for a parents and students session and then followed it up using her four-part curriculum "Sex, Love, and Relationships," with the kids. This curriculum gives opportunities for follow-up discussions between parents and kids via take-home activities. To find out more, contact Pastor Dahn at pastord@conpoint.com.

Mark Rhoads, a DCE at St. Paul's in Austin, writes, "Table Talk is a good idea. Have two or three questions on a slip of paper for families to share while eating fellowship meals at church. Sample questions might be: "Who is your favorite Biblical character? Why?" Another question might be: "Share a time when God helped you out of a mess." "What is your favorite family tradition and why?" During Advent or Lenten dinners, the questions would relate to the theme of the worship service. For family devotions, we begin our Sunday School hour as one big group in the fellowship hall. I lead an opening based on the Our Life in Christ Sunday School lesson for the day. This helps adults/parents know what their child is learning that day. We sing a familiar song and then dismiss everyone to his or her separate classes.

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Marshfield, Wisconsin celebrates "Key Moments in the Life of a Family" through their Milestone Ministry, beginning at Baptism. Each newly baptized child receives a "Faith Chest," a 23"x13"x14" oak chest made by members of the congregation, where items are placed to chronicle the child's faith life as they grow. When the child is ready to leave home as an adult, the chest is given to them to take into their own home, to remind them that their faith is very important, and that they need to continue to give their own children the same opportunities to learn about God. For more information about this idea, contact Sheila Thomack, DCE, or Pastor Bob Brandt at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Marshfield, Wisconsin (715) 384-5121.

Linda Storm of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Springfield, Virginia is willing to share information about "Christian infant massage." The program is called "Nurturing Your Newborn," and brings a Biblical foundation to the skills parents need to nurture themselves and their babies during the first year of life. Another program Linda recommends is one developed by Sue Laney which combines the techniques of the Nurturing Parenting Program into a Biblical foundation providing parents the skills needed to help them with their children at all stages of life. You can reach Linda Storm at (703) 440-0179 or at her email address to learn more linda@touchforlife.org.

JOYCE HEFFERNAN REQUESTS YOUR IMMEDIATE HELP
Joyce Heffernan, a family minister at Marco Lutheran Church in Marco Island, Florida, recently received a flyer advertising a video series from Phil Waldrep Ministries. The 8-week series is being offered at $129. It relates to "Parenting Prodigals," which Joyce reports is a topic that many people in her congregation are struggling to address. She would like to know if any of our readership could give a brief critique of the video series before she purchases it. Contact Joyce at joyous5@comcast.net.

GOT A GREAT IDEA OR A NEW RESOURCE?
The Family Ministry E-Bulletin can serve as a "common ground" for all of us. Please share family ministry ideas that work in your church or school. Or, if you have recently discovered a new tool or resource, please let us know. We will include your suggestions and comments in the next issue. Send them to jeff.schubert@lcms.org.

THANKS FROM BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Charles Heinemann checked in from Bethel Lutheran Church in Claremont, North Carolina, to say, "I enjoy the quotes that you include in your Family Ministry E-Bulletin, especially those that can be included as thought provokers in our Sunday bulletin. From time to time, they show up in discussions during Bible class or LLL breakfasts." Thanks, Charles. We appreciate your compliment!

DR. DAVID BREDEHOFT NAMED "CERTIFIED FAMILY LIFE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR"
Dr. David Bredehoft, professor of Psychology and Family Studies and chair of the Social and Behavioral Sciences department at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota, was recently honored as the Certified Family Life Educator of the Year at the 65th Annual Meeting of the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) in Vancouver, British Columbia. Congratulations, Dr. Bredehoft!

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY IN SEWARD, NEBRASKA
Concordia University Nebraska is offering an online Parish Education Administration course beginning in January 2004 that would be helpful to practitioners of family life ministry. Contact Dr. Paul Schoepp at paul.schoepp@cune.edu for more information or visit the course information page on the web at www.cune.edu:2217/public/EDUC485/index.html.

OUTREACH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE 2004 FEATURES FAMILY MINISTRY
"Building Blocks for Today's Great Commission Congregations" is the theme for the fourth annual Outreach Leadership Institute (OLI). The institute is a training event for leaders who have a heart for evangelism and outreach. OLI is scheduled for July 29-31 at Concordia University, St. Paul. The cost is $160 and covers registration, housing, and meals. One of the module topics is entitled, "Family Ministry and Outreach." For further information, call (651) 641-8701 or OHSCO@CSP.edu.

FAMILY MINISTRY E-BULLETIN HITS NEW RECORD
As of December 5th, this E-bulletin has hit an all time high for subscribers. 4,648 family ministry advocates have joined our ranks. We continue to get much positive feedback about this resource, which aims to network good ideas, announce important news and events, and keep you abreast of trends in family ministry both within and outside of the LCMS. If you wish to subscribe others, have them follow the instructions that follow.


SPECIAL MAILING COMING TO FAMILY MINISTRY PRACTITIONERS
In a short time, all registered family ministry practitioners in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod will be receiving a mailing which will unveil the new "Lutheran Family Ministry Network" which is being announced shortly. If you are not registered as a "family ministry practitioner," please visit our Web site to subscribe, free of charge, online.

PLEASE PRAY FOR FAMILIES
It goes without saying, but the families in our country need your prayers. Especially are we mindful of the many families who have loved ones in the armed forces and who serve around the world...especially in Iraq. Please pray for all our families on a daily basis.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
Part of the mission of DCS is networking resources for our partners in ministry. All resources on our Web site with stock numbers beginning with "S" are resources published by Concordia Publishing House that passed LCMS doctrinal review. Additional resources are recommended from time to time with the confidence that our professional church workers are trained to discern what is useful and proper for Lutheran churches and schools.