+Atlanta: Grateful for Adoption

From The Living Church-

The Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright, 10th Bishop of Atlanta, spoke recently with Dennis O’Hayer of NPR affiliate WABE.

Wright discussed his role as the first African American bishop of Atlanta, the Episcopal Church’s rite for blessing same-sex couples, the gospel (“The issue of God is the most to me; “I think we’ve got to talk about God more”), racial profiling and decriminalizing traffic offenses, and Georgia’s proposed personhood amendment, which he supports, while also “respecting people’s right to choose.”

“As someone who was adopted personally and as someone who has adopted, I am grateful, in a profound way, that … my mother, my biological mother, brought me to term, and gave me the opportunity to live the life that I have lived,” he said. “I am grateful to God for that.”

The bishop said the personhood amendment also should shape Georgians’ thinking about the death penalty and care for the elderly.

More here (including links to the interview)

http://www.livingchurch.org/atlanta-grateful-adoption

Christians across Pittsburgh help evolve approach to adoption

From Pittsburgh-

Among stacks of movies, family photos and Christian-themed books in Rob and Amanda Szenyeri's Cranberry home is a sign that reads, "Grant me the patience to deal with my blessings."

The parents of four, who adopted an infant from Ethiopia last year, try to live by those words.

On a recent Wednesday evening, Mr. and Mrs. Szenyeri, both 36, prepared dinner for 9-year-old Eli, 6-year-old Hank, 4-year-old Trey and the newest addition to their family: a joyful 20-month-old girl named Sidame, nicknamed Mae.

The couple adopted Mae in September 2011 through All God's Children, a Portland, Ore.-based Christian adoption agency.

"She was meant to be with us," Mrs. Szenyeri said. "God has a plan for her life."

Read more:

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/region/christians-across-pittsburgh-help-evolve-approach-to-adoption-660521/#ixzz2BFramJ8Y

Defend the Orphan: An Age-Old Christian Lesson Gets a New Lease on Life

An interesting piece in today's Wall Street Journal about adoption as a Christian responsibility and how it might impact the presidential campaign. (says Sandy)

"If John McCain is looking for a way to shore up his support among evangelical voters, he might start talking about adoption. In 1993, the McCains adopted a daughter from Mother Teresa's orphanage in Bangladesh, and the senator has co-sponsored legislation to aid adoption, including measures that would provide tax credits for expenses and would remove barriers to interracial and interethnic adoption. But his efforts are rarely mentioned on the campaign trail at a time when adoption is a hot topic in the evangelical community."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121996442316481379.html