Welcome! October is here, and so are you—thanks for reading! We've got a busy month coming up with lots to share, so grab your pumpkin spice (or not, we don't judge) and let's catch you up on what's happening.

Embrace: A Community That Gets It

When I became a foster and adoptive parent, I quickly realized I needed to be around people who truly understood this journey. Caring for children who've experienced trauma is different—it comes with unique challenges that even well-meaning friends and family don't always get. And honestly? There aren't many resources available. Unlike other special needs communities, there aren't tons of studies or established protocols to guide us. We're often figuring it out as we go.

That's why I started Embrace.

I needed a place where I didn't have to explain why certain behaviors happen or why traditional parenting approaches don't always work. I needed people who could sit with me in the challenging moments without judgment and celebrate the small victories that others might not even notice.
Through Embrace, I've learned a great deal from other families who are walking this same path. It reminded me I wasn't alone and that maybe, just maybe, we could keep going.

That's what Embrace is about: giving each other the strength to keep going. Because when you're surrounded by people who truly understand, the impossible starts to feel possible again.

**A Year of Growth**

What a year 2024-2025 has been! We originally met on Wednesday nights so families could enjoy both the Recovery church services and our support group. We've provided over 20 meals each week at no cost to families—first by joining the Fighting Chance dinners, then by hosting our own catered meals thanks to grant funding.

We've heard from incredible guest speakers who've shared their wisdom and experiences. Denise and Sydney Williams talked about their journey as adoptive parents, physician, and lawyer. Lynn Moad encouraged us as an adoptive mom. Daneeta Harris taught us about attachment, and Michael Arnt explained EMDR therapy and its healing effects for children who've experienced trauma.

Over the summer, we adapted to meet families' needs, changing our meeting days to Sunday evenings on a bi-weekly basis, hosting a Parents' Night Out at On Par with childcare at Mosaic, and discovering our love for outdoor picnics where kids play on the play set while adults connect under the tents.

I'm especially proud of our Kids Care Team. Every worker has TBRI training (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) and is passionate about supporting foster, kinship, and adoptive families. Joanna Song and Lori Griffin have created a structure that helps children feel safe and meet their unique needs. My own five daughters constantly ask, "Is this the Sunday we have Embrace?!"

But what I'm most proud of is the collaboration. Church leadership, staff, and congregation work together to make Embrace possible. Roz secured grant funding from the West Ohio Conference, and we received an award for our work. Wayne keeps us focused on being a team effort—a cord of three strands that will endure. Tiffaney Taylor structures meetings and hires kids care workers. Morgan Thornburg and Skyler Cash set up for us. DJ Shorter creates our beautiful digital presence. Karen Muller advocates to the Mosaic Board. And my husband Justin and our five daughters support me every step of the way. All of this is love poured out through Christ's saints.

What's Coming This Year

As we start 2025-2026, I'm excited about deepening our connections. We're also bringing in speakers from our community and beyond. These events are open to the entire Mosaic congregation. 

- October 5: Greene County Library will share all of the wonderful resources they offer families
- November 2: Kim Hamer will present via Zoom about grief and healing (her book 100 Acts of Love will be available)
- January 4, 2026: Kevan and Katie Chandler will share about their work with orphans in China and living with disability as we read The Hospitality of Need (Please pray for warm weather so they can travel from Fort Wayne!)

Each meeting will focus on a theme—education, counseling, physical activities, community resources, clothing, summer camps—and we're creating a living document to share local services and resources.

The journey to support foster and adoptive children can feel dark, lonely, and overwhelming. But help is just a church service away. I need Embrace. I need you. And together, we're creating something truly special—a little slice of heaven right here on earth.

Blessings, 
Hannah Handley

We're continuing our Share The Dream series throughout October. Together, we'll explore how Dr. King's voice echoed Scripture and how his actions were anchored in timeless biblical principles: love, justice, freedom, perseverance, and hope. God is already moving powerfully through Mosaic during this series, and we're expectant about what's ahead. As we listen, learn, and stretch beyond our comfort zones, we're discovering what it means to grow in love and become better together. We are welcoming two guest speakers and have three opportunities to dig deeper beyond this series. Click the links below to learn more and sign up for each opportunity. 

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All Church Sunday

All Church Sunday

On the first Sunday of every month, we combine the best of both traditional and contemporary worship into one powerful service. You'll experience communion, enhanced worship elements, and the joy of our whole church family gathered together. It's worship that goes deeper and celebrates the beautiful diversity of our congregation.

NEW SERVING OPPORTUNITIES! 

There are so many new ways to connect through serving at Mosaic. Click to learn more about each opportunity and to register.

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Mosaic Church Financial Update: January – August 2025  

Dear Mosaic Family,  

I want to take a moment to thank you and share a brief update on where we stand financially. Through the end of August, Mosaic reflects a net profit of $41,462 year-to-date. This margin shows that, even with a few challenges along the way, God has provided abundantly, and we remain in a healthy position overall.  

On the revenue side, through August we had budgeted to receive $464,517, but actual giving and income came in stronger at $519,836. That puts us ahead of projection by just over $55,000. Expenses year-to-date totaled $478,375, which is about $13,859 above budget. While this is slightly higher than projected, it has been more than covered by your generous giving.  

Looking more closely at August 2024, revenue came in under projection for that month. However, this was a short-term dip, and by comparison, at the same point in 2025 we are already ahead of budget by double digits. This is a testimony to God’s faithfulness and your ongoing generosity.  

I am deeply grateful for the way you give, faithfully, sacrificially, and joyfully. Your giving makes it possible for Mosaic to continue to walk, work, and worship together in unity, to bless our community, and to move forward in ministry. As we head into the fall, I want to encourage you to continue giving in the ways that best fit you, whether in person at worship, through online giving, setting up recurring giving, or even exploring gifts of stock or estate giving. If you would like more information about giving, please reach out anytime at info@wearemosaic.org. Every gift matters and makes a difference.  

Thank you for being a part of this journey and for all the ways you support God’s work through Mosaic.  

With gratitude,  

Pastor Roz 

Coming up at Mosaic Church!

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