The words and art for this ceremony are free gifts to you in order to put
tools that will help meet the needs of everyone involved in adoption—to
celebrate its wonder and also to add structure and sacredness to the
bittersweet day when the miracle of adoption occurs.
For those who created this tool, it’s not about selling books. It’s about
meeting the deep heart need of every adopted/foster/orphaned child to have a
physical connection with the birth family. This need has been likened by
adoption professionals to a starving man looking for food. We believe birth
mothers also have this need.
Because this connection is often impossible, the story of Forever Fingerprints contained in the book and the accompanying fingerprinting activity and ceremony accomplish this end, for our fingerprints are genetic ties to the birth family.
People and Organizations Who Might Find the Ceremony Beneficial:
- Adoption agencies: to help the birth mother pre-plan for the handing over of the child to the new parents
- Social workers: who may be removing a child from a bad home situation, wanting to honor the child’s need for connection
- Social workers: finalization ceremonies
- Adoption lawyers: finalization ceremonies; adoption events where you just want to celebrate adoption with the kids and parents
- Nurses: aiding in infant adoptions in the hospital
- Hospitals: incorporating the ceremony and book as part of a “gift package” to the birth mother
How to Use:
We suggest that two copies of the ceremony be made, one for the birth mother and her family, another for the new parents. If the birth mother would like to prepare in this way, the adoption professional, lawyer, or dedicated hospital employee can proceed in the way that is most appropriate for the situation.
Materials Needed:
The Adoption Celebration Ceremony (2-3 copies) Download (two pages - print double sided and fold)
Fingerprinting Sheets: - For the birth mother, with a meaningful verse and place to date the event; created suitable for framing. Download
- For the child, also with a meaningful verse and place to date the event; created suitable for framing or life book use. Download
- For children and parents, for adoption celebration parties, with fun kid stuff around the borders; suitable for yearly life book activities. Download
Book: Forever Fingerprints…An Amazing Discovery for Adopted Children (EMK Press), by Sherrie Eldridge and illustrated by Rob Williams
(May be purchased from EMK Press or Amazon):
- One as a gift for the child
- One for the birth mother, if she would like it
Fingerprint Pads:
- Good selection at scrap booking stores
- Fine tipped, colored markers, for drawing and leaving messages on the fingerprint sheets
The money involved in creating this project is being donated to the Rafiki Foundation, founded by former Bible Study Fellowship Director, Rosemary Jensen. This organization turns helpless orphans into godly contributors in their own country of Africa.
For those who created this tool, it’s not about selling books. It’s about
meeting the deep heart need of every adopted/foster/orphaned child to have a
physical connection with the birth family. This need has been likened by
adoption professionals to a starving man looking for food. We believe birth
mothers also have this need.Because this connection is often impossible, the story of Forever Fingerprints contained in the book and the accompanying fingerprinting activity and ceremony accomplish this end, for our fingerprints are genetic ties to the birth family.
People and Organizations Who Might Find the Ceremony Beneficial:
- Adoption agencies: to help the birth mother pre-plan for the handing over of the child to the new parents
- Social workers: who may be removing a child from a bad home situation, wanting to honor the child’s need for connection
- Social workers: finalization ceremonies
- Adoption lawyers: finalization ceremonies; adoption events where you just want to celebrate adoption with the kids and parents
- Nurses: aiding in infant adoptions in the hospital
- Hospitals: incorporating the ceremony and book as part of a “gift package” to the birth mother
How to Use:
We suggest that two copies of the ceremony be made, one for the birth mother and her family, another for the new parents. If the birth mother would like to prepare in this way, the adoption professional, lawyer, or dedicated hospital employee can proceed in the way that is most appropriate for the situation.
Materials Needed:
The Adoption Celebration Ceremony (2-3 copies) Download (two pages - print double sided and fold)
Fingerprinting Sheets: - For the birth mother, with a meaningful verse and place to date the event; created suitable for framing. Download
- For the child, also with a meaningful verse and place to date the event; created suitable for framing or life book use. Download
- For children and parents, for adoption celebration parties, with fun kid stuff around the borders; suitable for yearly life book activities. Download
Book: Forever Fingerprints…An Amazing Discovery for Adopted Children (EMK Press), by Sherrie Eldridge and illustrated by Rob Williams
(May be purchased from EMK Press or Amazon):
- One as a gift for the child
- One for the birth mother, if she would like it
Fingerprint Pads:
- Good selection at scrap booking stores
- Fine tipped, colored markers, for drawing and leaving messages on the fingerprint sheets
The money involved in creating this project is being donated to the Rafiki Foundation, founded by former Bible Study Fellowship Director, Rosemary Jensen. This organization turns helpless orphans into godly contributors in their own country of Africa.
