wfn.org | Episcopalians: General Convention will deal with children and youth issues

[dmack@episcopalchurch.org]

June 13, 2003

2003-133

Episcopalians: General Convention will deal with children and 
youth issues

by Richelle Thompson

(ENS) Viewing children as the church's greatest resource, the 
Standing Commission on National Concerns focused on ways that 
the Episcopal Church could be a powerful and faithful advocate 
for children. 

The group, which met five times during the triennium, decided 
that health care for children should be at the top of the 
agenda. The rising cost of health insurance plagues families and 
individuals throughout the country, but its impact is acutely 
felt among children. The commission cites statistics that show 
nearly 11 million children lack basic health care insurance even 
though most live in families where at least one parent works. 

"Children are our most important valuable that we have in this 
country," said Deborah J. Stokes, chair of the commission. "If 
we don't take the responsibility for nurturing and protecting 
our children, then no one else will. We need to be more 
intentional about the needs and rights of our children."

The commission proposes the Episcopal Church take several steps 
toward addressing the problem, including encouraging dioceses 
and congregations to establish programs that help parents apply 
for government aid. The commission also calls upon the Office of 
Government Relations of the Episcopal Church in Washington, DC, 
to work with federal government leaders to provide adequate 
funding and access to health care and mental health services. 
Further, Resolution A122 proposes that the church push for 
changes to end-of-life care for children, giving them more 
access to hospice care and support services as well as pain 
relief.

Commitment to youth

Health care also figures prominently in another proposal, one to 
reestablish a Standing Commission on Health and to add a staff 
person to assist the newly formed commission. This group would 
be charged with lobbying on behalf of the Episcopal Church and 
its views on health care policy, advocating for decent and 
appropriate health care for all people and collecting and 
sharing resources about new developments and materials related 
to access to health care. This work builds upon a resolution 
from the 2000 General Convention that asked the church to put 
political pressure on lawmakers to develop a better health care 
system. 

In addition to health care, ministry to "at-risk" youth emerged 
as a priority. Building on the work of the 73rd General 
Convention, the commission asks that the church reaffirm its 
commitment to "support the development of caring, competent and 
loving young people." Developing anger-management courses, 
teaching the power of forgiveness and forging partnerships with 
community-based agencies, are all proposed tools in ministering 
to at-risk youth. 

The destructive nature of dependency on drugs and/or alcohol 
prompted the commission to call on all dioceses to establish a 
committee that would provide educational programs for clergy, 
church staff and congregations. The measure also asks dioceses 
to work toward better and more up-to-date treatment policies and 
ensure that health care insurance includes coverage for mental 
health and addiction problems.

Criminal justice concerns

Just as Jesus sent his disciples to visit those in prison, the 
Standing Commission on National Concerns calls upon dioceses and 
congregations to commit to prison ministry and advocate for 
occupational and educational programs that can help prisoners 
prepare for re-entry into society. Other criminal justice 
concerns include developing alternative facilities for juvenile 
offenders and the revision of mandatory drug sentencing.

Also proposed is more advocacy for laws that would establish a 
"living wage." The commission also recommended an addition to 
the Book of Common Prayer. (A130) "A Worker's Prayer" (A131) 
beseeches God to "help us to seek rewards for our work in the 
wages we receive, but also in stewardship of Your creation and 
justice toward all persons. Help us to recognize that we cannot 
do our work alone, but depend upon the work of many others, some 
of whom we do not even know . Help us to say Well done' to 
others, as we hope to hear the same. Finally, when we cannot see 
the direction to go, give us faith that you can always work for 
good through us."

------

Standing Commission on National Concerns: 

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/gc/ccab/scnc/default.html

Episcopal Parish Services; 

http://www.episcopalparishservices.org

Episcopal Public Policy Action Network: 

http://episcopal.grassroots.com/

Stand Up For Youth: 

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/episcopal-life/SUYlead.html

Episcopal Recovery Ministry: 
www.episcopalrecovery.org

Kairos Prison Ministry: 
http://www.kairosprisonministry.org

Episcopal Network for Economic 
Justice:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/peace-justice/enej/Living_Wage.htm

--Richelle Thompson is director of communications for the 
Diocese of Southern Ohio and a member of the ENS News team for 
the 74th General Convention in Minneapolis.