wfn.org | Lutherans Urged to "Step up to the Plate" for All Children

[NEWS <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 19, 1999

LUTHERANS URGED TO "STEP UP TO THE PLATE" FOR ALL CHILDREN
99-136-BM**

   CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Bouquets of flowers -- wilting, lifeless, dying
-- that have memorialized the tragedy at Columbine High School,
Littleton, Colo., have become symbols of those who have died and symbols
of those children who die every day from gunshot wounds in this country.
   The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) "Help the
Children" leadership team is calling on congregations to "step up to the
plate on behalf of all children."
   "The painful reality is statistics show that 13 children die every
day from gunshot wounds in this country," said Terry L. Bowes, Longmont,
Colo., coordinator of the "Help the Children" initiative. "The fact that
these deaths took place in one surprising location brings media
attention and a new national dialog to the subject of children and
violence that have not attended the 13 or more children who died the day
before or the day after the Columbine tragedy.
   "I can only pray that one way in which we find God in the midst of
this anguish is in our commitment as a church, in all of its
expressions, that the hopelessness and deaths of any of our children is
simply unacceptable. We must be willing to step up to the plate on their
behalf," said Bowes.
   In 1997 the ELCA Churchwide Assembly approved seven initiatives as
significant areas of ministry for the 21st century. Since then the ELCA
has begun planning for new ways to deepen worship life, teach the faith,
witness to God's action in the world through moral deliberation and
community renewal, strengthen one another in mission, connect with youth
and young adults, provide leadership development, and provide a safe
place for children.
   The goal of the "Help the Children" initiative is for each of the
ELCA's 11,000 congregations to declare itself a safe place for children.
To do this, congregations commit to creating a gospel-centered,
faith-based teaching and learning environment of hospitality that
welcomes all children and their families or care givers. They commit
also to creating a community free from violence, advocating for policies
of justice for children's issues, and using resources to provide a
sanctuary for children for extended care hours. Another action plan may
be for some congregations to open schools as "islands of hope."
   Congregations are being aided in their endeavors by a "Safe Haven
for
Children" resource that guides congregations as they explore ways to
make or renew their commitments to be safe havens for children.
   A second resource, "Safe Haven for Children: Hope for Congregations
and Communities," will contain information on advocacy, children in
poverty, model child protection policies for a parish, Bible studies and
devotionals, and a guide for initiating a congregation safe haven
campaign. This resource is expected to be available in July.
   The initiative leadership team also will model a safe haven for
children at the 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Denver August 16-22.
As a less formal endeavor, the leadership team is encouraging Lutherans
to wear blue and white ribbons -- the colors of the columbine -- over
their hearts as a symbol of their commitment to "help the children."

[** Barbara A. Myers is director for communication for the ELCA's Lower
Susquehanna Synod.]

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html