wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Bakers honored for 'Embracing the Child'

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Note #8399 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Bakers honored for 'Embracing the Child'
GA04106
July 1, 2004

Bakers honored for 'Embracing the Child'

Presbyterian Children's Homes association celebrates 5th birthday

by Emily Enders Odom

RICHMOND, July 1 - A stirring morning presentation on the Presbyterian Church
(USA) Decade of the Child, which challenged Presbyterians to "embrace the
children as we follow Christ's example," led fittingly to a celebration and
affirmation of some of those who do just that.

Keynote speakers Charles L. Baker and Sally Baker, tireless advocates on
behalf of children, were also honored during the annual Presbyterian
Children's Homes & Related Ministries (PCHARM) Embracing the Child Luncheon
Thursday afternoon.

The Bakers have distinguished themselves by faithful service to children,
most notably in Buckhorn, KY, where he was president and CEO for 21 years of
the Presbyterian Child Welfare Agency and she was vice president of the
Buckhorn Children's Foundation, a related organization that helps to support
Buckhorn financially.

"I recently heard on NPR this definition of mission: Determine where God is
already at work in the world and join her there," Sally Baker said. "This
surely fits Buckhorn."

"For many Presbyterians," she said, "Buckhorn is both a mythical and a
mystical place ... rooted from its beginning in Presbyterian
connectionalism."

Following their joint remarks, the Bakers were hailed with a standing ovation
as they received PCHARM's 2004 Children's Champion Award. Previous honorees
have included former assembly moderators Doug Oldenburg and Freda Gardner.

The Rev. Cheryl Ann Elfond, general presbyter of the Presbytery of North
Central Iowa, knew the Bakers when all three worked in Transylvania
Presbytery. "Their gifts of insight, of concern and care and
community-building as well as social awareness - in particular issues around
children - were a great gift to the presbytery," Elfond said. "I'm very happy
that they are receiving this award today, and made a point of coming to this
lunch because their ministry meant so much to me."

In his opening remarks, Lyle Hamilton, the church relations coordinator at
Intermountain Children's Homes and Services, in Helena, MT., had
characterized PCHARM, which was founded in 1999 to be a resource and advocate
in the church on the issues of children and families, as a "precocious 5-year
old."

"We want Presbyterians to know that the Presbyterian denomination - and all
of its adherents, members, and others - minister to children in some
wonderful, life-redeeming  and life-giving ways," Hamilton said.

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