by Ellen K. Knudsen

Child at a United Methodist Community Center embodies the Children's Sabbath commitment to Leave No Child Behind. Image by: Community and Institutional Ministries Image by: Barbara Wheeler Source: Community and Institutional Ministries

Do you remember folding paper boats when you were a child?  Recently I led my colleagues in a journey back to childhood as together we folded paper boats.  It was a challenge for some in the group, but we all ended up with something that looked like a boat…even though some would never float like a boat.

This activity brought us to focus on the Children's Defense Fund National Observance of Children's Sabbaths.  This is the 16th year we have been called to organize for children's rights.  In our busy lives, we see children who need our attention, we know children who need our attention, we hear on the news that children need our attention, but there is little time in our busy schedules to give that attention. 

Children's Sabbaths stop us in our tracks and demand our attention.  In our churches, Children's Sabbaths provides the opportunity to be reminded of the needs of millions of children in our country.  We are called not only to prayer, but to action.  Marian Wright Edelman states that "Your congregation's participation in the interfaith National Observance of Children's Sabbaths is an important part of creating a persistent, faithful voice for justice." 

A persistent, faithful voice for justice for children who have no voice.  Can our persistence begin this year?  October 19-21 is the weekend which unites religious congregations of all faiths in a shared concern for children.  Observances may also be held on other dates.  It is important that we all strengthen our efforts on behalf of children throughout the year.

The Children's Defense Fund website carries this story of a past celebration:

Fulford UMC in Miami Beach, Florida recently included in their bulletin a history of the Children's Defense Fund, and highlighted the quote from Marian Wright Edelman.  "If every one of us looked at each child as a child of God, we wouldn't stand for the injustice that kids suffer."  A moment of silence was observed at the start of the worship service.  The church bell chimed once at 10 seconds, then at 35 seconds, at 40 seconds, 51 seconds.  Then someone stood and said, "Every 10 seconds a high school student drops out.  Every 35 seconds a child is abused or neglected.  Every 40 seconds a baby is born into poverty. Every 51 seconds a baby is born without health insurance." The service concluded with a blessing of the children at the altar.  Resources and representation from various community organizations that meet children's needs were available after worship.

As I look around our offices, I see folded boats on many desks with the message "My Boat Is So Small".  This is our constant reminder that we are called to find that safe harbor of hope for all children.

Please visit the Children's Defense Fund website at http://www.childrensdefense.org for more information on how we can create a safe harbor of hope and health care for all our nation's children.

Ellen K. Knudsen is Executive Secretary, Community and Institutional Ministries for Global Ministries.

	See Also... Topic: Advocacy |  Children |  Christian love |  Communities |  United Methodist Church |  Partners/partnerships |  Geographic Region: World |  Source: Community and Institutional Ministries
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Date posted: Oct 12, 2007