Henderlight urges churches to March Forth for Children
by Anita Ayers Henderlight
In 1996 the bishops of the United Methodist Church launched a new project focusing on children and the poor. The Bishops' Initiative on Children and Poverty continues to date, the longest period for any Episcopal Initiative.
In a 2003 updated Initiative document, bishops call on all United Methodists to continue in ministry with children, their families and communities to build what they have defined as a Beloved Community. "The Beloved Community represents the possibility of a truly inclusive human family that embraces everyone but holds in especially high regard the lives and gifts of the most vulnerable: children and the poor."
In response to the Bishops' Initiative, Holston Conference has implemented Change for Children, prayed for and communicated with legislators through advocacy efforts, started hosting children's issues forums, and provided continuing education resources related to these topics for congregations.
On March 5-6, a special event called "March Forth for Children" will be held at Cokesbury Center in Knoxville, Tenn. Sponsored by the Children's Ministry Team, the conference is a significant step in providing training for Holston people who love and care for children. Nineteen workshops will be offered over a two-day period. Bishop Ray Chamberlain Jr. will be present to help launch the event, and a Bible study will focus on Isaiah 1:17 "...learn to do good, seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan..."
General Board of Discipleship staff members Mary Alice Gran, Carol Krau, MaryJane Pierce Norton, and Deb Smith will join "Safe Sanctuaries" author Joy Melton and Holston Home leaders Art Masker, Marian Hensley, and Keith Bailey, among others, to lead the workshops.
Sessions include: "10 Things Every Teacher Needs to Know"; "Advocacy is a Verb"; "After the Last Bell Rings"; "Building Curriculum for Children"; "Safe Sanctuaries"; "The Spiritual Development of Children"; "Giggles & Wiggles Recreation with Kids"; and more. For details, visit www.holstonkids.com and click on "Advocacy," call (865) 690-4080, or send e-mail. Registration deadline is Feb. 15.
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