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IN RETROSPECT
Every Child Is Our Child
By James F. Jennings
Conference Council on Ministries Director
I grew up in a neighborhood where everybody took
responsibility for everybody’s child. It gave all children a deep sense of belonging
and identity. Our community personified the old African adage, “It takes a village to
raise a child.”
For millions of children, there is no nuclear family, nor village. There are only the mean
streets, poverty, violence, poor education, bad health and lost innocence. Our children
today, of all colors, are the first generation at risk of growing up both physically and
spiritually disabled by forces unprecedented in our history: a disintegrating family unit,
a failed public-school system, random and wanton violence, and a killer scourge called
AIDS.
The Council of Bishops’ at its April 25-May 1, 1998 meeting covenanted to join our
Pan Methodist colleagues in promoting the observance and celebration of Children’s
Sabbath during October of this year. In that regard, our bishop is calling on all churches
to observe the Children’s Sabbath. It is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness,
educate and advocate on behalf of children, both locally and globally.
Our children can’t wait. Churches that cannot observe the Children’s Sabbath on
Oct. 18, may select an alternate date. Materials are readily available by writing Ruth M.
Kurtz, General Board of Global Ministries, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115 or by
phoning her at 212-870-3784. These materials may be received later than last year;
however, they may be used at any time.
Have you seen me?
Name: Marie Brown, DOB: 10-3-90; age: 8; height: 4’0”; eyes: blue; hair: blond;
weight: 50 lbs.; sex: female; date missing: 4/1/97; from: Miami, FL.
Whose child is this? Whether we are parents or not, we must all take responsibility for
ensuring that children grow up healthy, well-loved, well-educated and safe. We can never
save ourselves if we don’t save our children. Until we do, there can be no joy in the
world and no peace on earth.
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