CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will invite their children and their neighbor's children to worship May 1-2 for "Take the Children to Worship Weekend."
"The secular world had a day last week that allowed us to take our children to work. We suggest that while taking children along to work is a good thing, we need to have a re-awakening on the importance of bringing children to worship," wrote the Rev. Kenneth D. Gibson, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chassell, Mich., in an open-letter to the 5.2 million members of the ELCA. Gibson wrote the letter on behalf of the Copper Country Clergy Council in Michigan.
The idea for "Take the Children to Worship Weekend" was in response to the shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., April 20. Gibson said there are parents and children in Littleton "saying, once again, 'this is not supposed to happen.'"
"Perhaps part of what is happening is children feeling as though they do not fit in, as though they are not part of anything valuable," Gibson wrote.
The faith community has much to offer, he said. "Recently, a national survey discovered that the three things our society is longing to hear most are, 'I love you,' 'You are forgiven,' and 'Supper is ready.' These are words that the church says every week, and it is time to reclaim our place in the world," Gibson wrote. "Do what you can to make your children feel something of value beyond themselves."
John J. Scibilia, ELCA director for schools, said that church and school leaders should also "come together, talk together and pray together." In response to the shooting at Columbine High School, Scibilia issued a statement to ELCA schools and church leaders.
"Abuse and violence are an everyday occurrence for children throughout this country and world," he said. Teachers and church leaders must "stand up and be heard for the sake of these children who need our advocacy and our prayers. As brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, I pray you will answer the call Jesus issued when he embraced the children."
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
