CHICAGO (ELCA) -- About 350 Spanish-speaking congregations and social ministry organizations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will receive the Spanish text version of "Safe Haven for Children: Hope for Congregations and Communities" this year.
"Safe Haven for Children: Hope for Congregations and Communities" is a resource designed to help congregations become safe places for children. It contains information about children living in poverty, advocacy, child care protection policies for a parish, Bible study and devotional materials, and a guide for initiating a safe-haven campaign.
Production of the resource was a final goal for team members of the ELCA's Help the Children Initiative, one of seven "Initiatives for a New Century" identified by the 1997 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The church's work on the initiatives will come to a close at the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Aug. 8-14 in Indianapolis.
Citing the need to focus on children, the Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, said, "The social upheavals of our time and the growing gap between the rich and poor have been especially damaging to the lives of children and families. We must ensure that the youngest and most vulnerable members of our world have a future."
"Safe Haven for Children: Hope for Congregations and Communities" is available through Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, the publishing house of the ELCA.
[**Barbara A. Myers is director for communication for the ELCA Lower Susquehanna Synod, Harrisburg, Pa.]
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
