Kidstuff | The Children's Charter for The Episcopal Church

FOR THE CHURCH

Nurture of
THE CHILD

Children are a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is a gift. -- Psalm 127:4 (BCP)

THE CHURCH IS CALLED

to receive, nurture and treasure each child as a gift from God;
to proclaim the Gospel to children, in ways that empower them to receive and respond to
God's love;
to give high priority to the quality of planning for children and the preparation and support
of those who minister with them;
to include children, in fulfillment of the Baptismal Covenant, as members and full participants
in the Eucharistic community and in the church's common life of prayer, witness and service.

Ministry to
THE CHILD

Then Jesus took the children in his arms, placed his hands on each of them and blessed them.-- Mark 10:16

THE CHURCH IS CALLED

to love, shelter, protect and defend children within its own community and in the world,
especially those who are abused, neglected or in danger;
to nurture and support families in caring for their children, acting in their children's best
interest, and recognizing and fostering their children's spirituality and unique gifts;
to embrace children who seek Christian nurture independently of their parent's
participation in the church;
to advocate for the integrity of childhood and the dignity of all the children at every level
of our religious, civic and political structures.

Ministry of
THE CHILD

A child shall lead them. -- Isiah 11:6

THE CHURCH IS CALLED

to receive children's special gifts as signs of the Reign of God;
to foster community beyond the family unit, in which children, youth and adults know each
other by name, minister to each other, and are partners together in serving Christ in the world;
to appreciate children's abilities and readiness to represent Christ and his church, to bear
witness to him wherever they may be, and according to gifts given them, to carry on
Christ's work of reconciliation in the world, and to take their place in the life, worship, and
governance of the church. (Ministry of the Laity pg. 855 BCP)

Developed by the Episcopal Dioceses of • Alaska • Bethlehem • Central New York • Chicago • Dallas • Hawaii • Iowa • Massachusetts • Mexico • Southwest Florida • Western North Carolina • Wyoming • and The Office of Children's Ministries for the Episcopal Church

What Kidstuff is about:	Happenings:	Resources:
Children's Charter	Kidstuff Calendar	Eight Great Ideas
Who We Are	Daycamp Schedule	Internet Resources
	Summer Camp	Games for the computer
	How to Help	Local Resource lists
Anglican Diocese of Montreal	Recent activities	The Newsletter (to download)

This web page is maintained by Guy Grolimond guygrolimond@netscape.net