Title: ELCA Hosts 'Take the Children to Worship Weekend'
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 28, 1999

ELCA HOSTS 'TAKE THE CHILDREN TO WORSHIP WEEKEND'
99-114-MR

     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 [log in to unmask]
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html