Decade of the Child (2001-2011)

The Presbyterian sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Table are God’s gifts to us and call us to respond on behalf of the most vulnerable.

When a child is baptized, the faith community welcomes that child into Christ’s body, the Church.

We promise to care for and nurture her into the covenant life of discipleship.

At the Lord’s Table, we are fed together and are called to respond to God’s Word. The Decade of the Child is a time to examine the full meaning of that promise, as individuals and as a community.

Caring for all children, both those within and those beyond our church walls, is a just way to respond to God’s grace and live out our promises.

Focus: health and well-being

Children depend upon adults for safety and security in a world that does not always value children ("A Vision for Children and the Church," 205th General Assembly, 1993). In 2006-07, the Decade of the Child calls the church to focus on the health and well-being of God’s gift — children.

Health and well-being happen when we nurture families as they seek to raise healthy children.

Health and well-being happen when we work to wage peace and actively stand against violence of all kinds.

Health and well-being happen when we fight poverty.

"And how are the children?"

This traditional greeting of the Masai in Kenya acknowledges the high value the tribe places on the well-being of children. Even tribe members who do not have children of their own will always give the traditional response: "All the children are well."

In 2007, just past the midpoint of the Decade of the Child, how are the children?

• Do all the children have adequate health coverage?
• Are all the children succeeding in school?
• Are all the children safeguarded from sexual exploitation, dangerous work and warfare?
• Are all the children shielded from media violence and protected from aggressive marketing?
• Do all children have access to clean water, healthy food, time to play and other things that make for normal growth and development?

How are the children? Are all the children well?