Cherish All Children

Cherish All Children Introduction

CHERISH ALL CHILDREN IS A NATIONAL LUTHERAN MINISTRY OF PRAYER, EDUCATION, RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING, AND ACTION TO PREVENT CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION.

Congregational Components

Prayer

Confirmed members of the congregation pray daily for all children and young people, ages birth to 25.

 

Education

Leaders provide at least two educational sessions yearly for junior/senior high youth and parents on the topic of sexual exploitation prevention and Internet safety. Pastors preach two sermons each year which incorporate preventing child sexual exploitation.

 

Relationship-Building

Members develop relationships with other groups in the community that are also working to prevent child sexual exploitation.

 

Action

Out of the prayer, education, and relationships, a congregation discerns action appropriate for the children of their community.

As a result, congregation members will be:

• more aware of young people and their needs;

• more intentional about supporting young people;

• better prepared to detect and prevent sexual exploitation;

• better equipped to dismantle the system of sexual exploitation.

 

Cherish All Children provides publications and training to support synod and congregational leaders:

Wednesday Prayer
a weekly devotion/prayer based upon the Lectionary

The Connector
stories to inspire leaders

E-Quipped for Prevention
ideas for ministry

Congregational Manual
ideas and support to get started

Congregational Mentors
leaders who walk with you

Leadership Circles
leaders who gather to learn and grow

National Teams
national leadership for prayer and education

Preaching Circles
leaders who gather to speak prevention

 

A MESSAGE ON COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
(ADOPTED BY THE ELCA CHURCH COUNCIL IN 2001)

 “Love born of faith in Jesus Christ calls us all to attend to, discuss, resist, and reject the system of sexual exploitation.” (p. 1)

 

HUMAN SEXUALITY: GIFT AND TRUST
(ADOPTED BY THE ELCA CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY IN 2009)

 “We are called to be trustworthy in our human sexuality and to build social institutions and practices where trust and trustworthy relationships can thrive.” (p. 2)

 “The ELCA recognizes that congregations and other ministry sites must continue in their efforts to be safe places for children and youth.” (p. 14)

 “This church…will oppose all forms of sexual exploitation within and outside this church.” (p. 17)

 “The sexual body is never to be used as an object for commercial purposes, and this church will speak against the public idolatry of pleasure, freedom, and wealth that undergirds such practices.” (pp. 17-18)

 “This church will respond in situations where business and corporate enterprises seek profit through disrespectful treatment of the human body.” (p. 18)

 

CONFERENCE OF BISHOPS
OCTOBER 2005

“Because of commercial sexual exploitation, I have seen pastors lose their calls. I have seen confirmands be lured into prostitution. I know there are young men in our colleges and seminaries who have addictive and destructive behavior that can destroy their lives and healthy relationships. There is Internet and child pornography. Our task force in Minneapolis is dedicated to keeping children safe, to educating adults, and to begin the hard work of giving the voice of the gospel to this dark side of our world.” – Bishop Craig Johnson, Minneapolis Area Synod

 

Cherish All Children was started by a Bishop’s Task Force in the Minneapolis Area Synod and has spread to nine other synods. Each synod forms a Task Force to generate awareness of sexual exploitation, engage and support congregations in this ministry, and celebrate ministry accomplishments. Congregations are the heart of Cherish All Children, where leaders act on behalf of children within and beyond the congregation.

I give great thanks for ALL who support the ministry of Cherish All Children as well as those who write the Wednesday Prayers. I can’t think of a ministry any more essential than this one. -Liz Macris, BS, RN, Faith Community Nurse

 

For more information: Amy L. Hartman, Diaconal Minister
Address: Cherish All Children
PO Box 583772
Minneapolis, MN 55458-3772
Phone: 612.280.1259

You are invited to make a financial gift to Cherish All Children to expand this ministry to protect and cherish more children.