Family & Children

Light a Candle Prayer Vigil and National Observance of Children's Sabbaths

Light a Candle for Children, an advocacy and prayer vigil project, invites congregations to join in 40 days of prayer for children. It begins 40 days prior to the annual observance of the National Children's Sabbaths which takes place during the third weekend of October. Children's Sabbaths are sponsored by the Children’s Defense Fund.

Kids to Kids program

CKids to Kids is all about children helping other children.  Read all about it and get involved.  Visit the Kids to Kids Web page. Download the "Kids to Kids: Making the World a Better Place" and share the mission opportunities with your friends.

Does your congregation have a mission or outreach project that serves children in the wider community? Would you like for this project to have broader exposure and support?  If so, have we got a deal for you!  Check it out! Deadline for applications is November 1, 2008.  If you have questions or need additional information contact Kaye Edwards, kedwards@dhm.disciples.org.

Christian Parenting Programs

Children Welcome!/ ACCE conference

See a slide show from the 2008 Children Welcome!/ACCE conference.

ARK (Adults Relating to Kids) is a parenting program that is effective and easy to administer. It was developed by The Reverend Glenn Wilkerson, minister of Cypress Creek Christian Church in Springs, Texas. It is a way for parents, grandparents, Sunday school teachers, youth workers, and all caring adults who want to enhance their skills at loving and nurturing children. It can be used during Sunday morning church school classes or as an evening adult education program. Visit the DHM ARK web page for additional information and training opportunities.

A secular version of ARK is available in English and in Spanish. In addition there is an ARK Program for Teens and for Children. To learn more about all of the ARK programs, visit the Web site of The ARKGroup, Inc.

Active Parenting Publishers has resources for parents of toddlers to teens. Powerful tools for helping families are available in printed and video formats. Many resources are offered in Spanish. For more information go to www.activeparenting.com.

Disciples support Comprehensive Health Care for Children

Before the end of 2007 the United States Congress must act to renew SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program). This Comprehensive Health Care for All Children Web page is available with information and advocacy resources related to the health of children living in the United States.

Child Abuse Prevention Information

April is child abuse prevention month in the United States. Issues of abuse and neglect can not be ignored. Congregations need to do everything possible to assure the safety of all vulnerable people entrusted to their care. We, as a people of faith, can reduce the risk of abuse and neglect by supporting parents and care givers, and by educating ourselves and our communities. 

We can reduce the risk of abuse and neglect by developing and implementing abuse prevention policies in our churches.  Laws and official definitions may vary depending on the state or province in which churches are located.  Policies should be designed to fit the unique needs and circumstances of individual church communities.

Additional information and resources are available.

Children Worship & Wonder

Children Worship & Wonder offers an exciting way to approachfaith formation with children. Check our schedule for a training near you.

Disciples Care for Children

Because we have been called by Christ to love and care for every child, Disciples Care for Children seeks to be a voice for children by empowering andsupporting congregations in building up ministries that nurture and care for all children.

Comfort Quilts for children

Comfort quilts can be given to various organizations to bring comfort and love to children. The quilts could be distributed to a local abuse shelter, a hospital pediatric unit, the EMT unit in your community, or a mission project in any area. A comfort quilt can be made with any square—any fabric—any design—any pattern. Preprinted quilts from a store may be used.  A solid piece of fabric may be used and tied with colorful yarn ties. You'll find additional information on this quilt making project.

Marriage Preparation and Marriage Enrichment

Happily Ever After—International Marriage Enrichment Conference
July 12 to 15, 2007; Orlando, Fla.
Visit www.bettermarriages.org/HappilyEverAfter for more information.

According to the Census Bureau's release about its report on MARITAL STATUS AND LIVING ARRANGEMENTS, "The number of children living with both parents declined from 85 to 68 percent between 1970 and 1996. The proportion of children living with one parent has grown from 12 percent to 28 percent during this same time span.

Great Start, Association of Couples for Marriage Enrichment (A.C.M.E.), Positive Solutions and World Wide Marriage Encounter are four programs dedicated to strong marriage relationships. For ideas on improved communication, check out Couple Communication. If your congregation is interested in ways to help strengthen marriage relationships, these programs are recommended.

A Blessing Service for Children

This blessing service has been adapted from the blessing service written by Kaye Edwards, director of Family and Children's Ministries, Disciples Home Missions, for the 1999 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio.