Light a Candle for Children:  an ecumenical program of prayer and advocacy

The Office of Family and Children‘s Ministries staff has announced that Light a Candle for Children will be part of a 2006 National Council of Christian Churches initiative for children.

Light a Candle for Children is an advocacy and prayer vigil project that invites Disciples congregations to join in 40 days of prayer for children. Now all protestant churches, affiliated with the National Council of Christian Churches, will have the opportunity to participate in this program of prayer and advocacy.

The National Council Committee on Justice for Children and Their Families has planned activities and developed resources to highlight the needs of America's children and give congregations concrete ways to advocate for children. Congregations are being called to be a faithful voice for children by participating in a season of prayer and action.

The first event in this season of prayer and action will take place July 8 in Washington, D.C. It will provide an opportunity to join with other Christians in the nation‘s capital to raise a strong and prayerful voice for children. Those who attend will return home inspired to speak out for children and with a better understanding of the complex issues involving the needs of children and current national policies.

The second event will take place on the first Sunday of Light a Candle for Children, September 10. On this day, Christians are called to give witness to and to pray for the needs of children in our states and local communities.

The third event is to participate in Children's Sabbaths. During the weekend of October 22, congregations are asked to join with other people of faith to stand for children. Christians are invited to make a personal commitment to ongoing prayer and action on behalf of children, all children, those within our churches and those beyond our door steps.

For resources, details and ideas: www.ncccusa.org/faithfulvoiceforchildren.    

Technology connects Disciples with their Church and each other

Disciples now have two new ways to connect with DHM and with each other: a Constant Contact e-mail service and a new discussion board service.

By signing up to receive updates from DHM through Constant Contact, Disciples can receive the latest updates to share within their congregations and send to friends and colleagues. DHM president, Arnold Nelson Jr., said he hopes the updates will provide Disciples with needed information and ideas for more effective ministry.

"Our promise to you includes not being too "constant" -- that is, we won‘t bombard your e-mail box with daily messages. However, from these updates, you will have access to more information at any time," said Nelson. Rapid Response messages are now being distributed through this system as well.

To sign up, visit the DHM Web site.

Meanwhile, during the past several years, DHM has relied on free corporately-owned listserves or discussion boards to connect constituency groups together. These discussion groups, such as Yahoo Groups, provide the service at no charge but subject users to advertising, some of which can be inappropriate for church-related groups.

Consequently Disciples Center staff has been looking for a low-cost alternative for some time. With the arrival of Chris Higgins in Communication Ministries, staff can now administer their own Web server. As a result, Disciples now run their own discussion boards without intrusive advertising.

To see if your DHM-affiliated constituency group has signed on, visit https://secure.disciples.org/discuss/DHM/default.asp. We plan to add groups upon request. Disciples Chaplains are the first constituency group to participate, led by Steve Doan and Susan Galasso. Other groups include the General Youth Council, Intentional Interim/Transitional Ministers and Disciples Return to the Garden.

Should unbaptised children participate in communion?

One hotly debated issue among Disciples is whether or not unbaptised children should be allowed to participate in communion. The Rev. John T. Hinant, a retired Disciples educator, has published a helpful book on this issue, Children at the Lord‘s Table.

Children at the Lord's Table offers a look at historical as well as current practices in Disciples churches. The book investigates early Church documents that have not before been considered in the debate over children and communion. It also reports the results of the "2000/2001 Survey of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Concerning the Role of the Child in the Observance of the Lord‘s Supper." This survey was mailed to every Disciples Church clergy with an amazing 64 percent rate of return.

Children at the Lord's Table is a book that should be studied by every congregation in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination. The book‘s ISBN number is 0-9777889-0-3. The cost is $12.95 plus shipping and handling. It is available through the Office of Family and Children's Ministries of DHM. Call (888) 346-2631 or write to cmetts@dhm.disciples.org.

Elders resources available

Elders are Church Leaders, and Church Leaders are Elders. Visit www.discipleselders.org, the Web site with resources for elders in the Christian Church (DOC). Resources: skills training, Bible passages, spiritual growth, training/retreat models, written resources This service is provided by Disciples Home Missions and supported by Disciples Mission Fund.