Westminster's Child Protection and Sexual Misconduct Covenant

Presbyterian Church USA's Decade of the Child

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 this child 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.

“As you go from this place Carry with you these words on the needs of children - they are an invitation to action. Then remember that because Jesus welcomed children - Jesus blessed children and Jesus cared about children - I charge you as followers of Christ to love, care for and serve the needs of children In whatever circumstance you find them. And may the Peace of Christ guide us as we go. Amen.”

Benediction offered at the Peacemaking Dinner, 214th General Assembly, Columbus, Ohio

Patricia Chapman, Associate Director, Justice and Compassion

Discover more about the PCUSA’s Decade of the Child and Light a Candle for Children,  and the Children's Defense Fund, PCUSA’s Office of Child Advocacy, and Presbyterian Women’s partnership at http://www.pcusa.org/children/

Decade of the Child Prayer for Children

Adults brought children to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. We too bring children today. We pray for children who are abused, neglected and undervalued.

May our hands be the hands that hold.

We pray for children who do not have adequate health care, for those who suffer because of AIDS, and for those harmed by war.

May our hands be the hands that heal.

We pray for children who are vulnerable: those victimized and exploited, those who are poor, hungry and homeless and for those without family.

May our hands be the hands that help.

We pray for the spiritual nurture of all children and we pray for children constantly confronted with too many choices and for those who are not allowed to experience childhood.

May our hands be the hands that offer hope.

May we be moved to open our minds, our eyes and our hearts so that we too will embrace the children as we follow Christ’s example call to the church.”  Amen.

...and where to pray for the children

To honor the children, feel free to come to church any time with your prayers. The chapel will be open on Sundays during the 9th hour and again during the week between the hours  of 9 and 4, so that those who choose can pray for the children of our congregation, our community, our state, the country and the world. Devotional materials will be made available in the chapel for your convenience.

Westminster's Child Protection

and Sexual Misconduct Covenant

The idea of ‘covenant’ is central to the reformed faith as God entered into a covenant with the people of God. God promised to be with them. The people promised to love God and follow what he asked. As the body of Christ, we covenant with one another to create a community where all the people experience the security, love, and acceptance of the Christian community. On August 28, 2006, the Session passed the Child Protection and Sexual Misconduct Covenant. It has done so not because it was necessary, but because it is what we should be doing to protect our children.

The Covenant is available on this website and in the church office for you to read. We are asking all people of the church who work with our children, or plan to, to read the covenant and sign it. Once signed, please give it into either Alex Thornburg or Marian Bauer and the document will be kept securely. It is hoped  that all (even though you are not planning to directly work with the children and youth) would sign the covenant as a reaffirmation of their intent to care for everyone in the community of faith. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Alex Thornburg, Marian Bauer, or the Chair of the Personnel Committee.

Light a Candle for Children is an advocacy and prayer vigil project that invites congregations to join in Forty Days of Prayer for Children. It begins forty days prior to the observance of the National Children’s Sabbaths, sponsored by the Children’s Defense Fund since 1973. 

     During these Sabbath celebrations, held annually on the third weekend of October, thousands of congregations unite in witness for children through prayer, education, and worship. This year for the first time, the Presbyterian Church USA’s Office of Child Advocacy and Presbyterian Women have partnered with Children's Defense Fund in this celebration of children with the theme “Congregations Stand for Healthy Children: Bringing Hope and Healing.”

National Children’s Sabbaths

October 20-22, 2006