3. Children are a heritage from the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is a gift. Psalm 127:4 (BCP) Nurture of THE CHILD

4. THE CHURCH IS CALLED: to receive, nurture and treasure each child as a gift from God;

5. THE CHURCH IS CALLED: to proclaim the Gospel to children, in ways that empower them to receive and respond to God's love;

6. THE CHURCH IS CALLED: to give high priority to the quality of planning for children and the preparation and support of those who minister with them;

7. to include children, in fulfillment of the Baptismal Covenant, as members and full participants in the Eucharistic community and in the church's common life of prayer, witness and service. THE CHURCH IS CALLED:

8. Then Jesus took the children in his arms, placed his hands on each of them and blessed them. Mark 10:16 Ministry to THE CHILD

9. THE CHURCH IS CALLED: to love, shelter, protect and defend children within its own community and in the world, especially those who are abused, neglected or in danger;

10. THE CHURCH IS CALLED: to nurture and support families in caring for their children, acting in their children's best interest, and recognizing and fostering their children's spirituality and unique gifts;

11. THE CHURCH IS CALLED: to embrace children who seek Christian nurture independently of their parents' participation in the church;

12. to advocate for the integrity of childhood and the dignity of all children at every level of our religious, civic and political structures. THE CHURCH IS CALLED:

13. A child shall lead them. Isaiah 11:6 Ministry of THE CHILD

14. THE CHURCH IS CALLED: to receive children's special gifts as signs of the Reign of God;

15. THE CHURCH IS CALLED: to foster community beyond the family unit, in which children, youth and adults know each other by name, minister to each other, and are partners together in serving Christ in the world;

16. THE CHURCH IS CALLED: to appreciate children's abilities and readiness to represent Christ and his church, to bear witness to him wherever they may be, and according to gifts given them, to carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in the world, and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the church. Ministry of the Laity p. 855 BCP

17. Alaska Bethlehem Central New York Chicago Dallas Hawaii The Children’s Charter for the Church was developed by the Episcopal Dioceses of Iowa Massachusetts Mexico Southwest Florida Western North Carolina Wyoming

18. At the 1997 General Convention, a resolution was passed asking each diocese to read and study the Children’s Charter and to “live it out locally.” The 2000 General Convention charges every committee, commission, and program of the Episcopal Church to consider the impact of their decisions on children and how they themselves are informed by children (D045).

19. 22 dioceses have passed the Charter as a diocesan vision for Children's Ministries, including: Alaska Bethlehem Chicago Connecticut Fond du Lac Massachusetts Pennsylvania Southwest Florida Southwestern Virginia Western North Carolina

20. May the Charter be with you!