A Chronology of the Development of Christian Education in the Episcopal Church Including Ministry wi

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Nurture of THE CHILD
Children are a heritage from the Lord, and the
fruit of the womb is a gift. Psalm 1274
(BCP)
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THE CHURCH IS CALLED

• to receive, nurture and treasure each child as
  a gift from God

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THE CHURCH IS CALLED

• to proclaim the Gospel to children, in ways that
  empower them to receive and respond to God's
  love

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THE CHURCH IS CALLED

• to give high priority to the quality of
  planning for children and the preparation and
  support of thosewho minister with them

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THE CHURCH IS CALLED

• 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.

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Ministry to THE CHILD
Then Jesus took the children in his arms, placed
his hands on each of them and blessed them.
Mark 1016
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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

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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

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THE CHURCH IS CALLED

• to embrace children who seek Christian nurture
  independently of their parents' participation in
  the church

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THE CHURCH IS CALLED

• to advocate for the integrity of childhood and
  the dignity of all children at every level of our
  religious, civic and political structures.

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Ministry ofTHE CHILD
A child shall lead them.Isaiah 116
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THE CHURCH IS CALLED

• to receive children's special gifts as signs of
  the Reign of God

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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

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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

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The Childrens Charter for the Church
wasdeveloped by the Episcopal Dioceses of
Alaska BethlehemCentral New York Chicago
Dallas Hawaii
Iowa Massachusetts MexicoSouthwest Florida
Western North Carolina Wyoming
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At the 1997 General Convention, a resolution was
passed asking each diocese to read and study the
Childrens 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).
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22 dioceses have passed the Charter as a diocesan
vision for Children's Ministries, including
Alaska BethlehemChicagoConnecticutFond du Lac
MassachusettsPennsylvaniaSouthwest
FloridaSouthwestern Virginia Western North
Carolina
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May the Charter be with you!