Full Legislative History
Resolution Number: 1994-B017
Title: Request Dioceses and Parishes to Initiate Ministries for Children at Risk
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 71st General Convention requests each member diocese through its Diocesan Council or equivalent body to establish a Children's Ministry Fund, the proceeds of which shall be used as grants-in-aid for ministries carried out through the diocese, its parishes and institutions, to respond to the urgent needs of children through church-related ministries, especially in Christian education and formation and those which address issues of poverty, racism, and abuse in the wider society; and be it further

Resolved, That to initiate this effort, dioceses are urged to consider designating 50% or more of the money saved in 1994-95 through the Church Pension Fund waiver on pension assessments on bishops and other diocesan-paid clergy staff as an initial fund for this purpose, and establish criteria and develop a mechanism through which parishes may make decisions to accomplish the same end, in their own communities and urban or rural areas of special need; and be it further

Resolved, That at all levels of church life those responsible for the church's program devote a percentage of their personal time and resources to working directly with children and young people; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses and parishes, in conjunction with other religious and community organizations, be urged to conduct public hearings in or in relationship to public schools, encouraging children and young people to speak out on the issues and problems facing them, calling on the Church Center staff for children and youth ministries to assist in the development and dissemination of a model for accomplishing such hearings; and be it further

Resolved, That in their efforts to become significant advocates for the needs of children and youth, parishes and dioceses be urged to seek out and align themselves with community and national organizations already serving the needs of children, such as the Children's Defense Fund and Bread for the World, and to support existing government and voluntary programs such as the WIC program and Head Start by making available space and volunteers as appropriate and feasible; and be it further

Resolved, That the Feast of the Holy Innocents or other appropriate date be observed as a time of prayer for children at risk and remembrance of those who have been victims of violence and that the Standing Liturgical Commission be asked to create resources to assist congregations and dioceses in such an observance.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 1994 (New York: General Convention, 1995), pp. 321-22.