Petition Text: 21064-GM-NonDis-O

More than 14.6 million American children live in poverty. Today, 100,000 children are homeless each night, 9.3 million are not covered by insurance at any time, only 55.3% of the U.S. two-year-olds were immunized against preventable diseases in 1992, and 5,356 children and teenagers died in 1991 as a result of firearm injuries including homicide, suicides, and accidents. Between 1979 and 1991, nearly 50,000 American children were killed by guns. Four million low-income children under age 12 are hungry in this country. According to UNICEF, about one million children die of measles every year, about thirty million children will die of pneumonia during the 1990's decade, and approximately three million children die of diarrhea every year.

The National Observance of Children's Sabbath was born out of the concern for children's conditions in the U.S. and the world. A growing religious and social movement for children's well-being, across a range of denominations, coalesced their concern for poor and neglected children in a united moral witness.

This effort has been supported and led by the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that provides a strong and effective voice for the children of our nation, who cannot vote, lobby, or speak out for themselves.

Since 1981 CDF has worked in partnership with the religious community to mobilize congregations across the U.S. to increase their awareness on the conditions of children. In 1993 CDF distributed more than 30,000 children's Sabbath kits in response to requests from clergy, lay persons, and religious organizations.

Our Biblical tradition beseeches us to make children one of our major concerns for ministry (Matthew 18:1-7, 10). We are called to protect our children and to guide them in the way of righteousness (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 3:14-15).

The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church state that "children have the rights to food, shelter, clothing, health care, and emotional well-being, as do adults, and these rights we affirm as theirs regardless of actions or inactions of their parents or guardians" (¶ 72.C).

The United Methodist Resolution on "Protecting and Supporting Children" states that the future of the human race is in our children, but in decision-making they are voiceless and powerless. Children cannot speak for themselves. They depend on us to speak for them and to be their advocates. They suffer most when resources are misappropriated. They need us to bring their very special needs to the notice of societies and those in power. That resolution calls all levels of the Church to engage in denominational and ecumenical efforts to end child poverty.

The United Methodist Church is one of over 150 denominations and religious organizations that cooperate in the national observance of Children's Sabbath.

The religious affairs division of the Children's Defense Fund has collaborated extensively with the General Board of Church and Society, The United Methodist Women's Campaign for children, and the Conference Schools of Christian Mission.

The United Methodist Church is one of the Children's Sabbaths' greatest supporters, with nearly 700 churches receiving materials to assist them in planning for the observation.

We strongly urge all United Methodist churches to celebrate the National Observance of the Children's Sabbath annually, for as long as our children are at risk.

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Petition Text: 21064-GM-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference