| Our Sacred Responsibility As April brings Child Abuse Prevention Month to our awareness, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church embraces our sacred call to protect the most vulnerable among us. This calling stands at the very intersection of our faith and our commitment to social justice. Jesus’s words in Matthew 18:6 remind us of the seriousness of this responsibility: “If anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” These are not gentle words, but a fierce declaration of God’s protective love for children. At Resurrection MCC, we understand that child protection is not separate from our social justice ministry—it is central to it! When we advocate for the marginalized, when we speak truth to power, when we create spaces of radical inclusion, we are creating a community where children can truly thrive. Child abuse thrives in silence and secrecy, in systems that value authority over accountability, and in spaces where the vulnerable have no voice. Did you know that: One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Within one year of aging out of the foster care system, 66% of victims will be homeless, in jail or dead. There are over 100,000 children waiting for adoption in the United States. One is too many! Join Us for Blue Sunday: A Day of Prayer Mark your calendars for Sunday, April 27, 2025, as we join congregations across the nation for Blue Sunday, the National Day of Prayer for Abused Children. On Sunday, April 27th, we are asking that you pray for these children. 1. Pray that their parents and caregivers will be enlightened with new ways to discipline them and the abuse will stop 2. Pray they are joined with caring families when they must be separated from their parents 3. Pray their minds and bodies can heal 4. Pray they find hope 5. Pray for those who love, nurture and protect them We invite every member of our congregation to participate in this powerful day of prayer and action. Your presence matters. Your prayers matter. Your commitment to protecting children matters. This April, we invite you to wear blue ribbons as a visible sign of our commitment. But more importantly, we invite you to truly see the children in our community—to listen to them, to create space for their voices, and to stand ready to protect them. Child protection is not just about preventing harm—it’s about creating a world where every child can experience the boundless love God intends for them. It’s about justice. It’s about embodying Christ’s love in tangible ways. And it’s about building the beloved community, one child at a time. For more information on ways to become involved in helping to prevent child abuse, please visit www.armswide.org. Arms Wide is a child and family organization committed to transforming the lives of children who have been impacted by abuse and neglect. Peace & Blessings! |
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| DeJuana S. Jernigan, MSW, LCPAA Arms Wide, President and CEO Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church -Budget/Finance Committee -(Real Estate) Exploratory Committee -Worship Arts Dept. -Drummer, Reader |