Sallie Watson, General Presbyter; Laurie Palmer, Stated Clerk | Mission Presbytery
Dear ones,
We want to share our thoughts and convictions with you, speaking the truth in love as brothers and sisters in Christ, on two difficult issues which have surfaced in the last few days – both of which deeply impact God’s beloved children. We invite your prayerful attention to what we say, and we welcome your prayerful responses.
At the time of our baptism, or when children are baptized in our congregations, questions are asked and promises are made. In general, that goes for the larger Christian global church. In specific, it goes for the children, youth, and adults in Mission Presbytery.
To that end:
(1) We are concerned about the actions our state leaders are advocating regarding health care and support for transgender young people. We are grieved that parents should be charged with abuse while caring for their children in the best ways they can. Children who are grappling with issues of their own sexuality have burden enough to bear without their loving and supportive parents being charged with child abuse. We find this unusually cruel.
The question posed to all of us members of congregations during a baptism is this: Do you, as members of the church of Jesus Christ, promise to guide and nurture (this child) by word and deed, with love and prayer, encouraging them to know and follow Christ and to be faithful members of his church?
We are called to nurture all children by our actions and words, just as Christ does. We are not called to love only children who look like, sound like, or who are like us. We are called to the ministry of loving all children, everywhere and at all times, but especially in our homes and in our congregations.
Lest you think that this is not an issue for congregations in Mission Presbytery, we want you to know that it is.
(2) Further, we are saddened about the impact that Russian aggression is having upon the children, youth, and families of Ukraine, Russia, and potentially for all of Europe. Living in a time of globalization as we do, even one action halfway around the world can hold profound implications for each of us. It is a fragile time for us all.
“Cure your children’s warring madness; bend our pride to your control;
shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage lest we miss your kingdom’s goal,
lest we miss your kingdom’s goal.”
“God of Grace and God of Glory,” Harry Emerson Fosdick (1930)
We condone no action, locally or globally,
which endangers the beloved children of God.
Holy God,
In You we live and move and have our being. In You, the children in this world live and move and have their being. We grieve that there are those who seek to harm them. We were once children in need of protection, love, and nurture. Now that we are grown, You expect the same from us for our youngest: to protect, love, and nurture them. To teach them about Your love by how we treat them. We pray for the hurting people in Your world. And we pray for hurt people who in turn hurt others. Heal us all of hatred and fear, and set us on Your path to peace. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sincerely,
Sallie Watson, General Presbyter; Laurie Palmer, Stated Clerk