Wednesdays4Kids April 7

As individuals and congregations we all have a role to play in the nurturing of our future leaders, teachers, doctors, clergy, neighbors and friends. When we nurture children we are helping to create thriving, peaceful communities for all of us.

April Campaign Bulletin Insert

Congregations Preventing Child Abuse
Each April iCAN works with Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota to provide informational materials to congregations around the state for our April Campaign to End Child Abuse. As congregations we are in unique and powerful positions to make lasting positive effects on the lives of the children in our communities.

During the month we encourage our members and advocates to use the materials we provide in their religious communities to bring greater awareness to the issues of child abuse and neglect in Minnesota and be allies in our work to end abuse.

Here are a few tips for how to make your congregation a more welcoming and encouraging place for children (click here for the full brochure):

Just like in a tennis game, children “serve the ball” to adults when they reach out for interaction through a look or a smile or a coo or a cry. We each have the chance then to choose whether or how to “return the ball.” Will we let it go by? If we respond in a caring, loving way, and continue in a back and forth exchange with the child, we are helping to build strong, healthy brain pathways. -- PCAMN

If you would like to provide information to your congregation you can find printable materials on our Online Toolkit, you can also order hard copies from iCAN by emailing Rachel at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also order blue ribbon stickers and parenting survival tip cards; email Rachel how many of each you need for your congregation.

Healing Field and Candle Light Vigil at the Capitol
PCAMN will be holding a Child Abuse Prevention Healing Field from April 29th to May 2nd at the Capitol. The theme of the field is “The Future of America depends on Healthy Children”. There will be a display of 1,000 American Flags and a field of blue Pinwheels for Prevention. The event will include a Candlelight Vigil on Friday evening, April 30th. Click here for more information about the event. See you there!