Wednesdays4Kids Oct. 5

As long as one child is hungry, our lives will be filled with anguish and shame. What all these victims need above all is to know that they are not alone; that we are not forgetting them, that when their voices are stifled we shall lend them ours, that while their freedom depends on ours, the quality of our freedom depends on theirs.

-- Elie Wiesel

THANK YOU iCAN Sponsors!

We did it!!! We met our goal of raising $10,000 to support interfaith advocacy work on behalf of Minnesota children. Because of your generosity, we exceeded our goal! Thank you to our Sponsoring donors, and to those who encouraged congregations to become Congregational Sponsors — we couldn't have done it without you!

It's Time to Act: Inspiring Ideas for Children's Sabbath
It began with celebration. At the UU Church of Minnetonka worship leader Andrea Heier explained how the congregation created portraits and written profiles of children to colorfully present on large display on the chancel of the sanctuary. Young people opened the service by unveiling the display and celebrating the gift of children in our worshipping communities and in our midst.

This was followed by songs and the “It’s Time” liturgical reading, a simple presentation that is outlined in the Children Sabbath's Multifaith Resources published by the Children’s Defense Fund. This liturgy evokes both lament and hope and inspired the adults of the congregation to immediately take action on issues affecting children. Click here to read more about this powerful Children's Sabbath idea.

To find Children's Sabbath materials and action resources, please visit our iCAN Children's Sabbath Materials Webpage. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in having an iCAN speaker in your congregation or if you have questions and ideas for your own Children's Sabbath.

Child Poverty Continues to Rise in Minnesota
The recent release of the American Community Survey data from the US Census Bureau indicates a rise in the rate of child poverty. In 2010 15.2% of MN children were living below the Federal Poverty line, up from 11.4% in 2008. For children below 5, the rate jumped to a distressing 17.2%. Click here to read more.

This year for Children's Sabbath, iCAN has designed a postcard action that congregations can use to encourage our elected leaders to focus on this growing problem. Click here to learn more and take action.