Children In Need

But Jesus was irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom.” – Mark 10:14 (The Message)
“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” (NRSV)

Is there any child Jesus was not talking about? Where are there children in need right now? What can Jesus do for them? What can you do as a member of the body of Christ? What will you do?

I have no story to share this week. Instead these are statistics about what is happening to children right now.
In Dougherty County in 2010 138 children suffered from neglect, 90 suffered physical abuse, 17 were abused sexually, and that is only what was reported! It is estimated that more than 80% of cases go unreported.
In an average year in Georgia 60 children will die from neglect, that is more than 1 a week.
Every day in Georgia over 40 children are victims of confirmed abuse or neglect.
34,540 children were substantiated victims of child abuse or neglect in Georgia in 2007.
Over 8,500 abused and neglected children are in state custody at any one time because their homes aren't safe.
The most recent research suggests that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
Dougherty CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for children) is working to ensure that children who suffer this evil have a voice. The Lily Pad Center is working to ensure that people who care surround these children of the living God.

Right now many dozens of children are under the care of Dougherty CASA. They need school supplies. Children in one family need two size 6 uniforms and one size 8 uniforms for girls. This Sunday at our 11am service and our 5:30pm 5th Sundays Together First Presbyterian Church will be collecting school supplies that go to the children Dougherty CASA is caring for. We do not need bags, but everything else. Please help, it is the work of Jesus, it is the work of the kingdom. In fact these children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. If you do not live close to help, find out who supports children in your hometown. The need is everywhere.

With belief that hope and joy is on the horizon,
Garrett