Each October Episcopal Churches across the country observe Children's Sabbath by holding special worship services and advocacy activities to engage people of faith in improving the lives of children and their families. Sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund, the national observance is a way for faith communities to celebrate children as sacred gifts of the Divine and advocate for all children. October 20 was the day we celebrated Children's Sabbath.
This year’s theme was Uniting Hearts and Voices to End Child Poverty. Our children and youth participated in the Warm Fuzzy Project so that our children and youth could connect on a personal level with other kids in need. We asked kids and youth of all ages to bring new pajamas in their size. Twenty-seven pairs of PJs will go to the Operation Give Back Holiday Store, benefiting many families in the Sycamore School District. Kids brought PJs to the altar during the service for a blessing. All children and youth were invited to gather around the altar during the Eucharistic Prayer in celebration of the day. It was a beautiful service and taught us all to be cognizant of the fact that children around the world live in poverty and even here in our own backyard.