safety

on sunday morning i asked a painful question: what does it say about us that the most vulnerable people, especially children, are not safe in our society?

Jesus was a refugee before he was a few months old. Joseph has to flee with his loved ones to Egypt for fear of their lives. This refugee status is common in our world today. Port Elizabeth receives many people every month who have fled their home towns and countries for fear of their lives...

Jesus was protected and cared for by Joseph - no biological relation. the challenge of Joseph is to see how he accepts the responsibility for a child that was not his own! as the christian community we accept responsibility not only for the children that are born into our families. we say that all children are our children!

we acknowledge that every time we baptise children, making a promise to care for all the children amongst us that they may grow up well, and in the knowledge of the love of Jesus...

what could we do differently to make the safety of children and vulnerable people a primary concern?

i suggested three things on sunday morning:
1. we must model a community of safety. our "sanctuary" needs to be a sanctuary of safety for the vulnerable ones.
2. we must encourage good parenting values amongst all those who are responsible for the livelihood of children, including parents and extended families.
3. we could make the well-being of young students living in Central a high priority, accepting it as our special responsibility toward the growth and development of the next generation...