Press Releases

The Children’s Defense Fund urges people of faith to join thousands of congregations and religious organizations in seeking justice for children living in poverty by joining in the 14th annual National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths.

To offer guidance in organizing these events, the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) is selling the National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths Manual: Putting our Faith into Action to Seek Justice for Children. This resource provides materials to be used in worship services, educational programs for adults, youth and children, study groups, newsletters, and bulletins.

“Nearly 13 million children live in poverty in America. Our religious traditions call us to put our faith into action by seeking justice for children—not just charity. People of all faiths must stand up and speak up against tax and budget policies that impoverish and increase the suffering of children,” said CDF Founder and CEO Marian Wright Edelman.

The National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths is an intergenerational and interfaith event that unites people of all religions in speaking out and acting faithfully on behalf of children and families. The goal of the Children’s Sabbath is to generate new, long-term efforts to meet children’s needs by raising awareness, serving children directly, and advocating on our children’s behalf.

The scheduled dates for this year’s Children’s Sabbath are October 14-16, 2005. However, any other weekend this fall could also be designated.

The National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths is endorsed by more than 200 denominations, faith groups and religious organizations, and is guided by an Advisory Committee of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Baha'’i', and interfaith leaders. No two Children’s Sabbaths are alike. Each reflects the unique gifts and resources of a congregation and the particular needs of children in that community.

“We are living at an incredible moral moment. What people of faith stand for now—and encourage our political leaders to stand for—will shape the future of our nation and our children for decades to come,” Edelman said. “If ever there was a time for people of faith to stand up and speak up together for justice for children and the poor, it is now.”

The single-volume manual assists spiritual leaders as they plan and promote Children’s Sabbaths. It includes worship and educational materials for adults and children of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Baha'’i', Unitarian Universalist and other faith traditions.

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The mission of the Children's Defense Fund is to Leave No Child Behind and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick, into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. We have never taken government funds.