All God's Children/Children's Initiative

The Virginia Conference Children’s Initiative Committee works with churches and districts to implement The Episcopal Initiative on Children and Poverty. The focus of the initiative is to reshape the church’s mission to respond to the issues of children and poverty.

Every United Methodist is called to engage at least one child in a one-on-one covenantal relationship that builds both spiritual and moral bonds.

Local churches are asked to valuate their responses to the needs of children in poverty. Spiritual and economic sanctuaries can be provided in many ways for children, parents, and others responsible for children. Having a moral role in the community, local churches have many opportunities to reach children throughout society, as well as to learn from the children’s faith and commitment to God.

Districts and Annual Conference ministries/agencies are encouraged to provide "Centers for All God’s Children" that speak to the needs of those orphaned by parents who are incarcerated, estranged by abuse, marginalized by economics, or ignored by society.

The Virginia Conference Children’s Initiative assists churches in the following ways:

• Develops resources around the issue of children and the poor
• Provides grants to churches and districts starting new and unique ministries with children, particularly those who are impoverished.
• Organizes regional summits to engage pastors and leaders in ways to respond to children and the poor
• Creates resources and organizes special events to raise awareness about public policy issues related to children and the poor.
• Conducts All God’s Children Camps for children whose mothers are incarcerated
• Recognizes churches who are able to become "A Church for All God’s Children" (having completed the "All God’s Children Checklist" at annual charge conferences)
• Collects celebration stories of churches who are making a difference in the lives of children