Ideas for Observing Rachel's Day

The day and preparation for the day mean listening to children's fears and hopes.

• Ask Sunday school children to draw a two-part picture. On one-half of the picture, ask them to show what they fear, and on the other half, what they hope for. Then display them in your congregation.


• Invite a panel of professionals who deal with children's issues to speak at a Sunday forum or other gathering. Consider a police officer,  social worker, educator, nurse or doctor, pastor or youth worker, parent or city or town official. Give them three or four questions on which to focus their comments.


• Ask your pastor to use Jeremiah 31:15–17 for the sermon text on Rachel's Day.


• Use the Rachel's Day litany or responsive reading in your worship.


• Give a blue ribbon—a symbol of hope—to everyone at worship. Blue represents hope (and so is also the color for Advent).


• Gather a thankoffering to be used for women and children in crisis. Send your thankoffering in full to Women of the ELCA, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631–4101.


• Ask your town or city officials to consider naming the first Sunday in May Rachel's Day. Provide them with background material.


• Make a donation of tangible items—such as sports equipment, books, bedding, clothing and so forth— o a local library, shelter, youth center, hospital or other agency that supports children at risk. Check with them first to see what they need.


• Ask your women's group, social ministries committee or evangelism committee to determine the greatest need that children have in the immediate neighborhood and try to meet it during the year.


• Offer a class on anger management.


• Provide a parents' or caretakers' day out service.


• Post the phone numbers of crisis center hot lines or other services for children in your church classrooms and restrooms.


• Consider linking with Big Brothers and Big Sisters programs in your area.


• Pray for children—all children—and the adults who care for them.


• Be positive with all the children in your life.


• Visit Search Institute for additional resources.


• Join the Children's Defense Fund and plan to take part in Children's Sabbath.