Statement from Disciples Related Children’s Agencies on Newtown Tragedy

by NBA Cares

St. Louis, MO: December 19, 2012 – The National Benevolent Association (NBA) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) joins with five Disciples-related children’s agencies— Christian Services for Children in Alabama, Tennyson Center for Children at Colorado Christian Home, Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Child Saving Institute, and Cleveland Christian Home—in a joint statement of grief and solidarity with the families and community of Newtown, Connecticut. Following the violent shootings at Sandy Hook elementary on December 14, 2012, our collective agencies including staff, Trustees, and volunteers express our condolences and prayers to the victims’ families and loved ones as they continue to face the aftermath of this tragedy.

Each day our children’s agencies serve children and youth in crisis and their families. We know and understand the complicated nature of violence and the often heartbreaking results caused by violence. We honor and give thanks for all the professionals—counselors, nurses, doctors, clergy, and others—who are caring for the families and individuals in the Newtown community. The sad truth is violent deaths of our children are not as uncommon as one would like to believe. The U.S. Center for Disease Control reports that the numbers of deaths in the United States due to violence against children and youth are staggering. In 2009, more than 1,700 children ages 0 to 17 died from child abuse and neglect with 81% of those deaths occurring among children younger than age 4, and 5,000 young people ages 10 to 24 were murdered, making youth violence the second leading killer for this age group.

As people of faith, we recognize that this loss of life during this Advent season just before Christmas seems even more devastating. We acknowledge how there are no easy answers or simple solutions to such issues as mental illness, domestic assault, and gun violence. There are, however, resources available in local communities across the country. These programs and services help families and children in crisis so as to prevent violent outcomes. Along with congregations, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has many organizations and programs to help children, youth, and their families by providing safe and nurturing spaces for children to thrive.

  • In response to this tragedy, we encourage Disciples to make a commitment to support the most vulnerable in our communities – our children. Volunteer as a mentor. Commit to being foster parents, and ultimately saying “yes” to adoption. Advocate for policy changes on the local, state, and national level. Donate in honor of a child in your life. Feed a hungry family. Tutor a student who struggles with school or host educational opportunities on anti-bullying.

We are called to give voice and witness as we believe in the full flourishing of human life. As we continue to lift and hold the community of Newtown in prayer, let us be testaments of our faith that we can indeed help nurture true communities of compassion and care.

Resource List of Disciples-related Children’s Agencies

(Alabama)  Christian Services for Children in Alabama
Selma, Alabama (P) 334/875-0608 (Web) www.cscalabama.org

(Colorado) Tennyson Center for Children at Colorado Christian Home
Denver & Littleton, Colorado (toll free) 877/224-8223
(P) 303/433-2541 (Web) www.childabuse.org

(Mississippi) Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth
Jackson & Tupelo, Mississippi (P) 601/354-0983 (Web) www.scscy.org

(Nebraska) Child Saving Institute
Bellevue & Omaha, Nebraska (P) 402/553-6000 (Web) www.childsaving.org

(Ohio)  Cleveland Christian Home
Cleveland, Ohio (P) 216/671-0977 (Web) www.cchome.org