DATE: Friday, October 17, 1997              TAG: 9710170807

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY REBECCA MYERS CUTCHINS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                        LENGTH:   59 lines

``STAND FOR CHILDREN'' BEING PLANNED FOR PORTSMOUTH

Congregations of all denominations are planning a citywide Sabbath in November, called ``Stand For Children,'' to call attention to issues confronting young people.

``Stand For Children,'' which takes its name from a national rally held in June of '96 in Washington, is scheduled for 3 p.m. Nov. 2 at Broad Street United Methodist Church, 300 Broad St.

``Our goal is to invite the many congregations from throughout the city to be a part of this interfaith service on that day,'' said John G. Hatcher Jr., executive director of the Wesley Community Service Center.

The program is being spearheaded by the center, a national mission project of the United Methodist Church.

The program will be designed to keep the momentum rolling from last year's children's rights march that drew thousands of child advocates from across the country to the Lincoln Memorial.

``We've committed ourselves to addressing the issues of children ... with the hope that individual congregations and organizations will take on projects related to children throughout the year,'' Hatcher said.

Commitment cards asking participants to make a pledge to help a child in some tangible way will be distributed throughout the service.

``Whether it's to serve as a foster grandparent or participate as a mentor or a tutor, we're going to invite adult members of the congregation to indicate on cards some act that they will do for a child in the coming year,'' Hatcher said.

Church congregations, for example, could pledge to build a children's playground or they could commit to establishing after-school programs for neighborhood students.

``We're looking at recognizing that we have issues of hunger and health and neglect and abuse right here in our city,'' Hatcher said. ``We want to affirm the work that's being done on children's behalf but also to call attention to the gap that exists and how it can be filled.''

An ecumenical committee has met regularly for the last year to plan the program, which will involve a number of youngsters from various congregations throughout Portsmouth.

Young people from Holy Angels Catholic Church will present a drama, those from Temple Sinai will give Scripture readings, and entertainment will be provided by a 40-voice youth choir, the Voices of Faith.

``We want members of all congregations across the city to bring their children, so they can participate in things like the processional,'' said Bill Trask, a Wesley Center volunteer. ``At this point, we're not offering any concrete solutions to meet particular problems mentioned, but we do want to spotlight them and get congregations really seriously committed to finding what they can do to make a difference.''

For more information about the service, call the Wesley Center at 399-0541. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

THE EVENT

What: Stand For Children.

When: 3 p.m. Nov. 2.

Where: Broad Street United Methodist Church, 300 Broad St.

Information: 399-0541.

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