Napier Baptist

Tearfund have begun a campaign for people to protest about the shocking rates of child abuse in our country (go here to read more). To join, you simply wear a peg (read below to see why). I think this is a very significant issue that Christians should be involved in.

This is what Tearfund say:

THE PEG PLEDGE WEAR THE PEG AND SPEAK OUT.STOP THE VIOLENCE OF CHILD ABUSE

New Zealand is the third worst killer of children in the OECD.TEAR Fund is calling on people to show their outrage about New Zealand’s appalling record of child abuse by wearing a clothes peg and pledging to stand-up, speak out and stop the violence. The first campaign runs until the first day of spring on September 21st.The symbol of the clothes peg confronts us all with the national shame of Child Abuse and the memory of three year old Nia Glassie who among other things, suffered hanging from a clothes line before her death.Wearing the Pledge Peg ( we don’t sell them, just get one from your laundry ) provokes people to ask why are you wearing a clothes peg. That’s your opportunity to talk openly about our crisis of child abuse in New Zealand and explain that we are all advocates and need to accept responsibility for protecting our nation’s children. Almost every conversation with the Pledge Peg will end with the other person asking for a peg and joining the movement. The Pledge Peg can be a chain reaction. Carry some spares in your pocket.Take the Peg Pledge – Remember the VictimsEnd the AbuseBe informed 1. A UNICEF report has accused New Zealand of having one of the worst levels of child maltreatment in the developed world. OECD has listed New Zealand as the third worst killer of children among its members.2. There are 20 confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect in New Zealand every day.( ref: Ministry of Social Development report 2005 )3. Between 2002 and 2006 there were 88 child deaths in New Zealand.48 were Pakeha, 28 were Maori, 12 were ‘other’ . (Cindy Koro Children’s Commissioner quoted in the Sunday Star Times August 5th )Further information

NZ Children’s Commission www.occ.org.nz/

UNICEF www.unicef.org.nz

How did Jesus the Christ view children? He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me (Mark 9:36-37).

Then the people brought little children to Jesus for him to pace his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there (Mat. 19:13-15).

People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not recieve the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. (Lk. 18:15-17)