Bakers honored for ‘Embracing the Child’

Presbyterian Children's Homes Association
Celebrates 5th Birthday

by Emily Enders Odom

RICHMOND, July 1—A stirring morning presentation on the Presbyterian Church (USA) Decade of the Child, which challenged Presbyterians to "embrace the children as we follow Christ's example," led fittingly to a celebration and affirmation of some of those who do just that.

Keynote speakers Charles L. Baker and Sally Baker, tireless advocates on behalf of children, were also honored during the annual Presbyterian Children's Homes & Related Ministries (PCHARM) Embracing the Child Luncheon Thursday afternoon.

The Bakers have distinguished themselves by faithful service to children, most notably in Buckhorn, KY, where he was president and CEO for 21 years of the Presbyterian Child Welfare Agency and she was vice president of the Buckhorn Children's Foundation, a related organization that helps to support Buckhorn financially.

"I recently heard on NPR this definition of mission: Determine where God is already at work in the world and join her there," Sally Baker said. "This surely fits Buckhorn."

"For many Presbyterians," she said, "Buckhorn is both a mythical and a mystical place… rooted from its beginning in Presbyterian connectionalism."

Following their joint remarks, the Bakers were hailed with a standing ovation as they received PCHARM's 2004 Children's Champion Award. Previous honorees have included former assembly moderators Doug Oldenburg and Freda Gardner.

In his opening remarks, Lyle Hamilton, the church relations coordinator at Intermountain Children's Homes and Services, in Helena, MT., had characterized PCHARM, which was founded in 1999 to be a resource and advocate in the church on the issues of children and families, as a "precocious 5-year old."

"We want Presbyterians to know that the Presbyterian denomination—and all of its adherents, members, and others—minister to children in some wonderful, life-redeeming and lifegiving ways," Hamilton said.