Baptismal investment

Lutheran, The, Aug 2004 by Smith, Dana

Denver congregation follows baptism with gift for mission

At Augustana Lutheran Church, Denver, the baptized receive a gift that parishioners say is a powerful way to set newly baptized children and their parents on the road toward discipleship.

Through the Augustana Foundation, the congregation opens for each child a MissionFuture4KIDZ $100 investment in the ELCA Mission Investment Fund (www.elca. org/mif/). The gift provides parents with a way to save money for college. Meanwhile, the MIF loans the money to congregations to help build mission congregations and assist established churches with building or renovation needs.

The MissionFuture4KIDZ is a term investment that can be opened by adults for children under age 16. Once opened, the investment can be added to with a minimum of $50, creating a way for parents, relatives and friends to contribute to a child's education.

"Pastorally, this amounts to a powerful teaching moment," says John R. Pederson, a pastor of Augustana. "Usually I watch parents ' wheels turn in their heads in sudden recognition that baptism is actually a warrant for ministry. With this gift, from this day onward, ministry will be accomplished in their child's name."

The church's volunteer coordinator attended a synod meeting at which congregations were urged to support the new MissionFuture investment opportunity.

"A lightbulb went on," Katherine Cruson remembers, "and I thought, baptism gifts!" Although she submitted an application to the Augustana Foundation for $50 gifts, the foundation amended the proposal: Each child would receive a $100 investment.

Since 2001, Augustana has given 51 MissionFuture4KIDZ gifts. One went to Janet and Kevin Flesch's daughter Mackenzie, who was baptized in November 2001. "We were really touched when we received the gift," Janet Flesch says. "It's such a unique and special way to honor the children at their baptism and at the same time benefit others in the Christian community."

The Augustana tradition will come in handy for the growing Flesch family-they celebrated the baptisms of twins Kendall and Adelyn in July. As they add to them, their MissionFuture4KIDZ funds will help with the daunting task of saving for all three of their daughters' educations.

Smith is communication manager of Lutheran Family Services of Colorado, Denver.