PUTTING KIDS FIRST SERVICE TO CELEBRATE CHILDREN.

Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer

WINNETKA - St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church will join churches and synagogues across the United States in observing Children's Sabbath this weekend.

Started by the Children's Defense Fund, the 10th annual national event is part of the nonprofit organization's efforts to educate the public on needs of children.

``The theme this year is 'Write the Vision: Creating Communities of Shalom for Children.' We have a responsibility as a church community to create a safe environment for children,'' said the Rev. Ronald Culmer at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, who said the church has participated in the event for the past five years. ``We can't sit by and be mute about children's health needs, children living in poverty and families disintegrating.''

Materials for planning the celebration were available to all faiths from the Children's Defense Fund. The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles provided guidelines specifically for its parishes.

But for Sunday's event at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, it was up to people like Culmer and MaryAnn Ryman, an 18-year veteran music and drama teacher at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal School, to create the magic.

``There will be a procession with kites and flags, the children's choir and the Brownies marching down the aisle,'' Ryman said. ``We will honor all children and remember how important they are. Everything in the service is geared to children.

``I feel it's an absolutely wonderful idea for adults, who often just think about themselves, to focus on children and their needs,'' she added. ``From the child's point of view, they're going to feel important on Sunday.''

Even though she said she sometimes feels misunderstood because she's a kid, Amanda Graziano knows she is one of the lucky kids with parents who care.

``My parents give me attention. We play family games and go on outings together,'' said the sixth-grader, who will be one of the Gospel readers on Sunday. ``I have a good feeling about doing this. I'm sort of nervous, but I've been a reader before so I'm not totally nervous.''

Graziano, a member of the children's choir, also will sing ``God Bless America'' as part of a trio and with the choir. She will be among the almost 70 children from the school who will have a role in the service.

Culmer's message for the service will focus on where children's well- being starts - in being a responsible parent.

``A lot of parents have a real hands-off approach. Then they wonder when the child grows up, 'Whose child is this? I thought I was a good parent.' Parents need to be actively involved with their children,'' Culmer said.

``Parents need to be consistent. If you don't want your child to do drugs, don't do drugs at home. If you don't want them to use foul language, don't use foul language around them. Parents also need to be available to their children at home.''

Culmer also will urge parents not to turn a blind eye to other children in the community.

The congregation at St. Martin participates year-round in lending support to abused, neglected or abandoned children at Hillsides Home for Children and in feeding the hungry through the West Valley Food Pantry. Members also participate in the annual CROP Walk, this year to be held in November.

``This isn't, OK, here's a lovely kids' service and that's it for our support of children. We're serious about getting involved. I like to say to the kids, get rad and go M.A.D. - get radically involved and go make a difference. That's what I want to say to the parents, too, on Sunday.''

Children's Sabbath will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday. St. Martin-in-the- Fields Episcopal Church, 7136 Winnetka Ave., Winnetka. Call [phone].

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St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church's Amanda Graziano, MaryAnn Ryman and the Rev. Ronald Culmer will participate in the Children's Sabbath on Sunday.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer