New Policy:
Background checks for child & youth workers
by Annette Bender
A resolution passed at Annual Conference this summer will require Holston churches to establish child and youth abuse prevention policies by fall 2005.
The so-called "Safe Sanctuaries resolution" was approved by clergy and laity attending Annual Conference on the final morning of the June 13-16 meeting in Lake Junaluska, N.C. The resolution was sponsored by Holston's connectional ministries staff in response to a 1996 General Conference resolution requiring all United Methodist churches to implement child and youth abuse prevention policies.
Holston's prevention effort follows widespread child and youth abuse in the Roman Catholic Church, and the 2001 rape of a 12- year-old girl at a United Methodist camp in the Tennessee Conference.
"For Holston Conference, the physical and emotional safety, as well as the spiritual growth of all God's children and youth, is important," according to 'Safe Sanctuaries' literature produced by the connectional ministries staff.
"We believe that we as a Church must take reasonable steps to love and protect our children and youth while they are involved in programs and activities provided in and by our local churches, districts, and our Conference."
Based on the "Safe Sanctuaries" guidebooks published by the United Methodist Church, churches are encouraged to conduct background checks on people who work with young people, regardless if the workers are paid staff or volunteers. Some churches may also be required to install fire alarm and smoke detector systems, emergency lighting, and windows in doors of classrooms and offices.
"Costs will vary according to your facility's size and configuration," according to the connectional ministries flyer. For background checks on workers, discounts are available to Holston groups at two online businesses: TRAK-1 (www.trak-lok.com) and Oxford Document Management Services (www.oxforddoc.com). Each background check may cost $6 or more, according to the connectional ministries staff.
To help churches prepare for the new procedures, the Wesley Institute will provide six free workshops throughout the conference, Aug. 21 through Sept. 30. (See list on the right - >>.)
Clergy, child and youth workers attending the workshops are encouraged to purchase one of two guidebooks by author Joy Thornburg Melton: Safe Sanctuaries: Reducing the Risk of Child Abuse in the Church or Safe Sanctuaries: Reducing the Risk of Abuse in Youth Ministries. The books are $13 each and available through Cokesbury Bookstores.
Churches will be expected to present their new child and youth abuse prevention policies at charge conferences in 2005, according to the Rev. Gordon Ridenour, executive assistant to the bishop.
For more information, contact Coordinator of Youth Ministries Dan Gray (by email) or (423) 928-2156; Coordinator of Children's Ministries Anita Henderlight (by email) or (865) 690-4080; or visit http://upcoming.holston.org for a training registration form.
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Safe Sanctuaries Resolution
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