WE ARE A SAFE SANCTUARY CHURCH

 

            First and foremost, this is the house of God.  The United Methodist Church advertises that we are a church that has Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors.  With that comes a sacred responsibility that we must never take lightly.  The individuals who enter our doors not only have a right to worship God, but to be safe while doing it.

 

            We serve as a sanctuary for those who are hurting and we must strive to foster a sense of trust so they can experience well-being while they are in our midst.  We especially owe this to the children who come to us with the most open, trusting, hearts of all.  If we neglect to do whatever we can to ensure their safety, we fail as good leaders and disciples of Jesus Christ.  The well-being of our children must be paramount in our minds and our hearts. 

 

            We train our volunteers and staff in these practices as well as mandate an FBI Fingerprinting and clearance for all.  Please keep in mind the real reason we are doing this.  We are doing it for the children, to keep them safe as they look to us for guidance at the beginning of their faith journey.

 

            When we baptize and confirm our children, we, as members of the congregation, promise to guide these children on their faith journey and to be responsible for them in the church.  That promise that we made to our children and that we will make to future generations of children must be taken seriously and as a covenant.

 

            Our Director of Children's Ministry, Susan Winters, is the coordinator of our Safe Sanctuary program.  Please call her in the office with questions regarding these practices.