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Kids' Connection
at St. Stephen's United Methodist Church
400 W. New Orleans
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74011
918-455-4202
at St. Stephen's United Methodist Church
400 W. New Orleans
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74011
918-455-4202
| Let's Protect Everyone with Safe Sanctuaries! |
Introduction
Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes a child...welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:5) He also said, “If
any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones...it would be better for
you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the
depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6) Our Christian faith calls us to offer both hospitality
and protection to those who cannot protect themselves.
In response to this call and action of the 2003 Oklahoma Annual Conference, we hereby
commit ourselves as a community of faith to this policy of safety for children, youth and
vulnerable adults.
Purpose
Our congregation’s purpose for establishing this Safety Policy and accompanying procedures
is to demonstrate our absolute and unwavering commitment to create within our ministries
a “safe sanctuary” that will foster healthy growth and development in spiritual and other
dimensions as we have opportunity to provide ministry.
Statement of Policy
Therefore, as a Christian community of faith and an Oklahoma United Methodist
congregation, we pledge to conduct the ministry of the gospel in ways that assure the
safety and spiritual growth of all our children, youth and vulnerable adults as well as all
those who work with them. It is our policy to:
Conclusion
In all our ministries with children, youth and vulnerable adults, this congregation is
committed to demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ so that each person is “surrounded by
steadfast love...established in faith and confirmed and strengthened in the way that
leads to life eternal” (Baptismal Covenant II, United Methodist Hymnal, p. 44).
Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes a child...welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:5) He also said, “If
any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones...it would be better for
you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the
depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6) Our Christian faith calls us to offer both hospitality
and protection to those who cannot protect themselves.
In response to this call and action of the 2003 Oklahoma Annual Conference, we hereby
commit ourselves as a community of faith to this policy of safety for children, youth and
vulnerable adults.
Purpose
Our congregation’s purpose for establishing this Safety Policy and accompanying procedures
is to demonstrate our absolute and unwavering commitment to create within our ministries
a “safe sanctuary” that will foster healthy growth and development in spiritual and other
dimensions as we have opportunity to provide ministry.
Statement of Policy
Therefore, as a Christian community of faith and an Oklahoma United Methodist
congregation, we pledge to conduct the ministry of the gospel in ways that assure the
safety and spiritual growth of all our children, youth and vulnerable adults as well as all
those who work with them. It is our policy to:
- •Follow reasonable safety measures in the selection and recruitment of workers
•Implement prudent operational procedures in all programs and events
•Conform our facilities to meet reasonable safety standards to reduce risk of harm
or injury
•Provide workers adequate training regarding the implementation of our policies,
procedures and preferred methodologies
•Provide adequate supervision and support for workers as they are in ministry on our
behalf
•Educate parents and others in our congregation as to our policies and procedures
•Have in place a clearly defined procedure for reporting and responding to instances
of injury, harm or abuse that conforms to requirements of state law
•Respond with compassion and integrity to needs as they present themselves
following incidents of harm, injury or abuse
•Regularly review our policies and procedures to assure that they conform to current
legal, health and safety standards
Conclusion
In all our ministries with children, youth and vulnerable adults, this congregation is
committed to demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ so that each person is “surrounded by
steadfast love...established in faith and confirmed and strengthened in the way that
leads to life eternal” (Baptismal Covenant II, United Methodist Hymnal, p. 44).
| ST. STEPHEN’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SAFETY POLICY FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND VULNERABLE ADULTS |