Salem United Church of Christ of Rohrerstown

“Safe Church Policy”

Policy Prohibiting Abuse, Exploitation and Harassment

          At baptism, the question is posed to the congregation; “Do you, who witness and celebrate this sacrament, promise your love, support, and care to the one(s) about to be baptized, as he/she/they live and grow in Christ?” and “We do with all honesty and intention, we promise our love, support and care.”

          It is our responsibility to make the best possible world for the most dependent and vulnerable among us.  By taking seriously the threat of harm that child abuse poses and by responding in positive, proactive ways, we are living out our baptismal vows as members of Christ’s household of faith.  In short, creating safe sanctuaries is part of our job as disciples.

          As a community of Christian faith, Salem United Church of Christ of Rohrerstown (Salem Church) is committed to creating and maintaining programs, facilities and a community in which members, friends, staff, and volunteers can worship, learn and work together in an atmosphere free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, exploitation or intimidation.  All persons associated with Salem Church should be aware that the church is strongly opposed to Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Harassment and that such behavior is prohibited by church policy.  It is the intention and responsibility of the church to take whatever action may be needed to prevent and correct behavior that is contrary to this policy and, if necessary, to discipline those persons who violate this policy.

          Children, who suffer abuse in whatever form, can carry a lifetime of trauma affecting their capacity to be in healthy relationships.  Churches where abuse has occurred break the bonds of trust for many members and can severely damage not only relationships with one another, but with God in Jesus Christ.  Reported cases which may make their way through the court system can cost churches their very existence.  At the same time, abusers need the community of God’s people to help them establish healthy, alternative patterns of behavior.

Ministerial Conduct

        The pastor, every employee, elected and appointed lay leaders, and every volunteer are all Ministers of the congregation.  As such, each is responsible for understanding the ways in which their words or actions may affect others.

          Sexual Exploitation or Sexual Harassment of parishioners or others, by anyone engaged in the ministry of Salem Church is unethical and unprofessional behavior and will not be tolerated within this congregation.

          All Ministers of the church (as defined later) may sometimes deal with individuals who are emotionally or personally vulnerable in some way.  It is important that every Minister of the church be adequately prepared and educated for the ministry in which they serve others and to understand the ways in which their actions may impact those who may be vulnerable to their use or misuse of power.

          It is the policy of Salem Church to encourage its Ministers and Authorized Ministers, to nurture safety within Ministerial Relationships by being attentive to self-care, education, and the importance of referring those in need to supportive and helpful resources.   It is required that all prospective employees and volunteers complete and submit an application and undergo a personal interview.  Further, it is required that all persons engaged in providing ministry will complete and submit a Safe Church Self-disclosure Statement. (Copies of Application and Statement attached)

Child and Youth Protection Policy

          As noted in the first section of this policy, Salem Church is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment in which young people can learn about and experience God’s love.  In order to ensure this, we have established the following guidelines.

          -An “usher” will serve as hall monitor to observe who enters and leaves the building during church functions.

          -In order to provide proper supervision, the nursery restroom must be used by all children during their time in class or nursery.

          -We expect that those who volunteer to work with minors will have been members of Salem Church for at least six months, or if not members, regularly and frequently associated with Salem Church for at least a year.

          -It is the intent of Salem Church to provide adequate supervision and safeguards for all children and youth activities.  In any situations where participants are not readily visible to other church members, there will not be fewer than two adults present with children.  Youth over the age of 13 years may assist an adult however; this assistance does not change the requirement that at least two adults must be present.

          -All volunteers who work with children and youth (Birth through 17 years) will complete and submit a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and a Safe Church Self-disclosure Statement. Further, a Pennsylvania Criminal Record Check will be made unless the applicant provides evidence of said check within 12 months of application date.  (Copies Attached)

          -All volunteers and employees who work with children and youth will receive orientation to this Safe Church Policy.

          -Written consent of one parent or guardian will be required for all children/youth activities off the church property and/or for any overnight activities using the “Parent/Guardian Consent for Child/Youth Off-location and/or Over-night Event/Occasion form.” (Attached)

          -Sign-in and sign-out for nursery children and Children’s Church attendees will be required using the provided Registers.  (Copies Attached)  It is expected that the person dropping off will be the same person picking up, unless the nursery attendant/Children’s Church leader has been informed otherwise using the appropriate “Authorization for a Person Other than Parent to Pick up Child…” form.

Requirements for Employed Ministry

          -Before an offer of employment is made to any individual (whether ordained, commissioned, licensed or other lay person), a comprehensive background check, including a criminal records check utilizing the PA Criminal Record Check form, will be completed.      In addition, those employees relating with children and youth will be required to undergo the PA Child Abuse History Clearance.

-It is the policy of Salem Church that no member can be an employee.  [An exception is made for all Authorized Ministers who, according to The Office of Ministry of the United Church of Christ, must become a member of the local congregation which they serve in order to maintain their Official Standing within the denomination.]

          -All Ministers of the church will complete an application/disclosure form before beginning their duties.

          -The chairperson of the Pastor/Parish Relations Committee will conduct a review of the registered sex offender registry for each Minister and Authorized Minister.  The pastor will conduct this review for all employees and the chairperson of GIFT will conduct the review for all volunteers.  The registered sex offender registry will be reviewed semi-annually for all Ministers and Authorized Ministers.

          -Authorized Ministers of the church will attend all boundary workshops as required by Lancaster Association or will attend at least one workshop every three years, whichever is more frequent.

Definitions

        Minister: a person engaged by the church to carry out its ministry.  Minister includes elected or appointed leaders of the church, employees, and volunteers, as well as authorized ministers.

          Authorized Minister: a person who holds ordained ministerial standing or has been commissioned or licensed by an association of the United Church of Christ or region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

          Ministerial Relationship: the relationship between one who carries out the ministry of the church and the one being served by that ministry.

          Sexual Exploitation: sexual activity or contact (not limited to sexual intercourse) in which a minister engaged in the work of the church takes advantage of the vulnerability of a participant by causing or allowing the participant to engage in sexual behavior with the minister.

          Sexual Harassment: repeated or coercive sexual advances toward another person contrary to his or her wishes.  It includes behavior directed at another person with the intent of intimidating, humiliating, or embarrassing the other person, or subjecting the person to public discrimination.  Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:

          -Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition or circumstance of instruction, employment, or participation in any church activity;  Submission to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for evaluation in making personnel or church-related decisions affecting an individual; or

          -Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s performance or participation in church activities or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or church environment.

Prohibited sexual harassment includes unsolicited and unwelcome contact that has sexual overtones, particularly:

          -Written contact, such as sexually suggestive or obscene letters, notes, e-mails, or invitations;

          -Verbal contact, such as sexually suggestive or obscene comments, threats, slurs, epithets, jokes about gender-specific traits, sexual propositions;

          -Physical contact, such as intentional touching, pinching, brushing against another’s body, impending or blocking movement, assault, coercing sexual intercourse; and

          -Visual contact, such as leering or staring at another’s body, gesturing, displaying sexually suggestive objects or pictures, cartoons, posters, or magazines.

          Sexual harassment also includes continuing to express sexual interest after being informed directly that the interest is unwelcome and using sexual behavior to control, influence, or affect the career, salary, work, learning, or worship environment of another.  It is impermissible to suggest, threaten, or imply that failure to accept a request for a date or sexual intimacy will affect a person’s job prospects, church leadership, or comfortable participation in the life of the church.  It is forbidden either to imply or actually withhold support for an appointment, promotion, or change of assignment, to suggest that a poor performance report will be given because a person has declined a personal proposition; or to hint that benefits, such as promotions, favorable performance evaluations, favorable assigned duties or shifts, recommendations or reclassifications, will be forthcoming in exchange for sexual favors.

Review

This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis by the President of Consistory and the Pastor.

Adoption and Revision

Adopted by the Consistory of Salem United Church of Christ of Rohrerstown on December 11, 2006, contingent upon approval of legal counsel.    

Revised:  January 31, 2007

Revision Approved by Consistory, February 12, 2007 

Attachments

  “Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance” form (2 pages) CY 113

  “PA Request for Criminal Record Check” form SP4-164

  “Parent/Guardian Consent for Child/Youth Off-location and/or Over-    night Event/Occasion” Form

  “Children’s Church Sign In/Out Register”

  “Nursery Sign In/Out Register”

  “Authorization for a Person Other than Parent to Pick up My Child from the Nursery” Form

  “Authorization for a Person Other than Parent to Pick up My Child from Children’s Church” Form

  “Employment and Volunteer Application” Form

  “Safe Church Self-disclosure Statement”

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