The staff and disciples of Linglestown Life

have received quite an education in how to keep the children and the adults who work with them safe in the 21 st century. In the past 5 years, more than 86 volunteers and staff have completed our Safe Sanctuaries program.

When we started in 2000, none of us on the Task Force could have imagined how much we would learn and grow by implementing a Safe Sanctuaries policy in our church. The 3 persons on the Task Force consulted with over 15 ministry team leaders in our preschool, elementary and youth departments as well as with outside programs housed in the church. After many training events and meetings we took the policy to the Ad Council for approval. We then worked on the procedures for each of the four areas of the policy: Screening, Supervision, Reporting, and Response. Our procedures continue to be a work in progress and we recently completed our first update.

Was this an easy process? Yes and no. I can answer yes because Joy Melton's Safe Sanctuaries materials and in-person training events were very helpful to our Task Force. Our Task Force members read all we could, surfed the internet for resources from other churches, and asked a lot of questions.

I can answer that it was not always easy. We did lose several volunteers in our Sunday School who did not want to go through the application process. But new volunteers have taken their places and everybody is eager to be trained and ready to be a safe place for children and youth. We still have folks in the congregation who don't quite understand why we have a Safe Sanctuaries policy. Our prayer is that they will soon learn the importance of keeping our children and our workers safe.

In the past 5 years we have seen a dramatic shift in the concern for our children, both in the community and in the church. Now, we have parents coming to us asking how we protect their children. They expect that all volunteers will be screened and trained. They expect to see name tags worn, sign-in sheets used and emergency contact information collected.

While the Task Force was meeting, we quickly realized that someone needed to be in charge of administering the Safe Sanctuaries program. My interest in child protection and my administrative skills made me an ideal candidate and when the Task Force completed their assignment, I continued on as Minister of Safe Sanctuaries at Linglestown Life.

I work 5 to 10 hours each month, reviewing applications, interviewing prospective volunteers, collecting reference, clearances and other paperwork. I also work closely with the Child Minister, Children's Minister, Youth Minister, Music Coordinator and Congregational Care Minister. I report monthly to the Lead Pastor who is my Supervisor. In addition, I also coordinate all training events and disseminate child protection information to staff and volunteers.

The position is both exciting and challenging. I love meeting all the new volunteers. There are always questions and Tom Salsgiver, Conference Council on Ministries Director, has been very helpful.

To anyone reading this, I want you to be encouraged. Protecting our children and the folks who work with them is one of the most rewarding ways that I am serving my church. Build a support group of people both within your church and from other churches. Together we can make the churches of Central Pennsylvania a safe place for children.

Submitted by Nancy L. Cartwright, Minister of Safe Sanctuaries

Linglestown Life UMC

1430 N. Mountain Rd.

Harrisburg PA 17112

717-545-3617