CHILD SAFETY PROCEDURES

Grace congregation believes it is crucial that children and youth be safe while participating in our programs and events. We, along with other Lutheran churches in South Carolina, have adopted safety standards for all adults involved with children’s or youth ministries. All volunteers and staff are required to complete a background check and mandatory training sessions and sign volunteer covenants agreeing to abide by the prescribed safety procedures. The congregational council has also adopted the Safe Haven for Children Resolution (see text below.) If you are interested in working with children’s or youth ministries at Grace or would like more information on our child safety procedures, please see Pastor Eric.

SAFE HAVEN FOR CHILDREN RESOLUTION

WHEREAS the social upheavals of our time and the growing gap between rich and poor have been especially damaging to the lives of children and families; and

WHEREAS, as we prepare for the new millennium, we must assure the youngest and most vulnerable members of our world that they have a future; and

WHEREAS we long for children to be free from fear and to live in faith;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT this congregation joins other ELCA congregations in committing itself to be a Safe Haven for all children and their families and caregivers, by:

I. Building Christ-centered, positive, trusting relationships that nurture the healthy growth of children and strengthen families.

II. Managing our resources to provide a safe-place for children.

III. Creating a Gospel-centered, faith-based teaching and learning environment of hospitality that welcomes all children with their families and caregivers.

IV. Developing programs and places that help children to flourish.

V. Cooperating with other faith communities, agencies, and service organizations that work for the well-being of children in our community.

VI. Supporting the efforts of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to meet the basic needs of children through Lutheran social ministry organizations, as they provide caring services for children, and through the ELCA World Hunger Program, which carries our concerns for children throughout the world.