We here at MUMC affirm that all children and youth have the right to safe sanctuary. Therefore MUMC is determined to provide an environment in which children and youth are safe from neglect and abuse. The policies and provisions of this ministry apply to all staff and volunteers, clergy or lay, who have direct or indirect contact with children or youth in MUMC sponsored events.
In order to work with children or youth at MUMC, Safe Sanctuary Training is required. Trainings are held on the second Sunday of the month, or as needed. For more information please call, Donna Jelovic 636-391-8170 or email her at jjelovic@earthlink.net.
Next training: November 11, December 9, and January 13, 2008.
About Safe Sanctuary Training
MUMC started the Safe Sanctuary Program, formerly known as the Child Protection Program, 5½ years ago. Its relevance has been emphasized in recent months with the rash of public reports of child abuse in other denominations.
Donna Jelovic, the Safe Sanctuary Ministry Leader explains “The original ministry name Child Protection Training or CPT was changed recently to the Safe Sanctuary Ministry. The change is in line with the name given the Missouri Conference’s recently adopted rules covering all adults who participate in conference activities for children and youth.”
However, the plan basically is the program MUMC started in August, 1998.
The program calls for all adults who work with kids 18 years of age or younger to take part in a screening and training program. That covers all church staff and volunteers, Jelovic said.
The first step is taking a one-hour training program, where the duties and responsibilities of the adult workers are explained.
SAFE SANCTUARY TRAINING will be offered on a regular basis the 2nd Sunday of each month at 10:30 am, in the Library unless otherwise noted.
The next step is filling out an application followed by a personal interview with a MUMC staff member. Children’s Education Interim Director Peggy Andereck handles interviews for those working with children from birth to 5th grade.
Youth Directors John Guiney and Nancy Cooper handle interviews with those who will work with youth (Grades 6 through 12). Kevin McBeth and Lori Borger will handle interviews with those in the music programs. Rev. Debby Peebles will handle interviews with those who work with Room at the Inn.
The application then is given both a Missouri State Highway Patrol and Department of Social Services record check, she said.
Only members or persons who have been active participants at MUMC for six months are eligible to work with children and youth, Jelovic said.
Jelovic said the application, interview and screening process is “very confidential.”
She said another important aspect of the program is the “two-adult” rule. That requires two adults to be present at the same time in any children or youth program or activity.
She stressed the “two-adult” rule is also for protection of the adult staff and volunteers. Adults need reputation protection, she said.
Jelovic said MUMC has a varied program for children and youth that has developed a strong reputation for safety within the community. “Just one report could severely damage that reputation or even cause it to fall,” she said.
MUMC is entering a time of the year when there will be an increase in recruiting of adults to work in summer youth and children’s programs. Jelovic said Vacation Bible School and youth trips require large numbers of adult volunteers.
