Church of the Brethren Newsline
September 13, 2007
The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) is asking Church of the Brethren congregations that have implemented a Child Safety Policy and/or a Covenant for Childcare Volunteers to send a copy of these policies to its Family Life Ministry.
ABC is working to respond to the Child Abuse Prevention Query forwarded by delegates at this year’s Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren. One of the first steps the agency will take is to collect drafts of policies that congregations already have implemented. Several of these drafts will be posted at ABC’s website as a resource for congregations that wish to implement their own Child Safety Policy and/or Covenant for Childcare Volunteers, or other documents caring for the welfare of children and youth during congregational events.
Congregations that are utilizing policies, covenants, and statements related to safeguarding children during church functions are requested to share these documents with the larger church by sending electronic versions of the documents to abc@brethren.org. Documents in Word or PDF formats are preferred. Questions regarding ABC’s response to the Child Abuse Prevention Query can be directed to Kim Ebersole, director of Family and Older Adult Ministries, at 800-323-8039 or kebersole_abc@brethren.org.
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The Church of the Brethren Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board. Mary Dulabaum contributed this report. Newsline stories may be reprinted if Newsline is cited as the source. To receive Newsline by e-mail go to http://listserver.emountain.net/mailman/listinfo/newsline. Submit news to the editor at cobnews@brethren.org. For more Church of the Brethren news and features, subscribe to “Messenger” magazine; call 800-323-8039 ext. 247.