Roots of Peoples United Methodist Church
Part 68 Epilogue 2
The Story Continues: Stewardship and Safe Sanctuaries

In the fall of 2004 the stewardship program was carried out through the able hands of Chris Bowker. As an older member of the congregation it was thrilling to see and feel the presence of the Lord in the hands of many younger folks who were taking numerous leadership roles such as the role that Chris had taken on. Linda and Fred Wade, Hank and Ellen Dunn, Dan and Ruth Doughty, Mike and Robyn Gray, Kathy Brann, Marilyn Voter were among those that assumed new roles or continued serving the Lord and Peoples in significant ways. Along with those previously mentioned the Kamilewicz family, the Morrisons and the Snoddys all assumed important roles in the life of the church. This is not to say that many who had been committed to long term service at Peoples didn’t continue their active and vital roles in leadership and followership.

Perhaps one of the single most significant additions to the policies of church operation that was approved by the church body in 2004 was the Safe Sanctuaries Policy. Marlene Tordoff had discussed Safe Sanctuaries with Rev. Richard Swan of Thornton Heights and in turn brought it to the attention of the Staff-Parish Committee at Peoples in August 2002. A voluminous booklet was put together under the leadership of Chuck Kamilewicz and a sub-committee of the Staff-Parish Committee and adopted by church conference in May 2004. Originally the task force consisted of Pastor Bill Beddie and his wife Cynthia, Chris Bowker, Wendy Diffen, Kari Fileo, Theresa Folley, Linda Greer, Rosemary Herd, Joanne Kamilewicz, Barbara Nelson, Marlene Tordoff and Chris Ward.
The gist of the document primarily concerns itself with the safety of the property and parishioners. Most of what that was addressed concerned itself with making young folks safe and secure. Locking of doors to checking out the credentials of adults working with children was all part of the package. Likewise, it is possible to address those who work with elderly folks quite easily as well. Requirements and standards for staff/volunteers, Screening processes, responding to allegations/misconduct, general information and directions are included as are the forms necessary to operate the program are included in the booklet held on file in the office. It is sometimes difficult to see that such a policy
is necessary in a church setting, but this is obviously a reflection upon the times that we now live. An annual orientation for those working with children is supposed to be a must with this program.

There had been a number of incidents reported in the media of abuse taking place in church settings by both the paid staff and volunteers. Safe Sanctuaries had been implemented in many United Methodist churches during this time frame although some churches with few youngsters have not seen the necessity of adopting such a program. It should be in place in the eyes of many young families who today are looking for a church home. It is also important that church members periodically look at the policy as a reminder of what the policy is designed for and what it is to do. Periodically it may also be necessary to revise the wording of such policies. This also may serve as a reminder that many policies that were implemented years ago are still in effect, but present membership may not be aware of. Among the items that in the last 30 years have not been revisited would be a job description portfolio that describes not only the work of paid employees, but also would describe the duties of group leaders. Another area that was significant in the past was the work of the Loan and Scholarship Committee. Many thousands of dollars were given as scholarships and others as loans. There has been little record of those loans having been repaid so they might be loaned out again to deserving students or students to be.

At the annual meeting of the church in 2005 the Reverend Michael Davis DS reminded the gathered throng of the Mission and Vision statements of this church that had been adopted in 2000.
Vision: “We accept God’s love for us as demonstrated by Jesus Christ. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we will create and nurture an environment in which a diversity of people can develop and deepen a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Our actions as individuals and as a congregation in the local community and the world are a result of our commitment to the Lord.”

Mission: “As Peoples United Methodist Church we take our mission as Jesus words, “to go and make disciples”. And John Wesley’s exhortation to “spread scriptural holiness within and beyond our local community.”

Certainly the meaning of both the vision and mission statements played a prominent role in the creation of the Safe Sanctuaries policy. Mike’s reminder of what our beliefs are should and do play a part in whatever we as a church strives to achieve in our discipleship within and without this church. Sometimes we need that reminder to keep us focused and on track.

In order to ensure that, the leadership of Peoples prepared in August of 2005 an Intreat otherwise known as a Retreat. Use of the term “Intreat’ simply meant that we didn’t go away for this workshop on the future of Peoples, but basically stayed home. The Intreat was a good way of having the new pastors, Gwyneth and Jamie Arrison become more familiar with who we were. It also gave us the opportunity to get to know them better as well.