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Introduction 

Weavers of the Web, ATC endeavors to reduce the risk of child sexual abuse in the church. The following is a reflection on the adopted resolution. A central tenet of our beliefs is the inherent value and worth of all children, youth, and adults. Children, youth, and other vulnerable people are least able to protect themselves in our society and are particularly vulnerable to abuse and neglect. Weavers of the Web, ATC is eager to do all it can to protect the youth, children, and other vulnerable people who participate in the life of this church.

Tragically, churches have not always been safe places for children, youth, and other vulnerable people. Neglect, sexual abuse, and exploitation occur in churches, both large and small, urban and rural. The problem cuts across all economic, cultural, racial, and ethnic lines. Deity calls us to make our churches safe places, protecting children, youth, and other vulnerable people from abuse. 

Abuse prevention and ministry protection policies and procedures are essential for congregations, not only for the protection and safety of our children, youth, and other vulnerable persons, but also for our volunteers and staff working with them. 

Our aim in creating and adhering to this document is to:

  •  Acknowledge the risks and develop a practical plan to address these issues; 
  • Take steps to prevent harm to our children, youth, and other vulnerable persons; 
  • Create a safe and welcoming environment for all people within our church community

Volunteer/Staff Selection Policies 

All volunteer and paid staff who work with children, youth, and other vulnerable people at Weavers of the Web, ATC will be: 

  • At least 21 years old. Exceptions apply for approved youth helpers. 
  • At least five years older than the oldest child/youth they will be supervising.
  • A regular attendee at Weavers of the Web, ATC for at least six months. Rare exceptions may be made in consultation with the clergy in charge for special situations. 

 

All volunteer and paid staff (including clergy) who work with children, youth and other vulnerable people at Weavers of the Web, ATC will: 

  • Complete and sign an application and the related waivers giving permission to check references and background information. 
  • Provide the names and contact information of three personal references. Only one of the three references provided can be a relative.
  • Undergo a criminal background check.
  • Individuals who have a conviction record of physical or sexual abuse or neglect may not work in any church-sponsored activity or program for preschoolers, children, youth or other vulnerable people. 
  • All applicants must be interviewed for suitability for the work they desire to do. Interviews will be conducted by the leader of the program in which the applicant will work. Church policy and guidelines should be discussed during the interview.

Training 

Prior to working in the youth’s or children’s ministries (or any area including other vulnerable people), workers must undergo child protection safety training. Comprehensive training on issues of child sexual abuse in church settings shall be required for all clergy, paid staff, and volunteers (e.g., youth group leaders) who regularly supervise activities for children, youth, and other vulnerable people. This training, which is offered through an online third-party partner, must be completed (or re-completed) at least once every 18 months in order to maintain authorization to work with vulnerable populations.

Ministry Supervision Guidelines 

Whenever supervising activities involving children and youth at Weavers of the Web, ATC:

  • At least two non-related adults will always be present. 
  • Children, youth, and other vulnerable people will be checked into and out of a church-sponsored activity by their parent or legal guardian or people authorized in writing by the parent/legal guardian. 
  • Participants will have access to a telephone or cell phone when groups are at or away from the church facility.
  • One-on-one interactions with children and youth will be with an open door and visible to all. The clergy, parent or guardian, or another screened adult should be aware of any such interactions.
  • Activities conducted outside of sacred ritual space with children, youth and other vulnerable populations shall be publicly accessible. Anyone has the right to visit and observe the children’s/youth’s/other vulnerable person’s activity, classroom, or church sponsored program at any time, unannounced as long as the two-adult rule is being followed. Exceptions to this right may be issued at the discretion of church leadership; any such exceptions shall be documented as to the cause and kept on file with the church for a minimum of three (3) years.
  • Activities conducted inside sacred ritual space with children, youth, and other vulnerable populations shall be publicly accessible to participants; however, because of the nature of sacred ritual space, these activities may not be interrupted. Therefore, minors under the age of 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian on file with the church before participating without the presence of said parent or guardian.
  • All classroom and office doors will have a window or be visible from the hallway, or doors should remain open while the room is occupied. 
  • Windows will be kept free from adornment that blocks the ability to see in the window. 
  • If the two-adult rule cannot be observed, a screened, designated roamer will regularly check on groups with only one adult.
  • For overnight events at the church and church-sponsored off-premise activities, two or more unrelated screened adults must be present, and must include at least two genders. 

Whenever Weavers of the Web, ATC transports children, youth, or other vulnerable people away from the church campus, 

  • No youth should drive to/from events.
  • An adult should never transport a child/youth/other vulnerable person alone.
  • Drivers of church vehicles should be approved and covered by the church’s insurance company. 
  • Drivers should go through the same screening process as all other paid/volunteer staff.

The use of electronics or media communications may be useful tools in supporting ministries with children, youth, and other vulnerable people. However, in such circumstances, the following requirements shall be met:

  • The volunteer or staff person shall never initiate a connection (friending, following, etc.) with a minor on social media.
  • If a student initiates a connection, the child, youth, or vulnerable person’s parent or guardian as well as the pastor in charge shall be notified.
  • If an adult leader receives a private text from a child, youth, or vulnerable person that seems to be questionable, the adult leader should immediately end the conversation in the virtual space and offer opportunities to have the conversation in person and in compliance with the earlier guidelines for one-on-one conversations. The ministry supervisor and/or parent/guardian should be made aware of the incident immediately. Note: If an in-person meeting is not possible, those involved will determine the most reasonable alternative in compliance with the earlier guidelines for one-on-one conversations. 
  • Adult leaders should post photos of minors on social network sites only with prior written permission granted by a parent/guardian. When posted, PHOTOS MUST NOT BE TAGGED with names or location indicators. All photos must be appropriate and in keeping with the spirit of the ministry event. 
  • All in-person protection policies apply to online platform meetings like Zoom, Skype, Messenger, and so on. (For example, two unrelated adults should be present in the virtual room just as they would be in a physical room.)
  • An official church account should be established and used for online activities, not a personal account. 
  • Communication about online meetings should be shared with parents/guardians as well as with children, youth, and other vulnerable people.
  • Adult leaders and participants should use the name they are known as within the church as usernames. 
  • Attendance of online meetings should be documented. 
  • All electronic communications shall be documented and retained.

Whenever Weavers of the Web, ATC hosts an activity involving children, youth, or other vulnerable people from another church or community organization,

  • Groups using the church facility will follow Weavers of the Web, ATC’s Child, Youth, and Other Vulnerable People Protection Policies and procedures.

Weavers of the Web, ATC volunteer and paid staff, including clergy, will be given the opportunity for training about Safe Sanctuaries policies, procedures, and child abuse issues on a regular basis. They will be rescreened every twelve (12) months. 

If a suspected incident of child abuse or neglect occurs or is revealed to a volunteer/paid staff person at a Weavers of the Web, ATC-sponsored activity, the adult in charge of the activity will: 

  • Ensure the safety of the child, youth, or other vulnerable person.
  • Call the ministry supervisor, pastor in charge, or designee. 
  • Call the appropriate county/state hotline-
    •  855-444-3911(State of Michigan Abuse reporting hotline for children and adults)

Congregational Covenant and Adoption 

Weavers of the Web, ATC’s purpose for establishing this Wiccan Safe Sanctuaries Policies and Procedures document and accompanying procedures is to demonstrate our total and unwavering commitment to the physical wellbeing, emotional safety, and spiritual growth of all our children, youth, and vulnerable people. This policy coordinates and supersedes the previous policies used by Weavers of the Web, ATC. As a community, we are committed to conduct all activities in ways that assure the safety and spiritual growth of all our children, youth, and vulnerable people, as well as all the workers with the children, youth, and vulnerable people. By this policy and its accompanying procedures, we implement prudent operational procedures in all programs and events.

  1. Training: We will conduct training on this policy and its procedures to assure that adults involved in activities with children, youth, and vulnerable people are aware of these standards and will abide by them. 
  2. Screening: All volunteers, paid staff, and clergy covered by this policy and its procedures will be screened in accordance with this policy and its procedures. All people who are subject to this policy will be rescreened every twelve (12) months. Weavers of the Web, ATC, retains the right to rescreen any individual at any time for any reason.
  3. Supervision: All activities covered by this policy and its procedures will be supervised by the appropriate number of screened adults.

Conclusion

In all our interactions and activities with children, youth, and vulnerable people, Weavers of the Web, ATC is committed to cultivating and ensuring a safe environment for all persons participating in Weavers of the Web, ATC activities and events. 

This Wiccan Safe Sanctuaries Policies and Procedures document is adopted by action of the board of Weavers of the Web, ATC this 17th day of April , 2023.

Appointed clergy: Rt. Rev. Elayne Glantzberg

Secretary: Ella Hayes

Treasurer: Bill Ehle

This document has been adapted for use from “SAFE SANCTUARIES: SMALLER MEMBERSHIP CONGREGATIONS POLICIES & GUIDELINES” by The United Methodist Church Discipleship Ministries.