Join us for a training that will equip you to lead others in protecting the most vulnerable in your congregation. The Safer Sanctuaries committee, in partnership with the Center for Leadership Excellence, invites you to a workshop focused on training leaders in abuse prevention.

Thursday, July 24, 2025, 10am – 12pm
Saint Luke UMC (Sanford)
Free

About the Workshop:

Since 1996, when the General Conference of The United Methodist Church adopted a resolution aimed at eliminating potential for abuse in the church, abuse prevention has been an important part of church policy-making and implementation. United Methodists are called to justice and advocacy for those whose voices are often overlooked or not heard, including children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Churches are responsible for ensuring a safe environment for all persons. The risk of harm to children, youth, and vulnerable adults can be reduced through the implementation of abuse prevention policies.

A primary focus for the NCC Safer Sanctuaries Team is to provide resources that will help churches as they develop policies, train staff/volunteers, and implement those policies. Individual church policies should be written with consideration of the church’s specific context, so there is not a one-size-fits-all policy. Recommendations for abuse prevention policy content is offered by the NCC Safer Sanctuaries Team and may be found on the webpage.

This workshop is for church leaders who will train others in abuse prevention. Participants are encouraged to bring a copy of their church abuse prevention policy.

Safer Sanctuaries: Training Leaders in Abuse Prevention is led by Rev. Charlotte Brendel, current chair of the NCC Safer Sanctuaries Team.