Mission Statement
Be Responsible for stimulating and assisting the churches of Shenango Presbytery
in relation to the ethical and social dimensions of their faith and witness.

Meetings
The Church & Community Committee usually meets 10 AM to NOON on the first Wednesday of each month (September - June) at the Presbytery Office.

• Reducing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse in the Church
• Peacemaking
• Training Events
  

REDUCING THE RISK OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
IN THE CHURCH

• Sample Policy (PDF)
• Sample Forms from the Policy (PDF)
  • Volunteer & Employment Application (Form A)
  • Form for Reference Checks (Form B)
  • Participation Covenant Statement (Form L)
  • Exemption of the Two Adult Rule (Form F)
  • Parent (Guardian) Consent Authorization (Form G)
  • Report of Suspected Sexual Misconduct (Form H)
• A Beginner's Outline (PDF)
• Ten Things Teachers Can Do to Reduce the Risk (PDF)
• Bibliography
  • "Safe Sanctuaries for Children" and "Safe Sanctuaries for Youth"
    published by Discipleship Resources (Methodist Church)
  • "Reducing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse In Your Church: A Complete and Practical Guidebook for Prevention and Risk Reduction" by Church Law & Tax Report
  • "We Won't Let It Happen Here!"
    free from Presbyterian Distribution Service. Item #72-651-02-002
    (1-800-524-2612)
• Media Resources
  • John Dittmar, Trainer and Consultant jdittmar@netzero.net
  • Tim Schneider, Lawyer
• Links to Government Forms (Coming Soon!)
  • Financial assistance for obtaining clearances is available from the
    Church & Community Committee.
• Links to Churches with Policies
  • Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church kathybarkley@clen-moore.org
  • Ebenezer Presbyterian Church ebenezer@infonline.net
  • Covenant Presbyterian Church covenant@verizon.net
  • Hillside Presbyterian Church hillside@svol.net

PEACEMAKING

• International Peacemaking
  • The Church & Community Committee has partnered with others in the Presbytery to bring us International Peacemakers. “International Peacemakers are leaders who are engaged in peacemaking in their own areas of the world. They are invited by the PCUSA to visit with Presbyterians in the United States and to help us understand the peace and justice concerns of others around the world. As we broaden our sense of God’s inclusive family, we also better understand the peace and justice issues in our own communities.” The focus issue for 2008 was poverty: the root causes and the remedies for poverty in our world. The Committee would like to thank Rev. Jim Mohr and the Westminster College Chapel Office, Bethany Church in Mercer, East Main in Grove City, and the Sudan Partnership for hosting Rev. Yousif Kodi, the International Peacemaker from the Nuba Mountain region of Sudan.
• Ways You Can Work for Peace
  • This year, the Church & Community Committee is highlighting all the ways that churches in Shenango Presbytery could be, or already are, peacemakers:
    - Study and sign the Peacemaking Commitment.
    - If you signed the Peacemaking Commitment, celebrate the 25th Anniversary in a Moment for Mission, rededication litany, or prayers during worship.
    - Receive the Peacemaking Offering (25% is designated to a organization that you decide is working for peace in your neighborhood or the world).
    - Give to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
    - Give to the One Great Hour of Sharing (Supports the Presbyterian Hunger Program, Self-Development of Peoples, and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance).
    - Join a mission trip through Shenango Presbytery’s Sudan Partnership or Constructores para Christo.
    - Join in a Habitat for Humanity build.
    - Support and pray for Ingrid Reneau in the Sudan.
    - Support the Western Pennsylvania Table Project.
    - Recycle.
    - Offer to wash dishes at a church event to reduce the use of disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
    - Offer Fair Trade coffee at church events.
    - Try the discernment process at one of your session meetings.
    - Commit to reducing the risk of child sexual abuse at your church.
    - Reduce the use of bottled water. Carry your own water bottle.
    - Write letters to your congressmen and women about peacemaking issues you care about.
    - Use investment services that are socially conscious.
    - Buy food that is grown in the area (within 200 miles).
    - Share produce from members’ gardens with a Harvest Table.
    (People bring their extra produce and share it with folks who can’t plant a garden)
    - Tutor children at a neighborhood school.
• The Commitment to Peacemaking
  • Has your church signed the Commitment to Peacemaking?

CHURCH YEAR SIGNED
Bethlehem PC, Sharon 1983
Ebenezer PC, Grove City 1984
First PC, Sharon
First PC, Greenville 1984
Hadley PC, Hadley 1988
Highland PC, New Castle
Jackson Center PC, Jackson Center 1993
Lebanon PC, Mercer
Leesburg PC, Volant 1984
Mahoning PC, Pulaski 1990
Millbrook PC, Jackson Center 1983
Moravia PC, Wampum 1996
New Wilmington PC, New Wilmington 1993
Neshannock PC, New Wilmington 1984
Plain Grove PC, Slippery Rock 1990
Pulaski PC, Pulaski 1990
Sandy Lake PC, Sandy Lake 1984
Scotch Hill, Grove City 1984
Sheakleyville PC, Sheakleyville 1984
Shenango PC, New Castle 1985
Slippery Rock PC, Ellwood City 1983
Stoneboro PC, Stoneboro 1984
Third PC, New Castle 1986
Trinity PC, Mercer
Unity PC, Mercer
Westfield PC, New Castle 1984

TRAINING EVENTS

• Reducing the Risk
  Sheakleyville Presbyterian Church is hosting a 2-hour training for Elders and
  teachers with AWARE (Crisis Shelter) on reducing the risk for child sexual abuse in
  the church. The training is Wednesday, April 23rd, from 6:30 - 8:30 PM at the
  church and is open to other churches. An RSVP to Nancy Varner at 724-253-4230
  would be appreciated.