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

• Nominee for 2006 Andrew E. Murray Peacemaking Award
  • Robert VanDale
• Disaster Relief Trips
  • October Trip to Mississippi (PDF)
• Links to Peacemaking Sites
  • http://www.pcusa.org/peacemaking

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.