A Word from Our Pastor
Now that we have formally adopted
Written policies and procedures to help us
maintain a safe, secure and spiritually nurturing environment for children and youth attending services of or activities sponsored by the church, we have the task of implementing the guidelines. To help us do that, we have elected a risk management committee. This new non-rotating committee will begin working immediately. They will need the patience and cooperation of everyone.
As we begin implementing the policies and procedures, we will need new fold to “stand up to the plate” and help us with the requirement to have at least two adults in situations involving the presence of children and youth. This means we need two adults in each Sunday School class. We will two adults serving in the nursery. (Some have asked about teenagers working in the nursery and helping elsewhere. While older teenagers can continue to assist in the nursery and elsewhere, it is necessary for two persons over the age of 18 to be present.) We will need two adults in vehicles when transportation is necessary. In short, we will need two adults with our children and youth whenever and wherever they are in a class or group setting.
Right now, we are in immediate need of help with one children’s Sunday School class (1—3 grades). This class needs an additional adult worker. And we especially need help with the nursery. While we have very capable and happy volunteers serving in the nursery, the few that do serve do not wish so much that they miss out on other aspects of the church’s life, such as worship. No one can blame them! I want to encourage you to consider prayerfully how your presence might help us enhance our ministry with our children and youth. Let me know what you think and how God might be leading you to be in ministry with our children and youth.
And as we begin the process of background checks, please know that they take place discreetly and confidentially. Not everyone will need a background check. Only persons having direct contact with our children and youth will need to participate in the background checks. As we start this process, please be patient, understanding and cooperative. Remember, it is for the further safety and well-being of our children.
In what little space I have left here, I want to commend our Woman’s Missionary Union for the marvelous work they do to keep us focused on being the presence of Christ to those who need to sense and feel the loving, gracious, benevolent touch of God. As the hands and feet of God in the world today, God touches fold through us. Our responding to the missions leadership through our WMU, is responding to God’s desire that each of us be on mission for the advancement of kingdom.
I had the privilege of attending the recent annual meeting of the WMU of the Petersburg Baptist Association. I’m not a headcounter, but it was obvious to me that apart from the host church, our church was the next best represented church. And again, the women present at the annual meeting elected our own, Grace Dunford, to continue as WMU Director of the association. They also elected Lynn Rogers to continue a secretary and mission involvement consultant, Natalie Blackwell as treasurer and Mickey Sheffield as council secretary/treasurer. These women have and no doubt will continue to represent us well in the Petersburg Baptist Association. We salute them and the others of our WMU!
Now friends, until next month, keep the faith and share it with someone who needs it!
- Pastor Joe
