Safe Sanctuaries
Safe Sanctuaries is the name commonly given by local United Methodist Annual Conferences and local churches to their individual efforts to make conference, district, and local church programs welcoming and safe for children and youth.
This portion of our website provides links to helpful resources for congregational leaders who desire to make the ministries Safe Sanctuary compliant. Look over at the top left margin to see the topics provided.
The Annual Conference Safe Sanctuaries Team developed a policy to govern the programs and ministries sponsored by the South Georgia Annual Conference. This policy was presented and approved at the Annual Conference session in June 2007. Click here to download the policy.
We encourage local churches and districts to begin working now on policies and procedures that will make their ministries Safe Sanctuary compliant. The policies and practices will go a long way toward protecting children, youth and vulnerable adults; protecting the adult workers who serve in these ministries; and protecting the various assets of the church for making disciples of Jesus Christ.
The South Georgia Conference staff of the Office of Connectional Ministries – including Mr. Adam Ricker, Director of Life Span Ministries, and Dr. Brad Brady, Assistant to the Bishop for Connectional Ministries, may be able to assist you at no cost to your local church. The office number is 888-266-7642.
Safe Sanctuaries Taskforce
The Office of Connectional Ministries convened a task group that developed the Safe Sanctuaries policy for Annual Conference and District sponsored events. This group was comprised of children and youth workers, social workers, pastoral counselors, clergy and Connectional Ministries program staff. All are committed to protecting children, youth and vulnerable adults, protecting staff and volunteers, and protecting the assets of the church for the making of disciples.
Task Force Members:
Task Force Members:
Mrs. Stacy Avera, Member, Wynnton UMC
Dr. Brad Brady, Assistant to the Bishop for Connectional Ministries
Mr. Josh Burnham, Statesboro, Director of Youth Ministries
Dr. Edwin Chase, Methodist Children's Home Chaplain / Family Institute Director
Mrs. Allison Eastin, Douglas First, Director of Children’s Ministry
Mr. Ritchie Johnson, Precepts Ministry Director
Mr. Mickey Mooring, Martha Bowman Memorial, Director of Children’s Ministry
Rev. Adam Ricker, Associate Director for Life Span Ministries, Connectional Ministries
Rev. Doreen Smalls, Associate Director, Connectional Ministries
Mrs. Judy Tott, Americus Group Home Director, The Methodist Home
Rev. Denise Walton, Pastor, South Columbus UMC
Mr. Chance Ward, Springfield, Director of Children’s Ministry
Rev. Deborah Wight-Knight, Conference Pastoral Counselor
Dr. Brad Brady, Assistant to the Bishop for Connectional Ministries
Mr. Josh Burnham, Statesboro, Director of Youth Ministries
Dr. Edwin Chase, Methodist Children's Home Chaplain / Family Institute Director
Mrs. Allison Eastin, Douglas First, Director of Children’s Ministry
Mr. Ritchie Johnson, Precepts Ministry Director
Mr. Mickey Mooring, Martha Bowman Memorial, Director of Children’s Ministry
Rev. Adam Ricker, Associate Director for Life Span Ministries, Connectional Ministries
Rev. Doreen Smalls, Associate Director, Connectional Ministries
Mrs. Judy Tott, Americus Group Home Director, The Methodist Home
Rev. Denise Walton, Pastor, South Columbus UMC
Mr. Chance Ward, Springfield, Director of Children’s Ministry
Rev. Deborah Wight-Knight, Conference Pastoral Counselor