First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, United Church of Christ is an open, diverse, intergenerational congregation of Christian people engaged in a continuing spiritual journey. We believe that there are many ways to experience and understand God. We invite everyone to join us in this search.

At baptism, this question is posed to the congregation: “Do you, who witness and celebrate this sacrament, promise your love, support and care to the one(s) about to be baptized, as he/she/they live and grow in Christ?” And with all honesty and intention, "we promise our love, support and care.”

As adults, we promise to nurture our children in Christ. Providing this nurturance in a safe environment is part of our responsibility as disciples. Towards that end, the members of the First Congregational Church have adopted this policy on Safe Sanctuary prohibiting sexual misconduct and other forms of abusive behavior and establishing guidelines for staff and volunteers who minister to children and youth. The intent of this policy is to prevent abusive and/or inappropriate behavior within our church and to address such conduct should it occur.

 

At First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, we do everything in our power to prevent physical, emotional, and sexual abuse against children, youth, and vulnerable adults involved in ministry and related activities. We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone involved in serving and participating in activities. The purpose of this protection policy is to demonstrate our commitment through written procedures and expectations in all areas of service. This commitment includes procedures involved in selecting staff and volunteers, training and screening those who serve, establishing safe facility recommendations, and clearly defining our process for reporting suspected abuse.

Each person serving will acknowledge receipt of this policy by verifying they have read and understand this policy. This policy will be made available to any member or parent/ guardian upon request and is also available on the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn website (www.fccge.org). When changes are made to the policy, such changes will be reflected in this policy, as well as communicated to all employees and volunteers affected by the changes. This policy will be updated every two years and as circumstances change. Additional policies may be added that expand on the information presented here.

First Congregational Church takes seriously its responsibility to provide Christian Education and Youth Ministries for its members and guests in a safe environment.  In order to maintain a safe environment, it is our policy to provide adequate supervision of all children and youth activities.  Staff and volunteers who work with children and youth must:

All persons engaged in the ministry of First Congregational Church should understand the possible impact of their words and actions on the emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of persons who come to them for help or over whom they have any kind of authority.

Because volunteers and staff often deal with individuals who are emotionally and psychologically vulnerable, it is imperative that those engaged in the ministry model healthy behavior to children and youth. It is the policy of First Congregational Church to encourage its volunteers to nurture safety within ministerial relationships by being attentive to self-care, education, and the importance of referring those in need to supportive and helpful resources. Such resources and referrals are available through our Senior and Associate Pastors and program staff members.

First Congregational Church is committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which members, friends, staff and volunteers can worship and work together free of all forms of discrimination, harassment, abuse, exploitation or intimidation. This church is committed to fostering and seeks to provide an environment of hospitality for all persons, all genders, adult or child, which is free of sexual misconduct, free of physical and emotional abuse, and encourages respect, equality, equity, and kinship to Christ. We rejoice in our community of faith, strengthened by diversity, including diversity of culture, economic status, age, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, and physical or mental abilities.  We affirm that God is glorified when we welcome all people to our spiritual community, as Jesus did.  

Specifically, all persons associated with First Congregational Church should be aware that the church is strongly opposed to and will not tolerate sexual exploitation and harassment, and that such behavior is prohibited by church policy.  It is the intention of the church to take appropriate action needed to prevent and correct behavior that is contrary to this policy and, if necessary, to discipline any person who violates this policy. Sexual harassment of members or other individuals by anyone engaged in the ministry of First Congregational Church is unethical and unprofessional behavior, and will not be tolerated within this congregation.  Sexual exploitation of members or other individuals by anyone engaged in the ministry of First Congregational Church is illegal and will be reported to authorities.

This church commits itself to educating all church leaders, employees, and volunteers who work with minors in our children and youth programs and other ministries within our church on the provisions of our Safe Sanctuary Policy, so that they are aware of their responsibilities within the framework of this policy, the rationale behind the development of this policy and the applicable guidelines to be followed in ministry. 

Section: Definitions

Each state has its own statutes regarding the definitions of abuse. In Illinois, the statues regarding abuse can be found [https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=12428]. For purposes of this policy, we will use the following definitions:

Church/Organization:  First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, UCC

Staff: Any part-time or full-time paid staff member

Volunteer: Any part-time or full-time non-paid person who serves on occasion

High-Access Volunteer:  a volunteer who often interacts or over an extended period with youth in our programs. Such volunteers may be readily known to program participants under their supervision and to other volunteers and staff in the program. They may also supervise children or youth with or without a church staff member present.

Child:  Person age 0-11 years (through grade 5)

Youth: Person age 12-17 years

High-Risk Children/Youth:  Children or youth who are especially vulnerable to negative interpersonal interactions for various reasons including those who are lonely, troubled, seen as different by other children or youth.

Adult: Person 18 years and older

Vulnerable Adult: Person 18 years or age and older with physical, mental or developmental disabilities

Sexual misconduct/Abuse: Sexual misconduct and other abuses occur when a person exerts their power over others in a way that is harmful, unwelcome and/or inappropriate.

Sexual Exploitation:  This occurs when a person engaged in a ministerial relationship in the life or work of the church takes advantage of the emotional, psychological, or other vulnerability of another person within the ministerial relationship in order to engage in sexual behavior with the vulnerable person.  Any form of sexual behavior between an adult and a child as well as any sexual conduct, including sexually suggestive advances, comments or actions, directed by an adult toward a child is sexual exploitation.

Sexual Harassment:  This involves coercive or unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors or other conduct of a sexual nature directed toward another person, and includes behavior directed at and about a person’s sexuality or sexual orientation with the intent of intimidating, humiliating or harassing the other person, or subjecting the person to public discrimination.

Elder abuse: A term referring to any knowing, intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.

Neglect: The failure of a parent, guardian or other caregiver to provide for a child or youth’s basic needs. This can include physical, medical, educational and/or emotional neglect.

Physical abuse:  Nonaccidental physical injury inflicted by a parent, guardian or other person who has responsibility for the child or youth.

Emotional Abuse:  Involves verbal or nonverbal violence toward a child or other person that includes using harsh, abusive language meant to revile, malign or hurt someone. 

Bullying: Unwanted aggressive behavior, especially when there is an observed or perceived power imbalance. Bullying can be one time but generally the behavior is repeated over time.

Physical Contact will promote a positive, nurturing environment while protecting children, staff and volunteers from misunderstandings.  Please carefully follow the guidelines below:

Verbal Interactions should provide positive reinforcement, encouragement, praise, caring, and support.  Can also include appropriate jokes or humor.  Inappropriate verbal interactions include:  name-calling, shaming, belittling, derogatory remarks about the child or youth or their family, harsh language that may frighten, threaten, or humilate children or youth.

Mandated Reporters:  For purposes of the Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (the “Act”), mandated reporters include clergy and educational personnel and childcare personnel. If a mandated reporter has reasonable cause to believe that a child known to them in their professional or official capacities may be an abused or neglected child, that individual has an obligation to immediately report to the Department of Children and Family Services. A mandated reporter will be considered to know a child in a professional or official capacity if, for instance, the reporter (i) comes into contact with the child through a regularly scheduled program, activity or service, or (ii) is affiliated with a church or other entity that is directly responsible for the care, supervision, guidance or training of a child.  Note that an individual does not have to be employed by the church in order to be considered in contact with a child in a professional or official capacity. 

Sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature are “unwelcome” when such conduct continues after being informed directly that such conduct is not desired by the person to whom it is directed.

It is impermissible to suggest, threaten or imply that a failure to accept a request for a date or sexual intimacy will affect a person’s job prospects, church leadership or comfortable participation in the life of the church or to hint that benefits, such as promotions, favorable performance evaluations, favorable assigned duties, recommendations or reclassifications, will be forthcoming in exchange for sexual favors.

 

Teenage volunteers (age 14-17) can provide valuable service to the organization through their assistance in caring for and leading children during programs and activities. All volunteer workers should be at least 14, screened, trained in their particular area of service, and should read and sign a copy of the organization’s protection policy. All teenagers should serve under the supervision of an adult and not left alone with children.

The following general procedures are part of the overall protection policy at First Congregational Church:

The First Congregational Church facility (campus) should be safe for all who enter. Components of safety and security include:

 

At First Congregational Church, we will observe the following check-in/check-out procedures for children and youth as follows:

Registration for all ages:

Medications
It is the policy of First Congregational Church that prescription and non-prescription medication should be administered by parents or guardians at home. An exception to this policy may be granted to parents of children with conditions such as asthma, diabetes or severe allergic reactions or for overnight events or activites such as retreats. In these cases, parents or guardians should be given the Medication Sign-in/Sign-out form in order to provide complete details. 

First Congregational Church recommends that staff and volunteers working with children and youth obtain first aid and CPR training.  AEDs are located on the main and Pilgrim Hall levels of the church.  Staff and volunteers will be invited to participate in free, online First Aid training and the church will offer occasional CPR/AED training for staff and volunteers.

Illness

Children or youth who are observed to be ill or show signs of illness will be separated from other children, and the parent or guardian will be contacted to pick up the child.

Accidental Injury

If a child or youth is injured, the following steps should be followed:

Most incidents of child-to-child abuse occur in the bathrooms.  Church staff and volunteers should randomly and periodically monitor bathrooms to ensure that children are not lingering in the bathroom.  This is also important so that children know that an adult could walk in at any time.  If possible, staff and volunteers should use single-person bathrooms in the All Purpose Room, Church Office Suite, or Pilgrim Hall.  The following supervision guidelines are recommended:

The following discipline measures should be used at First Congregational Church. When in doubt, speak to a supervisor or ministry leader for specific situations.

Transporting children or youth may increase the risk of abuse or false allegations of abuse because staff and volunteers may be alone with a child or youth or unauthorized stops with children or youth may be made.  There is also the risk for unsupervised children to engage in child-to-child sexual activity.  The following procedures should be used when transporting children and/or youth, whether the travel is local or out of town:

Field trips present unique risks for the safety of children and youth.  Large groups are difficult to monitor, children may be more likely to act out in a less structured environment, and our church cannot screen all other adults who will have access to our youth.  It is important that everyone is aware of these risks and takes measures to minimize them.  The following are general procedures when children and youth are participating in off-site activities:

Many cases of organizational abuse occur off-site and outside of regularly scheduled activities.  This type of contact outside of regularly scheduled activities may put church employees, volunteers, and our church at increased risk.  Our church strongly recommends that staff and volunteers do not have outside contact with unrelated children and youth from the church except in connection with other appropriate programs and activities which have similar guidelines to those contained in this policy.  However, if off-site contact is unavoidable, our church has determined that the following forms of outside contact are appropriate and inappropriate:

 Section: Overnight Activities/Camping

Overnight stays present unique risks to children, staff, and volunteers.  They often involve changing clothes, groups of all genders and different ages in a more intimate atmosphere than usual, more unstructured activities, and increased supervision demands for staff and volunteers.  During overnight and camping situations, the following procedures apply:

The basic premise of these guidelines is to extend our safe church practices into the digital world, especially where pastoral relationships and children and youth are concerned.  Regarding technology and social media, the following apply:

Social Media:  For many organizations, social networking sites have become the preferred method of communication.  In order to protect youth from abuse and staff and volunteers from false allegations, please follow these guidelines for organizations that allow electronic communication through social networking sites.

 

In the state of Illinois, anyone who is charged with the care of children, youth and/or vulnerable adults is a mandatory reporter. You are required to participate in the free, online training provided at https://mr.dcfstraining.org/ within three months of being hired as a staff member or volunteer and thereafter every three years as long as working with children and youth.  As a mandated reporter, you are required to call the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse Hotline at 888-241-8258. In addition, the incident should be reported to the designated church staff you report to (Director of Christian Education, Director of Youth Ministries, Director of Music Ministries) or clergy.

Misconduct by a clergy or staff member should be reported to the current Church Council Moderator.

If a person witnesses abuse, signs of neglect, or concerning behavior, they should document what they have seen and to whom they have reported it.

If a child, youth or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, call 911.

As a reporter of abuse, it is not the reporter’s job to determine whether the disclosure is credible or prove that abuse occurred.

All persons involved in reporting or documenting any alleged incident of abuse should hold information in confidence, subject only to such disclosures as required under church/organization procedures and as necessary to facilitate investigation of allegations of abuse and resolution of the situation.

The immediate response to alleged abuse at First Congregational Church will include removing the person from their position temporarily or indefinitely, reporting to the appropriate governmental agency and/or police, requiring the alleged abuser to not have contact with children or youth when at the facility, and/or requiring the person to have an escort when attending the church/organization. The organization will be in contact with its lawyer, insurance company and other related parties. Pastoral counseling will be offered to all parties involved. All of these responses/consequences will depend on the nature of the behavior.

A designated spokesperson will inform the congregation about the situation and communicate action items when appropriate.

If an abuse incident or allegation occurs at First Congregational Church, law enforcement may be in contact the church/organization. All leaders, employees and volunteers will cooperate fully with law enforcement or governmental agencies investigating allegations of injury or abuse.

The Senior Minister will be the designated spokesperson to handle all inquiries from news media. This spokesperson will work with the church/organization’s attorney and others to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of those involved.

Because our church is dedicated to maintaining zero tolerance for abuse, it is imperative that every staff member and volunteer at our church participate actively in the protection children, youth, adults, members, guests, volunteers and staff.  In the event that staff and/or volunteers observe any suspicious or inappropriate behaviors on the part of other staff or volunteers, it is their personal responsibility to immediately report their observations.  At our church, policies apply to everyone.

All reports of suspicious or inappropriate behavior with children or youth will be taken seriously.  Our church's procedures will be followed to ensure the rights of all those involved are protected.

 

In the event that a staff member/volunteer witnesses suspicious or inappropriate behaviors or policy violations by another staff member/volunteer, they are instructed to do the following;

After the internal review of the suspicious or inappropriate behaviors, or policy violations, determine if system changes are necessary, such as:

Reports of suspected or known abuse may be made confidentially to the following: the Senior Minister, Associate Minister, Director of Christian Education, Director of Youth Ministries, Director of Music Ministries.  Contact information may be found at www.fccge.org.

The thought that one child may sexually abuse another child does not occur to many people.  Unfortunately, abuse between peers occurs.  Child-to-Child sexual activity and sexualized behaviors often remain unreported in organizations because staff and volunteers are not comfortable documenting these situations, or may not know how.

In the event that a staff member or volunteer sees a child exhibit sexualized behaviors or suspects child-to-child sexual activity, the employee or volunteer is instructed to do the following:

In the event that a program staff director, clergy, or other church leadership receives a report of a child's sexualized behavior or child-to-child sexual activity, they should do the following:

After the internal review of the sexualized behavior or child-to-child sexual activity, the church will determine what can be done to support the parties involved and what can be done to prevent a recurrence, such as:

Thank you for reviewing our Safe Sanctuary Policy.  You will be guided to complete the necessary confirmation of receipt and review documentation, the Volunteer Disclosure documentation, Digital and Social Media Covenant and Emergency Procedures online training.

This updated policy was approved by the FCCGE Church Council January 2025.