Maple Grove United Methodist Church
SAFE SANCTUARY POLICY
(Revised October, 2025)
The congregation of Maple Grove United Methodist Church is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all children, youth, vulnerable adults, employees, and volunteers who participate in ministries and activities sponsored by the church. The following policy statements reflect our congregation’s commitment to preserving this church as a holy place of safety and protection for all who would enter and as a place in which all people can experience the love of God through relationships with others.
1. No adult who has been convicted of child abuse (whether sexual, physical, or emotional) shall volunteer or be employed to work with children or youth in any church-sponsored activity.
2. Adult survivors of child abuse need the love and support of our congregation. Any adult survivor who desires to volunteer or be employed in some capacity to work with youth is encouraged and invited to discuss their willingness with our church’s Pastor before accepting an assignment, or at any time during that assignment.
3. All adult volunteers involved with the children or youth of our church must have been members of our congregation for at least six months before beginning a volunteer assignment.
4. Two adults (not from the same family) shall staff the nursery and classrooms of children and youth at all times. At no time shall these areas be staffed only by youth. Our church will adhere to this “two-adult rule” at all times, so that no adult is ever alone with a child or youth.
5. Adult employees and volunteers with children and youth shall attend regular training and educational events provided by the church to remain informed of church policies and state laws regarding child abuse.
6. Adult employees and volunteers shall immediately report to the church’s Pastor and the Chairperson of the church’s Staff/Parish Relations Committee (or the Chairperson of the church’s Safe Sanctuary Committee) any behavior that seems abusive or inappropriate.
7. Paid employees and volunteers working with children and youth agree to adhere to teaching Christian principles as contained in the tenants and polity of the United Methodist Church.
8. The doors of children and youth Sunday School classrooms shall remain open at all times unless the door has a window. It is the responsibility of the Sunday School Superintendent to make periodic, unannounced visits to these classrooms when occupied.
9. During worship services and other events, when children and youth are being cared for in the nursery and classroom areas by two or more adults, all outside doors to the Fellowship Hall shall remain locked for security.
10. A phone shall be available in the kitchen and nursery areas for use by staff and volunteers. Emergency telephone numbers shall be clearly posted for use in the event of an emergency.
11. All adults (whether paid staff or volunteer) that work with children and/or youth, shall submit to a criminal background check and will sign and comply with our church’s Safe Sanctuary Policy. Furthermore, all paid staff and volunteers agree to adhere to the tenants and policy of the United Methodist Church when teaching our children and/or youth.
12. It is our intention to maintain our facilities, programs, leadership, and staffing so that persons of all ages may safely participate in all church activities.
13. The church Trustees shall maintain adequate insurance to protect persons and the church from liability claims.
14. All parties that request use of church facilities must agree to abide by this policy and sign an acknowledgement of receipt of same. Otherwise, use of the church facilities will be denied.
15. We shall seek the cooperation and support of every member and friend as well as all church groups in achieving the goal of making Maple Grove United Methodist Church a safe place for all persons.
16. The pastor or the Smoky Mountain District Superintendent of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church shall be the sole official spokesperson for the congregation in the event of a crisis situation.
17. This policy shall be reviewed at least annually. Minimum standards set by the Western North Carolina (WNC) Annual Conference, the Smoky Mountain District of the WNC, and the state of North Carolina shall be met or exceeded.