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Child, Youth, and Vulnerable Adult Safety Policy

If you haven't already heard the Safety Policy update from Annual Conference:  the Child, Youth, and Vulnerable Adult Safety Policy passed and is in a year of preparations for implementation.  Local churches, district events and conference events have until close of Annual Conference 2018 to have a policy that is in compliance.  

This is an answer to prayers for many, to have safe places for children.  For others, this policy may seem challenging to implement at first. But by truly living into the policy as soon as possible, it is more easily seen what changes a local church may need to make and then address your own safety policy accordingly.

Running children's programs this summer proved many unique situations where a more conscious attitude of logistics and safety were at the forefront.  It was frustrating at times when decisions had to be made for overall safety instead of just what is easiest or what we have done in the past. What has proven most helpful for me is when situations arise is to immediately discuss with the other leaders what breeches of policy or changes need to be made in the moment and throughout the process. We are all challenged to be aware that it is in those difficult moments when we must be accountable and diligent in action as in word.  

More information can be found at the website link below:









By volunteering 30 minutes a week in 2 - 15 minute sessions of 1:1 reading, you can help solve one of the largest problems in the Greater Austin area - school dropout rates. Research shows that children not reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop out of school. Join the movement to change this trend by becoming a Literacy Partner or Mentor in one of the many participating elementary schools in the Greater Austin area.


Education Connection is now working within 10 Austin area school districts. Volunteer needs are greatest in Del Valle, Manor, Pflugerville, and Hays Districts.  It's amazing how reading with early elementary age children can be so beneficial to change lives and the world!  

If your church would like to do a push for volunteers, we can get some promotional cards and a banner to your church for your promotion Sunday, contact martha@umcad.org for materials. 


  Ready to take action?
-Make a 30 minute - 1 hour weekly commitment to serve from October - May.
-Register now at education-connection.org for the district/school and training of your choice.
-Begin recruiting your friends, neighbors, and co-workers to join us!
-For more information or questions:  education-connection.org │ 512-813-5918

Join the discussion on Facebook!

Capital District UMC Children's Ministry Leaders

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Online Training for Child Abuse Prevention

Additional charge for subsequent online trainings. 

Child Abuse Prevention training is required annually for those working with children and youth within our conference.  Our district has set up an online training using Stewards of Children.  When we originally signed up to use the online system, the program offered free additional training modules for subsequent trainings.  The company now charges $5 for each additional module that the participant would like to view.  

Please let the Capital District know if you would like assistance for your trainings, also the in person trainings are still FREE and they can present on any module after the participants have taken the first training: Stewards of Children. 

More info:


 
Back to School 
Outreach Opportunity
 
The Good Neighbor Project is looking for sponsors to help children with their school supplies or to donate supplies or money to their program that provides services for a low income/Section 8 apartment complexes in Austin.

Please contact Jessy Napier for more information about how you or your church can help:

 


Share your memories of VBS or summer camps!

&
 

Son Days Camp 2018!

JUNE 25 - JUNE 29, 2018
Open to children entering 3rd-6th grade

CROSSROADS RETREAT CENTER

Capital District's 2nd annual Son Days Camp for children entering 3-6th grade brought children and volunteers from 8 Austin area churches and still has room for more next year! Son Days Camp meets the last full week of June at Crossroads Retreat Center in Caldwell, Texas.  Crossroads is set apart in the serene (sandy!) woods of east Texas and has a great outdoor chapel, indoor chapel, several bunk filled cabins, dining hall and activity center.  The many amenities also include a ropes course, sport field and volleyball court.  Children spend their days in rotations learning and participating in global and local ministries, arts and crafts, making delicious desserts and bible study.  Our theme this year was, "Kids Can Make Peace".  Children heard from many voices alternate ways of communication in difficult situations and how to make inner peace with Jesus so we can change the world!





Quarterly Children's Ministry Meeting
Thursday; October 14, 2017 
10:00 am

Capital District UMC Office
1221 W. Ben White Blvd. Ste. 201A
Austin, Tx 78704

Martha Calhoun
Children's Ministry Coordinator
Capital District UMC
*Please note updated email address