Sorry for the confusion!  The date is corrected below:

Please join us for our upcoming Children's Ministry Meeting on Thursday, October 12, 2017! 

This meeting is open to anyone working with children, youth, and families who would like to network, exchange ideas, or just get out of your office for a little while!  While we only meet quarterly, I try to use your time efficiently by making the most of our time together.  Brunch will be provided along with some new curriculum samples.  I encourage everyone to bring a favorite curriculum that they are using to share. 

We will also spend some time to discuss any questions you may have with the new RTC Child, Youth, and Vulnerable Adult Safety Policy and "Trusted con Confianza" trainings.  I will present the steps (below) for policy compliance and can answer any questions you may have regarding implementing the policy. 

Quarterly Capital District Children's Ministry Meeting
Thursday, October 12, 2017 
10:00am -12:00pm

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

Please RSVP if you are planning to attend.



"Everywhere, true elders will appear within the human community.  Neighborhood by neighborhood, they will build bridges across the chasms of ignorance and intolerance that separate us.  Thus they will take their rightful place among the young and once again define the terms of the passage into adulthood.  The children will be given a way to reach adulthood and the spirit of nature will be enriched by a fully human maturity.  The ancient dreams of those who have gone before will be empowered in the councils with such visionary insight that the people will survive.  So be it." 
-Steven Foster, Prayers for a Thousand Years

The weight of the world is heavy now for many of us and coming up with appropriate words can be difficult.  
If you haven't already seen Melanie Gordon's blog responding to traumatic events and how to address them with children, please see the link below for some insight and a wonderful list of resources to aid in doing so: 

safety trusted logo
Keeping our children, youth, and vulnerable adults safe
 
Trusted con Confianza
Rio Texas Safety Policy Certification
 
We are excited to announce the new Child, Youth, Vulnerable Adult Safety Policy Certification process for the Rio Texas Conference: Trusted con Confianza
 
This certification process is part of the new Rio Texas Conference child, youth, and vulnerable adults safety policy that will go into effect June 2018. Many churches are already engaged in this important work- Thank-you!
 
This new certification process ensures that persons in your church will be Trusted (trained, referenced, screened, and tested)  as they work in ministry with children, youth, and vulnerable adults.
 
The certification requires three steps:
 
Step One
Churches and Individuals register with Safe Gatherings ( safegatherings.com )
Churches set up their accounts so they can track persons in their congregation. Individuals fill out an application and Safe Gatherings goes to work processing the background check and reaching out to the applicant's designated references. Note: Individuals should make sure to alert their references that they will receive an e-mail from Safe Gatherings. The reference will take 2-3 minutes of their time and is an essential part of the certification process.
 
Step Two
Individuals complete Safe Gatherings online training
This is approximately an hour long presentation of information on safety guidelines and best practices. Persons will take a test at the end of this training.
 
Step Three
Individuals attend a Trusted con Confianza Training
This is a 2-3 hour interactive training that can be taken online via a webinar or in person via a scheduled workshop. This training can be taken as 3 modules (1 hour each) or can be taken together (2 hours each). For training dates and times, check out: riotexas.org/safetrainings .
 
For more information please visit: riotexas.org/safe or e-mail Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen at
tcampen@riotexas.org
 
safety trusted logo
The Capital District will be hosting it's first "Trusted con Confianza" in person training with Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen during the Rethink Leadership Conference in Austin on January 27, 2018.  

This workshop will be held during the afternoon sessions, 1:30-3:30pm, look for more information and registration coming soon!



Volunteer Opportunities for Your Community

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 when you think how the simplicity of 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, please contact  martha@umcad.org  for materials. 

-For more information or questions:  education-connection.org │ 512-813-5918

 


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:
www.capitaldistrict.umc.org/safe-sanctuaries 


 

Healthy Churches: Ending Family Violence


On September 29-30, 2017 FaithTrust Institute and InFaith Community Foundation are offering a groundbreaking training to infuse faith communities with the tools and knowledge they need to address domestic violence, child abuse and other forms of relationship violence. "Safe and Healthy Churches: Ending Family Violence" Training focuses on educating a team within each church community, to create a core leadership with a shared mission of preventing violence, supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.
The training will also address issues particular to individuals serving in leadership roles, including four break-out sessions that focus on:
  • Domestic Violence Response: Pastoral Care
  • Child Abuse Prevention and Response
  • Healthy Teen Relationships

Doubletree Hotel 6505   North I-35 
Austin, TX, 78752

More information and free registration



Save the Date!
Son Days 3rd Annual Camp 2018!

JUNE 25 - JUNE 29, 2018

Open to children entering 3rd-6th grade

Crossroads Retreat Center

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, 
water fun, and bible study.  





Hero Central!
Lara Greene- FUMC

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Share your memories of VBS or summer camps!

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Godly Play of Central Texas is looking for an Austin Area Godly Play Quarterly Gatherings Organizer!

The Godly Play Gatherings Organizer would help find sites, set dates, and help get the word out about quarterly gatherings.  If you are interested in learning more, please call Pastor Carmen Retzlaff at (512) 894-0155 or message her here.

 
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Capital District UMC Children's Ministry Leaders

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