BEING A SANCTUARY

“Sanctuary” is a word with several related meanings. It means a holy place where God is worshiped. It also means a safe place for anyone who claims God’s protection. Tree of Life Church has always been a place where God is worshiped. We have now taken steps to make sure the second definition is also true. In August, after several months of work by a dedicated task force led by Claire Jones, the session adopted a new Safe Church Policy which outlines policies and procedures designed to make our church a safe and welcoming place for all who come here, especially for children and for vulnerable adults. As a start to implementing that policy, Claire led a training session helping church leaders, teachers and volunteers to think about how we will live that policy out in practice as we set appropriate boundaries for behavior. The group used case studies of situations that in some cases have actually happened in our church and its programs to help us think about what it means to be a safe church – a sanctuary – in practice.

Recent revelations of abuse and misconduct that have rocked the Catholic church in Pennsylvania make it clear why such policies are important. Shocking as those stories are, it is important to realize that Presbyterian churches have not been immune to abuse and misconduct either. These things can happen anywhere that sinful people are found and communities of trust like the church are particularly vulnerable to abuse.

Most of the problems that arise in our relationships, though, are not horrendous examples of outright abuse. They are small steps over the boundaries that make people feel safe and accepted – an unwanted hug, a word or a name that belittles someone, pulling the strings of power inappropriately to get what you want. They are what happens when you treat anyone with a lack of respect, with less than their full value as a child of God.

The goal of our Safe Church policy and practice is not to provide a legalistic framework of prescriptions and penalties. It is to create a community of God’s shalom, where all human relationships are held in the light of God’s love and grace and where each person, no matter what their age,gender, race or ability, is treated with respect as God’s beloved, made in God’s image. May Tree of Life Church be just such a community in the years to come.

May Christ’s Peace be with you!
Pam McShane, Pastor, Tree of Life Church