Dove's Nest encourages faith communities to take time during April to consider the plight of abused children and find practical methods to end child abuse and neglect in the communities where they live, work, and worship. Dove's Nest has developed the following resources to assist congregations during Child Abuse Prevention Month 2017.
Nominate a Mennonite Church USA individual or church that did something courageous to keep children safe!
1. Send the name of the individual and/or church and its address to kathy [at] dovesnest.net with a short paragraph describing what this individual or church has done to keep children safe. Examples: Utilizing Circle of Grace in a new, creative way. Changing facilities to increase safety. Recognizing child abuse prevention in worship or Sunday school in a significant way. Leading the way in protection training in your community.
Contributed by Jennie Wintermote, MLS, Director of the Western District Resource Library
Talking about abuse prevention with young children is essential but often difficult, and even more so during a church worship service! Below are eight books that could serve as a children’s feature (or be adapted for use) at church. Please preview the books to determine what best fits your context and time frame. Not all books will be appropriate for all congregational settings. Be sure to encourage caregivers to continue the conversation with their children after church.
By Anna Groff
I highly recommend The Little Book of Restorative Justice for Sexual Abuse by Judah Oudshoorn, Michelle Jackett, and Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz. It is a short yet incredibly important book for all pastors and church leaders. It includes helpful definitions, process suggestions, and case studies. Following are four main points I took away after reading this book. Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, one of the authors, is restorative justice coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee U.S.
In November, the Schowalter Foundation awarded Dove's Nest with $3,000. This money will be used to create an online Circle of Grace module for teachers that include a Teacher’s Bureau feature, a blog, networking capabilities, and video. $1,500 of the $3,000 will be used for a school-wide Circle of Grace teacher training.
By Carol Rose
Many of us know “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” I once thought that meant I needed to love perfectly.
However, “love that is whole” is a better translation of the first-century concept than the words “perfect love.”
This shift frees me to ask: How does it work? How does love that is whole cast out fear?
Here’s a story from my life:
It starts with a marble, and with the church who knew me and knew what I was going through.
By Anna Groff
I encourage you to watch the movie Spotlight with your friends, small group or Sunday school class. Not only is it an incredible movie, but it can lead to eye-opening conversations.
Spotlight, which takes place beginning in 2001, shows a team at the Boston Globe investigate cases of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests in the Boston diocese.
By Marathana Prothro
Oh, the awkwardness of unsolicited hugs. Most parents have experienced uncomfortable—even dreaded—moments when our child refuses to hug or kiss someone who truly has the purest of intentions.
I think we too often cave to societal pressures to either avoid embarrassment or protect the feelings of others. Instead, we should empower children to trust and respect their own intuition and set their own boundaries.
By Brenda Yoder, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Speaker's Bureau Member
I came across a beautiful photo on my Instagram feed. It was lovely. Everything was propped and proportioned so meticulously. It had shoes and travel accessories laid out on a surface with a beautiful baby—about one year old, with a flat look on her face—lying on her back in a suitcase.
The symmetry and colors in the photo were stunning. The caption was great.
By Dove’s Nest Staff and Board Members
1. Ask your children how they felt about a new experience at school. Rather than simply asking “What did you do today?” ask “What was your favorite part? What are you most proud of? Did you ever feel unsafe?”
2. Inquire about your school's protection policy, especially if it is a private school. Encourage Christian schools to teach Circle of Grace, a Christian safe environment curriculum for kindergarten through twelfth grade.