Classis Abuse Response Team
Report to Classis Hamilton
January, 2005

Dear Classis Delegates,

Abuse Awareness Sunday
February 27, ‘05 is Abuse Awareness Sunday when the church recognizes that all forms of abuse affect their members individually or corporately as the body of Christ. This year's theme is:

Words: Building Up or Tearing Down 

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4 

We encourage each pastor to acknowledge this emotional abuse theme on or near Abuse Awareness Sunday. Each pastor will be given a copy of a bulletin insert at this classis meeting. This insert includes the above text plus a litany that can be used in the service. Bulletin covers with litany, bulletin inserts with litany, and other handouts are free materials that can ordered from the Abuse Prevention Office, (616) 224-0735. Each church was mailed a Resource Materials Order Form from the Abuse Prevention Office. The original suggested deadline for ordering materials was December 1, so it is important to get the order in as soon as possible. Even if a sermon is not prepared on abuse awareness, it would be appreciated if it was acknowledged in the service and the litany read responsively.  

Advisory Panel Training
On October 29 and 30, 40 people from 5 different Classes registered for the Abuse Response Advisory Panel training. The training was held at Hope CRC, Brantford and led by Beth Swagman, Director of Abuse Prevention. As a result of this training the Classis Hamilton Abuse Response Team now has 7 people qualified to serve on a Panel. In addition, Gina Mantel from Calvary (Flamborough) CRC hopes to join the team. She was also present at the Panel training workshop. Gina has been approved by her council and her name was submitted to the Nomination Committee for approval at this classis meeting. With Gina on the team, we will have 10 members of whom 8 have been trained to serve on a Panel. 

Classis Hamilton Abuse Response Team Pamphlet
Our new pamphlet is ready to be mailed to the churches for their display tables and racks. This pamphlet introduces the team, who we are, includes our mandate, the Advisory Panel process and a needs assessment check list. It will be updated when information changes. Each pastor will receive a copy of this pamphlet at the classis meeting (in the same envelope as the Abuse Awareness litany).

We as a team continue to covet your prayers for our work. We pray with you that our churches will always be safe places for the vulnerable among us.

In His Service,