Classis Abuse Response Team

Report to Classis Hamilton

May, 2005

Dear Classis Delegates,
 

Abuse Awareness Sunday:

February 27, was Abuse Awareness Sunday and the theme for this year was:
 

Words: Building Up or Tearing Down

We thank those pastors who acknowledged this emotional abuse theme. It is never too late to recognize that abuse exists and so we encourage pastors to prepare a sermon on this or any other abuse awareness theme. Sermon ideas and outlines, as well as bulletin covers and inserts with litanies, are all available from the CRCNA website at www.crcna.net. Just click on the little arrow beside the word Search and in the search box that appears, type (for example), abuse, or abuse sermons, or abuse litanies. You can then browse through the search results for the resources you desire. Note: When you do a search, you get 10 search results. For additional results, click on Next 10 in the lower right corner of the browser screen.

Advisory Panel Training:

Beth Swagman is looking at Sept 22-23 for the next multi-classis Abuse Response Team Panel Training for Ontario. She is trying to line up Grace CRC in Scarborough as there are several people coming from Ottawa and from Classis Quinte. 

Abuse Prevention Videos:
We have two very good 45 minute videos produced by the "Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence" which is an inter-religious educational ministry out of Seattle Washington. The first one is titled, "Hear Their Cries - Religious Responses to Child Abuse". The second one is titled, "Bless Our Children - Preventing Sexual Abuse". If you would like to borrow these videos, please call or email me.

Classis Huron Sponsored Workshop:

The Abuse Response Team was represented at the inter-classis workshop on March 5 held in Community CRC, Kitchener. There were several excellent workshops, among them. “Children Testifying in Court” exploring a child’s experience from the time of disclosure to testifying in court. The procedure and steps involved in the “Child Witness Programme” is now available from our Abuse Response Team website. Follow the link to the Abuse Response Team page from the Classis Hamilton website (www.classishamilton.ca).

In His Service,

John Gilson, Chairperson
Classis Hamilton Abuse Response Team
classishamilton@bfree.on.ca