Challenges and Opportunities: Safe Church Policy and Sex Offenders Church leaders and clergy are invited to this workshop focused on one of the major issues facing our churches today. Don Clark, UCC General Counsel and Martin Kafka, MD will speak to the concerns faced by congregations ministering with sex offenders as members.
Morning Session led by Don Clark Safe Church Fundamentals Elements of Safe Church Policy Appropriate Use of References, Background Checks, Sex Offender Registries Advanced Topics in Safe Church Policy: Convicted Sex Offenders as Congregants No matter who you are and where you are in life’s journey, you are welcome here. How does your church extend an extravagant welcome, while at the same time fulfill its obligation to make church a safe place for all? Insurance coverage for the acts of those previously adjudicated of intentionally committing sexual acts.
Afternoon Session led by Martin Kafka Putting a Human Face on the Sexual Offender Mr. Marty will introduce and discuss why men are vulnerable to commit sexual offenses and what specific psychiatric disorders and psychological symptoms are associated with this vulnerability. There will be a 15 minute Q&A as well.
Small Group Conversations Liz Magill, Pastor, Worcester Fellowship; Ellie Richardson, Associate Conference Minister for Lay and Clergy Leadership Development, and Mike Rich, Attorney, will moderate topically-focused small groups discussions. Donald Clark— General Counsel, UCC He was a partner in two of the city's largest law firms and then managed his own firm before assuming his role with the UCC almost 10 years ago. Clark is also the chair of the Board of Trustees for UCC-related Chicago Theological Seminary.
May 31, 2014 9:00 am—2:30 pm
Martin Kafka, MD Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Mr. Marty has been evaluating, treating and researching sexual offending and sexually addictive behaviors for 25 years.
$35—includes lunch Location: Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center Massachusetts Conference One Badger Road, Framingham, MA Please Register Online: https://macucc-reg.brtapp.com/SafeChurchMay2014 Questions:
Andrea Bellarosa—
[email protected] (508) 875-5233 ext. 230
Endorsed by the Clergy Leadership Council