Weekly Greeting - May 8, 2026

Several weeks ago about 30 of us gathered in the Banquet Hall after church for Safe Spaces training.                                                                                                                                                                      

Most of you have already heard the words “Safe Spaces” in some context.  Jen McQuiston, the Chair of our Safe Spaces team spoke in worship several months ago, and as we get closer to summer and Vacation Bible School, you will likely hear more about Safe Spaces training. 

About 30 years ago, the United Methodist Church began in earnest to adopt and enforce a broad set of standards that would help local UMCs ensure that youth, children, and vulnerable adults would be safe from abuse and neglect in all of our activities and programs.  Safe Spaces is Bethlehem UMCs particular set of standards for protecting vulnerable people.  It is a covenant that we make with God, with each other, with vulnerable people among us, with anyone who entrusts their children and youth to us. 

Even if you do not currently work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults or lead a team that does, we still encourage you to participate in Safe Spaces training.  While the in-person training has already concluded, we have contracted with an organization called Safe Gatherings to provide online training.  Safe Gatherings says that this training takes roughly two hours to complete.  It also includes a background check.  The more eyes and ears we have in our congregation that is attuned to child and youth safety and well-being, the safer our church is for our community.

If you are interested in participating in Safe Gatherings training, please contact Ron Whitler at rwhitler@bethlehemumc.com and he will send you an invitation link.

Grateful for the chance to serve all of God’s children with you,

Mary Beth‍ ‍

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