A couple Sundays ago we held our annual Keeping CMC Safe themed worship service, which served as the yearly (re)training for the congregation. If you missed it, you will have the opportunity to complete the training on our website. It is our goal to have 100% of the congregation trained in abuse prevention. 

At Columbus Mennonite Church, our commitment to safety is rooted in our understanding of community, justice, and care for the most vulnerable among us. Our abuse prevention program is not just a formality, it is an expression of our values. That's why we ask everyone in our congregation to complete our abuse prevention training, not just those working directly with children.

But why would someone who never steps into a Sunday School classroom or the nursery need to take the training? The simple answer is that safety is a community responsibility. Abuse prevention works best when everyone understands what healthy boundaries look like and feels empowered to notice and respond when something isn’t quite right. This contributes to a culture of accountability and trust. We want everyone to be on the same page about what safety looks like and how we care for one another, especially across generations.

Our goal is not to burden people with extra requirements, but to cultivate a community where people of all ages can grow in faith without fear. 

And if you are someone who feels a nudge toward working with children or youth, we invite you to consider stepping into that role. We’re always looking for more volunteers, and your presence could make a real difference. We have a few people stepping back from helping with the nursery in the coming months, so we are especially in need of new people for that. And soon we will be looking for more people to help with VBS, Sunday School, and other fun opportunities.

Not only are these programs essential for the faith formation of our youngest members, they’re also full of laughter, curiosity, and deep, surprising moments of connection. If you talk to any of our current volunteers, I would guess all of them have at least one story of these kinds of meaningful moments.

So whether you’re already involved, considering jumping in, or simply want to be part of a church that takes safety seriously, thank you for being part of this work.