https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 19 Apr 2024 05:49:21 +0000 Mon, 11 Sep 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/listening-circles-invaluable-tool-our Last summer a small group of staff were trained in Restorative Practices by Anne Martin and the late Bruce Schenk from the Shalem Mental Health Network.  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/listening-circles-invaluable-tool-our Mon, 11 Sep 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/understanding-trauma-church Here's the church, and here's the steeple Open the doors and see all the people. Close the doors and listen to them pray, Open the doors and they all walk away. Becky Jones https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/understanding-trauma-church Tue, 04 Jul 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/restorative-practices-what-are-they-why Why Restorative Practices Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/restorative-practices-what-are-they-why Wed, 03 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/becoming-restorative-congregation On March 24th-25th (a Friday/Saturday), Congregational Ministries will offer a two-day training in Restorative Practice for Faith Communities. This training will be held at the CRCNA offices (3475 Mainway) in Burlington, Ontario. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/becoming-restorative-congregation Thu, 26 Jan 2023 14:03:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/10-things-remember-when-your-child-suicidal Having a child with suicidal ideations is a horrible experience. I’m not a mental health professional, and I can only speak from our family’s experience. But if my experience can help, then I want to share it. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/10-things-remember-when-your-child-suicidal Thu, 19 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/safe-church-mini-grants-2022 Safe Church is excited to announce that once again, we are offering mini-grants! Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/safe-church-mini-grants-2022 Tue, 11 Jan 2022 00:42:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-clergy-ministry-leaders/becoming-trauma-informed-church “But I don’t feel safe.” Tara Boer https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-clergy-ministry-leaders/becoming-trauma-informed-church Tue, 20 Apr 2021 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/rugged-relationships-and-restorative In our society of increasingly complex webs of relationships, systems of governments and institutions -- shalom, or the way things are supposed to be -- seems increasingly more challenging to envision. There has never been as much history as there is in the present. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/rugged-relationships-and-restorative Thu, 15 Apr 2021 18:36:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/sos-part-3-my-journey-recognizing-remembering-and This story is part of Safe Church Ministry's SOS series. In this post, an anonymous CRC congregant shares his first blog of his journey of recognizing, remembering, and processing the a Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/sos-part-3-my-journey-recognizing-remembering-and Wed, 14 Apr 2021 17:01:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-teams/what-ministry-without-volunteers-celebrating Safe Church has a very significant role in the CRCNA: to equip congregations in abuse awareness, prevention, and response. The reality is, this would not be achievable if it was up to denominational staff alone. This job is very large. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-teams/what-ministry-without-volunteers-celebrating Mon, 29 Mar 2021 15:16:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/domestic-abuse/unmute-impact-pandemic-gender-based-violence This past weekend, 58 people attended the 22nd annual Inter-Classis Safe Church Conference hosted by the Classis Huron Safe Church Committee. The conference is held each year on the first Saturday in March, usually at Waterloo CRC. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/domestic-abuse/unmute-impact-pandemic-gender-based-violence Mon, 08 Mar 2021 11:10:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/new-director-amanda-benckhuysen-why I was born and raised in Canada, though I’m currently living in Grand Rapids. I’m married (to a pastor) and have two teenage daughters, a freshman in high school and a freshman in college. In my spare time I like to read, hike, bike, travel, and kayak (in the summer). I have been s Dr. Amanda Benckhuysen https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/new-director-amanda-benckhuysen-why Mon, 08 Feb 2021 17:06:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/criminal-sexual-history/fine-balance-creating-safe-space-all A Christian Reformed Church in Ontario, Canada, was informed of a congregant being charged with the possession of child pornography and child abuse. While awaiting trial, the alleged offender wanted to attend church with his family, as he had always done. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/criminal-sexual-history/fine-balance-creating-safe-space-all Mon, 01 Feb 2021 18:01:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/welcoming-dr-amanda-benkhuysen Safe Church Ministry is excited to welcome our newly appointed Director! Dr. Amanda Benckhuysen will begin her new position at the end of January 2021. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/welcoming-dr-amanda-benkhuysen Fri, 18 Dec 2020 18:29:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-teams/safe-church-mini-grants-available-2021 Safe Church is excited to announce that once again we are offering mini-grants for safe church teams of classes! This year we anticipate events, training, or in-person gatherings that were often supported by grants will look very differently than in years past. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-teams/safe-church-mini-grants-available-2021 Mon, 23 Nov 2020 13:49:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/support-safe-church-ministry-2020 We appreciate all of the ways that you support Safe Church Ministry in your congregation, raising awareness and promoting effective abuse prevention and response. Another way to support Safe Church is financially. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/support-safe-church-ministry-2020 Thu, 19 Nov 2020 17:51:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/gender-concerns/16-days-activism-safe-church-and-gender-based Note: #16daysofactivism took place November 25 to December 10th, 2020. While our campaign is now over, the conversation is far from done. Included in this article are numerous resources to access related to gender based violence.  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/gender-concerns/16-days-activism-safe-church-and-gender-based Wed, 18 Nov 2020 17:45:06 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/domestic-abuse/domestic-violence-awareness-month-webinar-series On November 25th many people choose to wear purple as a sign of solidarity against gender based violence. Gender-based violence is the violation of the human rights of a woman and can take on various forms: physical harm, sexual harm, psychological, economic harm or suffering to women. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/domestic-abuse/domestic-violence-awareness-month-webinar-series Wed, 04 Nov 2020 14:49:01 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/why-suicide September is Suicide Awareness Month. The World Health organization has reported that someone dies by suicide every 40 seconds. Are we creating safe spaces to talk about suicide? Are we creating safe spaces that make room for listening and understanding? Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/why-suicide Thu, 17 Sep 2020 12:53:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/reflecting-adverse-childhood-experiences-and-trauma It seems safe to boldly state that there is not a local church in the Christian Reformed denomination or a church anywhere that does not have a worshipper who has experienced trauma. The mission of Safe Church Ministry is to Equip Congregations in Abuse Awareness, Prevention, and Response.&n Sherry Fakkema https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/reflecting-adverse-childhood-experiences-and-trauma Tue, 08 Sep 2020 21:55:20 +0000