https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Tue, 23 Apr 2024 14:20:32 +0000 Wed, 29 Jul 2020 19:35:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/emotional-psychological-spiritual-abuse/reflection-ok Last week Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spoke before the U.S. House of Representatives. As I listened to her well-articulated speech, I resonated with every word. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/emotional-psychological-spiritual-abuse/reflection-ok Wed, 29 Jul 2020 19:35:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/changes-safe-church-ministry "We can't be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/changes-safe-church-ministry Sun, 26 Apr 2020 00:09:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/post-christmas-reflection The incarnation is a source of ongoing wonder for me. It’s difficult for me to wrap my head around the very idea of God putting on human flesh. And the church is called Christ’s body, not just in a spiritual sense, but in an incarnational sense, a flesh and blood body. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/post-christmas-reflection Mon, 30 Dec 2019 01:10:17 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/pornography/protecting-innocence-digital-world On the morning of July 10, 2019, after years of seeking to bring to light the exposure and exploitation of children on the internet, Chris McKenna had his chance to testify before the US Senate Committee on the Judiciary.  The title of the hearing, Protecting Innocence in a Digital World, so Barb Cole https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/pornography/protecting-innocence-digital-world Wed, 17 Jul 2019 13:51:58 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/back-future-safe-church-synod-1994 In 1992, Synod adopted the report of the Committee to Study Physical, Emotional, and Sexual Abuse and also mandated the continuation of the committee’s work. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/back-future-safe-church-synod-1994 Tue, 21 May 2019 16:42:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/working-opposites Light and dark, evil and good, right and wrong, mercy and justice. These concepts work in opposites. How do we, the church, walk in the tension of the in-between space where we all live? Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/working-opposites Tue, 29 Jan 2019 14:06:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/general-worship/early-advent-reflection It may be a bit early for Advent. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/general-worship/early-advent-reflection Wed, 21 Nov 2018 18:51:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/metoo-and-churchtoo It seems almost daily that we hear the story of another influential person, a politician or celebrity, who has been exposed and faces allegations of sexual harassment or abuse. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/metoo-and-churchtoo Mon, 04 Dec 2017 17:22:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/general-worship/stories-no-longer-untold This quote is at the top of the page of OSU, Our Stories Untold: “There is no agony like having an untold story inside you.” - Zora Neale Hurston Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/general-worship/stories-no-longer-untold Tue, 23 May 2017 12:39:04 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/welcoming-eric-safe-church-team We are excited to welcome Eric Kas as the new Safe Church Associate! He is excited to partner with you all as we strive for safe spaces in our churches. Here are some words of introduction from Eric:  Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/welcoming-eric-safe-church-team Wed, 08 Mar 2017 19:27:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/gender-concerns/one-week-later-womens-march As I write this my mind travels back to one week ago, when I was busy making my sign to participate in the Women’s March at the state capital in Lansing, MI. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/gender-concerns/one-week-later-womens-march Tue, 31 Jan 2017 19:24:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/trauma-healing The effects of trauma can be devastating. I know. I know it from my own experience, and also from the countless stories of others. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/trauma-healing Tue, 03 Jan 2017 17:40:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/christmas-peace-here-and-now As I write this, I am preparing to head to the Chicago area, where I look forward to spending time with extended family for Christmas, including four beautiful grandchildren (ages 3 and under). I can hardly wait! Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/christmas-peace-here-and-now Fri, 23 Dec 2016 14:02:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-ministry-conference Safe Church Ministry held its third biennial and bi-national conference November 4-5, 2016. Over 50 people gathered in Grand Rapids (a lower number than in previous years, with only 8 Canadians who in the past have outnumbered U.S. participants). Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-ministry-conference Mon, 21 Nov 2016 21:12:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/partners-prevention-samaritan-safechurch We were absolutely thrilled to have Linda Crockett from Samaritan SafeChurch at our Safe Church Ministry Conference in November. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/partners-prevention-samaritan-safechurch Fri, 18 Nov 2016 14:42:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/whose-ministry The Office of Abuse Prevention was established by Synod in 1994, noting that, “We need a radical change in our thinking about relationships between men and women and between parents and children, and we need changes in church polity and practice. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/whose-ministry Tue, 15 Nov 2016 16:26:51 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/without-you-its-really-nothing Sometimes I grow weary in my Safe Church Ministry work. Maybe if we only focused on abuse awareness, the education part, the part that energizes me and that I love, that would be enough. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/without-you-its-really-nothing Mon, 12 Sep 2016 22:00:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/new-resources-and-conference-you Safe Church has recently updated its website to include even MORE resources for you! We believe that effective abuse prevention and response efforts are not possible without a critical awareness of the dynamics and impacts of abuse. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/new-resources-and-conference-you Mon, 12 Sep 2016 12:35:12 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-works-when-we-all-work-together-youre-invited Safe Church Ministry equips congregations in abuse awareness, prevention, and response. Obviously, two people in an office in Grand Rapids can’t provide all the education and awareness needed in over a thousand CRC congregations. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-works-when-we-all-work-together-youre-invited Tue, 16 Aug 2016 18:05:54 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/listening-our-elders-following-role-models-our-calling I had the wonderful privilege last week of attending the Sojourner’s Summit in Washington DC. It was inspiring to hear from so many amazing social justice activists who are really making a difference in the world. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/listening-our-elders-following-role-models-our-calling Tue, 28 Jun 2016 13:12:04 +0000