https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:00:44 +0000 Mon, 02 Nov 2020 12:53:58 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/bible-story-discussion-rape-tamar I remember years ago as an InterVarsity staff member, studying women in scripture with a group of students at Michigan State University. They were often amazed at the stories of women in the Bible. Though the majority had grown up in church, they hadn’t heard many of these stories. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/bible-story-discussion-rape-tamar Mon, 02 Nov 2020 12:53:58 +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/help-midst-trauma I sat looking at my computer, in a small online Bible study group, trying to maintain some community in this time of safe distancing, wondering how to respond to the question, “How are you doing?” Why did that seem like a loaded question? Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/help-midst-trauma Fri, 12 Jun 2020 16:47:22 +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/criminal-sexual-history/updates-safe-church-coordinators The recent meeting of the Classis Chatham Safe Church team was full of rich discussion, which helps everyone feel supported in this important ministry.  Yvonne Lammers https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/criminal-sexual-history/updates-safe-church-coordinators Wed, 17 Jul 2019 13:36:25 +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/responding-abuse-toolkit-denominational-position As the #MeToo movement continues to bring sexual abuse out of the darkness where it has been hidden, the impacts also affect the church. Many churches are requesting information about how to respond. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/responding-abuse-toolkit-denominational-position Tue, 22 May 2018 13:22:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/abuse-awareness-prevention-and Silence is no longer an option. In this watershed #MeToo moment, the Church must be ready to respond to sexual abuse. Active safe church ministry equips God’s people to respond in situations of abuse with understanding, compassion and justice that foster healing. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/abuse-awareness-prevention-and Tue, 30 Jan 2018 16:09:07 +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/child-abuse/church-may-not-be-easy-those-who-have-experienced Statistics about abuse, which are similar in churches and outside of churches, reveal that it’s very likely that every church community includes people who have experienced abuse; our congregations are filled with abuse survivors (whether we are aware of it or not). Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/church-may-not-be-easy-those-who-have-experienced Tue, 28 Nov 2017 14:38:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-teams/safe-church-team-members-whats-good-know What's good to know for a Safe Church Team Member: If you’ve wondered where to start, or where to go to learn more, this article is for you. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-teams/safe-church-team-members-whats-good-know Wed, 30 Aug 2017 17:55:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/fighting-darkness-sex-industry-and-church We, as the church, exist in the midst of a present darkness —  a struggle, not just flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, and powers in the spiritual realm. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/fighting-darkness-sex-industry-and-church Thu, 06 Jul 2017 13:55:42 +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/hope-sold Safe Church Ministry is thrilled to know about, and to let you know about, Hope for the Sold, an organization that works to end sexual exploitation, in part by offering Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/hope-sold Fri, 05 May 2017 15:09:45 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/judge-forced-resign-after-outrage-over-comments-sexual-assault The Canadian judicial system has shown support for those who have experienced Rape and Sexual Assault by recommending the removal of Judge Robin Camp, also known as the "knees together judge" for his comme Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/judge-forced-resign-after-outrage-over-comments-sexual-assault Tue, 14 Mar 2017 14:57:07 +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