Immanuel Woden Lutheran is committed to providing a safe church environment for children and young people.
We acknowledge that children are a precious gift from God, with special vulnerabilities, that they require nourishment and nurture in their spiritual development and that they are to be protected from all forms of abuse.
We also affirm a zero tolerance for child abuse and that all members have an important responsibility to care for children and to keep them safe. The way we care for children reflects our genuineness of faith. It is also a reflection of God's love and his divine protection.
We are committed to maintaining the following standards:
- Our culture, leadership and governance are child safe;
- We value, respect and listen to children;
- We include families;
- We respect and welcome children with diverse needs;
- Our people are safe, supported and informed;
- Our complaints system is child-focused;
- Our people understand child safety;
- Our risk management has a child safety focus;
- We regularly review our child safety progress; and
- Our policies and procedures are child safe.
As part of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA), our congregation follows the LCA Safe Church process in appointing ministry team members. This includes:
- completing an application form
- providing the names of two referees on the application form
- providing evidence of a current ACT Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) card
An essential part of being a team member is a willingness to complete LCA Safe Church training (the cost of which is covered by the congregation).
Parents of children and young people are able to attend children’s activities to support their child, without having completed the above requirements.
For more information, contact the Safe Church Officers on safechurch@immanuellutheran.org.au, the Church Office on 02 6282 1195, or the congregation chair on chair@immanuellutheran.org.au.
