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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260929T120000
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DTSTAMP:20260828T193038Z
CREATED:20260828T190950Z
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UID:10002027-1790683200-1790686800@michiganumc.org
SUMMARY:Protection Policy Basics Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Every church should have a clear\, current Protection Policy to help create a safe environment for children\, youth\, and vulnerable people. But where do you start—and what should your policy include? \nJoin Rev. Kathy Pittenger\, Associate Director of Faith Formation and Leadership Development for the Michigan Conference\, for a free\, 60-minute Protection Policy Basics Workshop. This workshop provides an overview of the fundamentals of a Protection Policy\, also known as a Safe Sanctuaries or Child/Youth Safety Policy\, and is designed to help church leaders feel equipped to write or revise their church’s current policy. \nThe workshop will explore: \n\nWhat is a Protection Policy?\nWhy is a Protection Policy important?\nWho should be involved in creating the policy?\nWhat should a Protection Policy include?\nScreening and training resources\nBest practices for churches\nWhat to do if an incident occurs\n\nWho should attend?\nThis workshop is appropriate for clergy\, trustees\, Staff-Parish Relations Committee members\, children\, youth and family ministry leaders\, Sunday school coordinators\, and anyone responsible for\, or interested in\, abuse prevention policies at their church. \nWhen: September 29\, 2026\, at 12 p.m. or 7 p.m. (Eastern)\nWhere: Zoom\nCost: Free\nPresenter: Rev. Kathy Pittenger \nThe same content will be presented at both sessions\, so choose the time that works best for you. The Zoom link will be provided after registration. \nThis workshop is not a training event. Instead\, it is an opportunity to gain a foundational understanding of Protection Policies and the key elements churches should consider when developing or updating their policies. Register now!
URL:https://michiganumc.org/event/policy-protection-basics-workshop/2026-09-29/1/
LOCATION:Via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Area Event,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Protection-Policy.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260929T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260929T193000
DTSTAMP:20260831T165638Z
CREATED:20260831T164647Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260831T165638Z
UID:10002029-1790706600-1790710200@michiganumc.org
SUMMARY:How healthy is your church structure?
DESCRIPTION:Give Your Church’s Governance Structure an Annual Check-Up \nAs the year comes to a close\, churches naturally begin reviewing budgets\, celebrating ministry accomplishments\, evaluating goals\, and planning for the future. These annual practices help congregations remain healthy and focused on their mission. But there’s one important area that often gets overlooked: \nYour church’s governance structure. \nThe end of the year is the perfect time to evaluate how well it is serving your ministry. \nThink about it this way. Most of us schedule an annual physical\, not because something is wrong\, but because we want to stay healthy. We catch small concerns before they become larger problems and make adjustments that improve our long-term well-being. \nThe same principle applies to church governance. \nIf your church uses the SAS (Simplified Accountable Structure) model\, then an Annual Review should be part of your yearly calendar. But whatever your structure\, this webinar provides an opportunity to ask important questions: \n\nAre our meetings focused on mission and vision?\nIs accountability clear and healthy?\nAre board members fulfilling the responsibilities?\nAre we empowering ministry or unintentionally creating bottlenecks?\nWhat adjustments would help us lead more effectively in the coming year?\n\nTo help churches answer these questions\, we invite pastors\, board members\, and church leaders to participate. This practical webinar will explore proven practices from churches using SAS and traditional church structures across our conference. Together we’ll examine common challenges\, celebrate what works well\, and identify simple improvements that can strengthen governance without adding unnecessary complexity. \nWhether your church adopted SAS or is using a traditional model\, this webinar serves as a valuable annual “wellness visit” for your leadership structure. \nHealthy governance doesn’t exist for its own sake—it creates the conditions for effective ministry\, stronger discipleship\, and greater faithfulness to Christ’s mission. As you prepare for another year of ministry\, we invite you to give your governance model the same thoughtful attention you give your finances\, facilities\, and ministry plans. \nA healthy church deserves healthy governance. \nRegister now!
URL:https://michiganumc.org/event/sas-checkup/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Greater Southwest District,Leadership,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SAS-Checkup-e1788195200912.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Greater Southwest District":MAILTO:mnordbrock@michiganumc.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260929T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260929T200000
DTSTAMP:20260828T193038Z
CREATED:20260828T190950Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260828T193038Z
UID:10002028-1790708400-1790712000@michiganumc.org
SUMMARY:Protection Policy Basics Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Every church should have a clear\, current Protection Policy to help create a safe environment for children\, youth\, and vulnerable people. But where do you start—and what should your policy include? \nJoin Rev. Kathy Pittenger\, Associate Director of Faith Formation and Leadership Development for the Michigan Conference\, for a free\, 60-minute Protection Policy Basics Workshop. This workshop provides an overview of the fundamentals of a Protection Policy\, also known as a Safe Sanctuaries or Child/Youth Safety Policy\, and is designed to help church leaders feel equipped to write or revise their church’s current policy. \nThe workshop will explore: \n\nWhat is a Protection Policy?\nWhy is a Protection Policy important?\nWho should be involved in creating the policy?\nWhat should a Protection Policy include?\nScreening and training resources\nBest practices for churches\nWhat to do if an incident occurs\n\nWho should attend?\nThis workshop is appropriate for clergy\, trustees\, Staff-Parish Relations Committee members\, children\, youth and family ministry leaders\, Sunday school coordinators\, and anyone responsible for\, or interested in\, abuse prevention policies at their church. \nWhen: September 29\, 2026\, at 12 p.m. or 7 p.m. (Eastern)\nWhere: Zoom\nCost: Free\nPresenter: Rev. Kathy Pittenger \nThe same content will be presented at both sessions\, so choose the time that works best for you. The Zoom link will be provided after registration. \nThis workshop is not a training event. Instead\, it is an opportunity to gain a foundational understanding of Protection Policies and the key elements churches should consider when developing or updating their policies. Register now!
URL:https://michiganumc.org/event/policy-protection-basics-workshop/2026-09-29/2/
LOCATION:Via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Area Event,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Protection-Policy.png
END:VEVENT
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