Sisters and Brothers All: Greetings!

Christ is risen!

Since medieval times...

...church buildings and religious institutions have been recognized as places of sanctuary. "Safe" places, if you will.

Sadly, within our congregations and among the faithful, we are learning that the faith community may not always be a safe place for those who are vulnerable, be they children, youth or adults. Much too often stories reported by the media cause pain among our church families and a huge loss of credibility and perceived integrity among believers and non-believers, the secular and the cynical. There are times and places... all too many of both... when our congregations have not been safe places.

We are saddened deeply to learn of these places and times. It becomes more traumatic and especially personal when a community in which we live might be such place. "It just can't happen here," we say.

Perhaps we should not be so surprised. For years we have prepared for worship with words that confess our shared broken-ness: "We are in bondage to sin and we cannot free ourselves." This truth about ourselves is one we must never forget.

A review of the Ten Commandments shows three commandments that concern our relationship with God and seven that concern our relationships with family and community. In six of these seven, we should "so fear and love God" (to borrow the words of Luther), that we do not make victims of others at any time and for any reason.

Victims? Perhaps we have not thought of it that way. But then, what else is it when falsehood, adultery, stealing and coveting are involved? All such activities create victims! They all deal with the abuse of others personally, physically, verbally or emotionally.

Working to have our society, our communities, our congregations and our families become safe places is an ongoing challenge for us. Abuse of others takes many shapes. It can be... and perhaps more often is... verbal as well as physical. Questions we should always be asking is this: "Are my family, my congregation, my work place and my community safe and comfortable environments... emotionally and physically... in which to live and work? If not, what role do I play in making it what it is? What can I do to improve these places?"

Naturally, the answers to the questions and the effects we can have are different in each of the mentioned environments. Nevertheless, it should be clear that we need to be more intentional about these things than we have been in the past. This is particularly true for those called to be leaders in our congregations, rostered or otherwise.

Our insurance companies are requiring us to have policies and practices in place aimed toward defining and preventing sexual harassment and misconduct. Insurance coverage for such an incident may not be available for congregations that do not have such policies and statements. In addition, background checks are being asked for all those who are leaders, professional or volunteer, in our synod and congregations. This is particularly so for workers with children and youth.

Sample policies and practices are being supplied by our insurance carriers, and resources are suggested for our follow through on background checks. If you have not received them in your congregation, call our synod office and we shall be happy to send copies. Copies were also distributed to pastors attending the recent Bishop's Convocation in Ocean City. Not only are we expected to have such policies, but it is important that there be an annual read through and review with all staff, professional and volunteer. Moreover, they provide strong teaching opportunities for all in our congregations.

"Has it come to this?" you ask. I believe so. More importantly, I would like to believe that it comes to this not because our insurance carriers believe it to be necessary, but because we are committed to do everything possible to make our communities and our congregations safe places for people. It is not the insurance companies that expect it of us, but the Gospel!

The answer is yes if you are looking for a job! Professionals are invited to the Capitol Hill Career Group every Monday evening (except holidays) 7:00 - 8:30 pm. At the First Trinity Lutheran Church at the corner of 4^th and E Streets, NW. This is one block from the Red Line, Judiciary Square, if you come on the DC Courts side. Ring the bell at the left side, front of the church. We'll buzz you in; come two flights up to the library.

Come for jobs, contact, support, job-search skills, and new friends. Come if you are job hunting or want to change jobs. Come just ot visit and meet the group. Call Ellie Wegener at 202.628.2919 at the Employment Support Center for more information.

…to come to the July meeting on the first Thursday of July to hear about the Papacy and the recent changes in the Catholic Church, presented by Rev. Scott Ickert, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Arlington. Call 301.261.1750 for more information.

The Lutheran Lay Fellowship is a unique social organization that has met since 1936 for lunches and exciting programs. It is the only organization that brings together clergy and laity of all Lutheran denominations regularly. It also has started some of the Lutheran institutions that we take for granted; the Fellowship Square Foundation, Luther Institute, three scholarship funds, and it manages the Lay School of Theology.