Notes From My Knapsack
Opening Day for major league baseball is April 1st -- really, no foolin'! Some say the true first day of spring is the first "crack" of the bat down in Cincinnati, and never mind the robins.
Out at Evans Park, we hear the "ping" of aluminum bats as youth baseball gets underway. I have to admit that this particular sound will probably always grate a bit on my ear, and a part of me says "that's not real baseball." That's silly, of course, because the bases are still run, the pitchers still pitch, and the genuine imitation leather polystyrene laces on the gloves still glint as infielders chant "hey battah, battah, hey battah battah, swing." The ball is made with space age inner core material, but the grass is still green (where it's not brown) and the chalk lines are laid down with a chunka-chunka machine that rolls from the batter's box to first base and on out to infinity.
So, some things change, some things stay the same, and we have to decide what's the core meaning that doesn't change: sportsmanship, practice, hustle, teamwork. With our 135th anniversary celebration on Palm Sunday, we looked at the original communion service glinting behind the newer plates and trays; the flagon, the single chalice, the two bread trays telling their own story as we shared some of our more recent tales, including Gabriella's and Autumn's as they were dedicated by their families during the service. Some new things we celebrate -- new babies, new ways of doing things -- and some we don't, like aluminum bats.
We'd never toss aside that old communion set, but I doubt that anyone during the last 100 years has missed sipping communion from a common cup. That change was one everyone agreed was good! As Doris Cordray affirmed after church, David Ford is playing only our third organ, "but there was some discussion over that first one." And there will be no end to our discussions over what to play on our harmoniums, our organs, or our electronic MIDI-enabled sythesizers.
But there was something so fitting when a battle-scarred old piano migrated from the Mason's former home to the parsonage/ed building on our celebration weekend. From the Clays to the Slaters to the Masons (and some stops before the Clays?), and now as a resource for Sunday School classes, something quite old has a continuing value.
Not as an artifact, but as a tool for ministry to share the Good News of God's Love. May we all find newness of life this Easter season, from Romans 6:4 to even the "ping" of a line drive deep to right field!
In Grace and Peace, Pastor Jeff
Wednesday, March 27, 2002
Tuesday, March 26, 2002
. . . and when the editor said, "i like it, now cut 265 wds.," here's what Joyce's genius for editing accomplished:
Child Safety and Abuse
Reader's Write -- Newark Advocate
Child safety and child abuse by responsible adults is a topic suddenly splashed across the news. The issue is not new, but our willingness as a society to discuss it openly is a recent development. Whether in child care settings, church activities, or youth programming, parents and guardians recognize the need to ensure their child’s safety, and that may be one good that can come out of the tragedies that have gotten so much attention in recent weeks.
How can we guarantee that children are safe from abuse or molestation? Answers are not hard to find once we admit that the problem exists and that we must take active steps to stop it. Denial has been a silent ally of child predators. Openness on the issue disarms them. Openness also helps in circumstances of false accusations, which do sometimes occur.
Since the early 1980’s, the Boy Scouts of America has a "two deep leadership" policy. In brief, at no time is a single adult alone or solely responsible with children. Initially, some scouters resisted this policy, arguing that one-on-one interactions were important to mentoring and directing youth development.
But adults quickly realized that much more was gained than lost in using "two deep leadership" as an absolute requirement. Counseling was often enhanced by two adults responding to a youth’s questions. "Two deep" applied equally to everyone, so no adult leader need be offended by the policy. When an outing was planned, backup was now a requirement – "we’re just not going without another adult with us." And there was no room for a "my word versus the child’s word" situation if an accusation was made.
The other key element in"Youth Protection" is requiring two references. Background checks, which can cost up to $50 a person, are relatively ineffective. Even most well-founded accusations never have charges filed, let alone a conviction, as families hesitate to put their child (or themselves) through the legal system. But the average "problem adult" is often so un-self-aware that they don’t realize what their references will reveal about their last situation working with youth. Background checks rarely catch even long-term molesters, while references often do . . . if you call them, which of course is the last necessary step.
As a pastor as well as a scouter, I am chagrined at how rarely churches take such basic steps. These are two techniques that can be done by any organization, and have the potential to do immense good. On the other hand, neglecting these simple measures can result in incalculable harm.
There is no obvious sign for those who would harm our children. All of us who have worked extensively with youth programs have our own stories: both of the ones we caught and acted against, and the ones where we had no idea until it was too late. It is the latter that haunt us, and keep us vigilant. More eyes, more awareness, more willingness to confront inappropriate behavior, and a refusal to live in denial over the problem can get our entire communities to a place where predators can find no space to operate, and where kids can find a truly safe place to play and grow.
Rev. Jeff Gill
Pastor, Hebron Christian Church,
Church camp director, and
Dist. Commissioner, Licking District BSA
Child Safety and Abuse
Reader's Write -- Newark Advocate
Child safety and child abuse by responsible adults is a topic suddenly splashed across the news. The issue is not new, but our willingness as a society to discuss it openly is a recent development. Whether in child care settings, church activities, or youth programming, parents and guardians recognize the need to ensure their child’s safety, and that may be one good that can come out of the tragedies that have gotten so much attention in recent weeks.
How can we guarantee that children are safe from abuse or molestation? Answers are not hard to find once we admit that the problem exists and that we must take active steps to stop it. Denial has been a silent ally of child predators. Openness on the issue disarms them. Openness also helps in circumstances of false accusations, which do sometimes occur.
Since the early 1980’s, the Boy Scouts of America has a "two deep leadership" policy. In brief, at no time is a single adult alone or solely responsible with children. Initially, some scouters resisted this policy, arguing that one-on-one interactions were important to mentoring and directing youth development.
But adults quickly realized that much more was gained than lost in using "two deep leadership" as an absolute requirement. Counseling was often enhanced by two adults responding to a youth’s questions. "Two deep" applied equally to everyone, so no adult leader need be offended by the policy. When an outing was planned, backup was now a requirement – "we’re just not going without another adult with us." And there was no room for a "my word versus the child’s word" situation if an accusation was made.
The other key element in"Youth Protection" is requiring two references. Background checks, which can cost up to $50 a person, are relatively ineffective. Even most well-founded accusations never have charges filed, let alone a conviction, as families hesitate to put their child (or themselves) through the legal system. But the average "problem adult" is often so un-self-aware that they don’t realize what their references will reveal about their last situation working with youth. Background checks rarely catch even long-term molesters, while references often do . . . if you call them, which of course is the last necessary step.
As a pastor as well as a scouter, I am chagrined at how rarely churches take such basic steps. These are two techniques that can be done by any organization, and have the potential to do immense good. On the other hand, neglecting these simple measures can result in incalculable harm.
There is no obvious sign for those who would harm our children. All of us who have worked extensively with youth programs have our own stories: both of the ones we caught and acted against, and the ones where we had no idea until it was too late. It is the latter that haunt us, and keep us vigilant. More eyes, more awareness, more willingness to confront inappropriate behavior, and a refusal to live in denial over the problem can get our entire communities to a place where predators can find no space to operate, and where kids can find a truly safe place to play and grow.
Rev. Jeff Gill
Pastor, Hebron Christian Church,
Church camp director, and
Dist. Commissioner, Licking District BSA
Child Safety and Abuse
Reader's Write -- Newark Advocate
Child safety and the abuse of children by responsible adults is a topic suddenly splashed across the news. The issue is not new, but our willingness as a society to discuss these concerns openly is a fairly recent development. Whether in child care settings, church activities, or youth programming, parents and guardians are aware of the need to ensure their child’s safety, and that may be the one good that can come out of the tragedies that have gotten so much attention in recent weeks.
How can we guarantee that children can be safe from abuse or molestation? Answers are not that hard to find once we start admitting that the problem exists and that we have to take active steps to stop it. Denial has been a silent ally of child predators, and a little sunlight has the same effect on them that it does on rot and decay, not only revealing but disinfecting. For those concerned about false accusations against adults, which do sometimes occur, openness and transparency can help in those circumstances as well.
Since the early 1980’s, the Boy Scouts of America has had what they call a "two deep leadership" policy. In brief, at no time is a single adult alone or solely responsible with children. Initially, some scouters resisted the implementation of this policy, arguing that one-on-one walks and talks were important to helping mentor and direct youth development.
But adults quickly realized that much more was gained than lost in using "two deep leadership" as an absolute requirement. Counseling is often deepened and broadened by two adults responding to a youth’s questions. When bringing into leadership new adults, no one could be offended by someone else having to be present during youth activities, since "two deep" applies to everyone. When an outing was planned, the need for backup was now a requirement – "we’re just not going if we don’t have another adult with us." And there was no room for a "my word versus the child’s word" situation if an accusation was made.
The other key element in what Scouting calls "Youth Protection" is the requirement of listing two references. Some have suggested that official background checks are the way to go with this, but the problem with those checks isn’t the cost (which can be as much as $50 a person) but their relative ineffectiveness. Sadly, even most well-founded accusations never have charges filed, let alone a conviction, as families hesitate to put their child (or themselves) through the legal system. What continues to mystify me, but that I share out of the experience of many of us who have recruited camp counselors, youth advisors, and other such positions, is that the average "problem adult" is so un-self-aware that their references are often the very ones that asked them to leave their last situation working with youth. It seems counterintuitive, but background checks rarely catch even long-term molesters, while references often do . . . if you call them, which of course is the last necessary step.
As a pastor as well as a scouter, I continue to be chagrined at how rarely the church takes such basic steps. These are two techniques that can be done by any organization, and have the potential to do immense good; on the other hand, neglecting these simple measures can result in incalculable harm. The first time you tell a group of parents "this van isn’t leaving until a second adult goes along" you’ll hear grumbling, no doubt; but clarity and consistency on this point has never failed to produce growing understanding among both youth and adults that child safety is our first priority, and that understanding leads to affirmation and support.
There is no magic touchstone, no simple formula, no obvious visible sign for those who would harm our children. All of us who have worked extensively with youth programs have our own stories: both of the ones we caught and acted against, and the ones where we had no idea until it was too late. It is the latter that haunt us, and keep us vigilant. Which brings us back to "two deep", and the one safe certainty we can offer each other. More eyes, more awareness, more willingness to confront inappropriate behavior, and a refusal to live in denial over the problem can get our entire communities to a place where predators can find no space to operate, and where kids can find a truly safe place to play and grow.
Rev. Jeff Gill
Pastor, Hebron Christian Church
Church camp director
Dist. Commissioner, Licking District BSA
Reader's Write -- Newark Advocate
Child safety and the abuse of children by responsible adults is a topic suddenly splashed across the news. The issue is not new, but our willingness as a society to discuss these concerns openly is a fairly recent development. Whether in child care settings, church activities, or youth programming, parents and guardians are aware of the need to ensure their child’s safety, and that may be the one good that can come out of the tragedies that have gotten so much attention in recent weeks.
How can we guarantee that children can be safe from abuse or molestation? Answers are not that hard to find once we start admitting that the problem exists and that we have to take active steps to stop it. Denial has been a silent ally of child predators, and a little sunlight has the same effect on them that it does on rot and decay, not only revealing but disinfecting. For those concerned about false accusations against adults, which do sometimes occur, openness and transparency can help in those circumstances as well.
Since the early 1980’s, the Boy Scouts of America has had what they call a "two deep leadership" policy. In brief, at no time is a single adult alone or solely responsible with children. Initially, some scouters resisted the implementation of this policy, arguing that one-on-one walks and talks were important to helping mentor and direct youth development.
But adults quickly realized that much more was gained than lost in using "two deep leadership" as an absolute requirement. Counseling is often deepened and broadened by two adults responding to a youth’s questions. When bringing into leadership new adults, no one could be offended by someone else having to be present during youth activities, since "two deep" applies to everyone. When an outing was planned, the need for backup was now a requirement – "we’re just not going if we don’t have another adult with us." And there was no room for a "my word versus the child’s word" situation if an accusation was made.
The other key element in what Scouting calls "Youth Protection" is the requirement of listing two references. Some have suggested that official background checks are the way to go with this, but the problem with those checks isn’t the cost (which can be as much as $50 a person) but their relative ineffectiveness. Sadly, even most well-founded accusations never have charges filed, let alone a conviction, as families hesitate to put their child (or themselves) through the legal system. What continues to mystify me, but that I share out of the experience of many of us who have recruited camp counselors, youth advisors, and other such positions, is that the average "problem adult" is so un-self-aware that their references are often the very ones that asked them to leave their last situation working with youth. It seems counterintuitive, but background checks rarely catch even long-term molesters, while references often do . . . if you call them, which of course is the last necessary step.
As a pastor as well as a scouter, I continue to be chagrined at how rarely the church takes such basic steps. These are two techniques that can be done by any organization, and have the potential to do immense good; on the other hand, neglecting these simple measures can result in incalculable harm. The first time you tell a group of parents "this van isn’t leaving until a second adult goes along" you’ll hear grumbling, no doubt; but clarity and consistency on this point has never failed to produce growing understanding among both youth and adults that child safety is our first priority, and that understanding leads to affirmation and support.
There is no magic touchstone, no simple formula, no obvious visible sign for those who would harm our children. All of us who have worked extensively with youth programs have our own stories: both of the ones we caught and acted against, and the ones where we had no idea until it was too late. It is the latter that haunt us, and keep us vigilant. Which brings us back to "two deep", and the one safe certainty we can offer each other. More eyes, more awareness, more willingness to confront inappropriate behavior, and a refusal to live in denial over the problem can get our entire communities to a place where predators can find no space to operate, and where kids can find a truly safe place to play and grow.
Rev. Jeff Gill
Pastor, Hebron Christian Church
Church camp director
Dist. Commissioner, Licking District BSA
Monday, March 25, 2002
Hebron Crossroads
by Jeff Gill
Easter Egg Hunts and children's parties are regular features of the Saturday before
Easter, and March 30 will be no exception. In fact, a child could make their way around a number of kid's Easter events this Saturday. Hebron Christian Church will have a Children's Easter Party at 9:30 am, with the older youth helping the little ones with the activities in the church basement and back yard.
Licking Baptist Church invites area kids to come for a Community Easter Egg Hunt at 1
pm out on Beaver Run Road, and then up Route 37 at Infirmary Mound Park the Licking Park District will host an Easter Egg Hunt from 1:30 to 3 pm. Other area churches and
groups are holding special children's events through this weekend.
Easter morning, March 31, a Community Sunrise Service is at 6:30 am by the shelter
house at Dawes Arboretum. Wes Baker of Hebron United Methodist Church will share
the morning message, and the Handbell Choir of Hebron Christian will offer the music,
along with the participation of Jacksontown United Methodist with Bob Beyer.
This year, with time change next weekend instead of behind us, 6:30 am will be bright and sunlit, so we look forward to a very large group gathered around to watch the dawn's early light through the trunks of the cypress swamp across Hog Run valley to the northeast. After the service, the Nelson Workheimer Memorial Breakfast will be served up at Hebron UMC.Licking Baptist will offer a Sunrise Service at their worship center a little later, at 7:30 am, if your alarm doesn't get you up in time, or you could do two! Most area churches will have special music, messages, or cantatas along with the Easter lilies and ladies' orchids in their celebration of Christ's resurrection at 10:30 am; contact the church of your choice for details.
Along with time change (remember, Spring forward, Fall back) next weekend the night of
April 6, we know that planting season is beginning for most of our area farmers. Right
before spring planting, or as close as OSU-N's spring break lets them have Hopewell
Hall, the Licking County Salute to Agriculture holds its annual luncheon. At this event, held last Monday, the local Farm Bureau, the Soil & Water Conservation District, and OSU Extension, invited area residents to celebrate farming in Licking County. New members are also named to the Agricultural Hall of Fame.
In years past, local worthies like Melvin Foor, Richard Black, and Clayton Oyler have
been so honored. This year Lawrence Clark of the Hebron Linnville area was one of the two named. He and his wife Gerry are still active in the community, including at Hebron Methodist, continuing a history of service on the Franklin Twp. and later Lakewood School Boards, with the local soil and water conservation district board in almost every office including chairman, and has hosted field days and soil judging contests on his farm. It was a real pleasure to see the Clark family gather 'round to celebrate this honor for Lawrence Clark.
Mitch Lynd was one of the speakers, and he pointed out that 400,000 American farmers raise 90% of the crops that feed our nation and the world. But his closing point was that the most important crop US agriculture raises is leadership. He could look out over the crowd at the Salute to Agriculture luncheon and make his case with all the judges, commissioners, teachers, preachers, and plain old community helpers who trace their roots and the inspiration for their service from a family farm background.
However you choose to celebrate "new life" this next week, remember to be thankful for
farmers, who know a little something about the cycle of birth, death, and renewal, not to mention greeting the sunrise!
Jeff Gill is pastor of Hebron Christian Church and will be happy to give you a wake-up
call for the Community Easter Sunrise Service. If you need a call or have other news
you'd like to see in this column, call 928-4066 or e-mail disciple@voyager.net.
by Jeff Gill
Easter Egg Hunts and children's parties are regular features of the Saturday before
Easter, and March 30 will be no exception. In fact, a child could make their way around a number of kid's Easter events this Saturday. Hebron Christian Church will have a Children's Easter Party at 9:30 am, with the older youth helping the little ones with the activities in the church basement and back yard.
Licking Baptist Church invites area kids to come for a Community Easter Egg Hunt at 1
pm out on Beaver Run Road, and then up Route 37 at Infirmary Mound Park the Licking Park District will host an Easter Egg Hunt from 1:30 to 3 pm. Other area churches and
groups are holding special children's events through this weekend.
Easter morning, March 31, a Community Sunrise Service is at 6:30 am by the shelter
house at Dawes Arboretum. Wes Baker of Hebron United Methodist Church will share
the morning message, and the Handbell Choir of Hebron Christian will offer the music,
along with the participation of Jacksontown United Methodist with Bob Beyer.
This year, with time change next weekend instead of behind us, 6:30 am will be bright and sunlit, so we look forward to a very large group gathered around to watch the dawn's early light through the trunks of the cypress swamp across Hog Run valley to the northeast. After the service, the Nelson Workheimer Memorial Breakfast will be served up at Hebron UMC.Licking Baptist will offer a Sunrise Service at their worship center a little later, at 7:30 am, if your alarm doesn't get you up in time, or you could do two! Most area churches will have special music, messages, or cantatas along with the Easter lilies and ladies' orchids in their celebration of Christ's resurrection at 10:30 am; contact the church of your choice for details.
Along with time change (remember, Spring forward, Fall back) next weekend the night of
April 6, we know that planting season is beginning for most of our area farmers. Right
before spring planting, or as close as OSU-N's spring break lets them have Hopewell
Hall, the Licking County Salute to Agriculture holds its annual luncheon. At this event, held last Monday, the local Farm Bureau, the Soil & Water Conservation District, and OSU Extension, invited area residents to celebrate farming in Licking County. New members are also named to the Agricultural Hall of Fame.
In years past, local worthies like Melvin Foor, Richard Black, and Clayton Oyler have
been so honored. This year Lawrence Clark of the Hebron Linnville area was one of the two named. He and his wife Gerry are still active in the community, including at Hebron Methodist, continuing a history of service on the Franklin Twp. and later Lakewood School Boards, with the local soil and water conservation district board in almost every office including chairman, and has hosted field days and soil judging contests on his farm. It was a real pleasure to see the Clark family gather 'round to celebrate this honor for Lawrence Clark.
Mitch Lynd was one of the speakers, and he pointed out that 400,000 American farmers raise 90% of the crops that feed our nation and the world. But his closing point was that the most important crop US agriculture raises is leadership. He could look out over the crowd at the Salute to Agriculture luncheon and make his case with all the judges, commissioners, teachers, preachers, and plain old community helpers who trace their roots and the inspiration for their service from a family farm background.
However you choose to celebrate "new life" this next week, remember to be thankful for
farmers, who know a little something about the cycle of birth, death, and renewal, not to mention greeting the sunrise!
Jeff Gill is pastor of Hebron Christian Church and will be happy to give you a wake-up
call for the Community Easter Sunrise Service. If you need a call or have other news
you'd like to see in this column, call 928-4066 or e-mail disciple@voyager.net.
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