St. John's Lutheran Church
Youth Photos
Please take a look at highlights from our youth activities at St. John’s Church!
UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS:
Souper Bowl of Caring – 150 million people will tune into the Super Bowl while over 48 million Americans struggle with hunger. Use the bounty exhibited during the football’s Super Bowl as a call to action to assist those for whom hunger is an everyday struggle. On Sunday, February 9th our youth will collect money and non-perishable items to support St. Paul’s Food Pantry.
Background Check Info
For Volunteers
CLICK HERE for info on the NEPA Synod website. There are direct links to the sites where you can complete your clearances online. (Click on the “Background Checks” tab.)
We have also compiled a file of useful information and paper copies of the required clearances if you wish to submit them by mail. CLICK HERE for the PDF file.
Once you have completed your clearances, YOU MUST SUBMIT A COPY TO THE CHURCH OFFICE. We MUST have: PA Child Abuse History & Criminal Background. They will be kept on file and will be valid for 5 years.
PA Child Protective Services Law
At the end of 2014, new laws took effect that required all employees and volunteers working with children to receive background checks. Laws were amended in 2015 that changed the requirement from every three years to every five years and made some of the background checks free for volunteers. If you just began this process in 2014 it is time to think about renewal of these checks.
The laws that came about in 2014 also put into place the new reality that our church volunteers became mandated reporters if they became aware of or suspected abuse or neglect toward a child. If your employees and/or volunteers have not been informed or trained in what this requires now is as good a time as any to make that happen.
Mandated Reporting
The new laws expand the definition of “mandatory reporters” to include all rostered leaders, paid church employees who work with children and also volunteers over age 18 who work with children in activities and programs. For churches, this means ALL Sunday school teachers, nursery attendants, VBS volunteers, youth group leaders, etc.
Mandatory reporters are those who, when they have reasonable suspicion of child abuse, are required to call the state ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313. The new law puts the burden on each mandatory reporter to notify state authorities. They are required to follow up with a written report. Willful failure to report is punishable by law.
