St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Kemptville

 Safe Church Commitment

The Presbyterian Church in Canada is committed to fostering safe church environments free from harm and harassment, where vulnerable individuals, especially children and vulnerable adults, are protected. Creating safe churches involves preventing and responding to harm through policies, training, police record checks, transparency, clear reporting procedures for misconduct and pathways to justice, redress and healing when harm occurs.

It is the policy of The Presbyterian Church in Canada that all persons, and in particular all children, youth and vulnerable adults, who participate in the denomination’s programs, ministries and/or use the denomination’s facilities, will be cared for with Christian compassion and will be safe.

It is also the policy of The Presbyterian Church in Canada that sexual abuse, sexual harassment and harassment of any kind by church leaders, staff or volunteers will not be tolerated. All complaints will be taken seriously and handled in accordance with the denomination’s policy.

St. Paul’s Kemptville is a congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Canada and, as such, we adhere to the denomination’s policies. St. Paul’s is committed to fulfilling the church’s three safety policies:

• Leading with Care Policy

• Policy and Procedures Addressing for Harassment in the Church

• Policy for Dealing with Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment

All staff, volunteers, elders, ministers and anyone who participates in the church’s programs must follow these policies and are trained on them regularly.

For more information about the church’s safety policies, please visit The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s Safety Policies web page.

To raise a concern or make a complaint, email the Reverend Samer Kandalaft or Heather Stewart, the Clerk of Session at St. Paul’s. Alternatively, contact the clerk of the Presbytery of Seaway-Glengarry for advice on procedure.