SEXUAL ETHICS POLICY STATEMENT

Honokaa United Methodist church affirms the 2000 Book of Resolutions: Sexual Abuse within the Ministerial Relationship and Sexual Harassment Within the Church, which states, that sexual abuse within the ministerial relationship and sexual harassment within the church are incompatible with the biblical teachings of hospitality, justice and healing. In accordance with the 2000 Book of Discipline ¶ 161F, all human beings, both male and female, are created in the image of God, and thus have been made equal in Christ. As the promise of Galatians 3:26-29, states all are one in Christ, we support equality among all persons without regard to ethnicity, situation or gender.

The intent of this policy is to address a range of behavior that constitutes misconduct of a sexual nature. This includes, but is not limited to, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation.

Any unwanted sexual comment, advance or demand, either verbal or physical, that is reasonably perceived by the recipient as demeaning, intimidating, or coercive Sexual harassment must be understood as an exploitation of a power relationship rather than as an exclusively sexual issue. Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, the creation of a hostile or abusive environment resulting from discrimination on the basis of gender" (2000 Book of Discipline ¶ 161.1)

Includes rape/criminal sexual conduct or sexual contact by force, threat, or intimidation that are in violation of the Hawaii Criminal Sexual Conduct Code. Sexual abuse involves the subjecting of a child or vulnerable adult by any person responsible for their care to any sexual act which is a violation of the Hawaii Criminal Sexual Conduct Code. To uphold the moral standard of the United Methodist Church as defined by this document and the 2000 Book of Discipline, no person under 18 years of age nor any vulnerable adult can give consent to sexual acts.

Includes any sexual contact or activity between a person in a therapeutic or counseling role/relationship and a congregant/client.

Occurs when a person within the faith community is identified by that community, or identifies themselves to others, as a person who acts as a representative of a congregation in any capacity. This person may be a lay or professional – such as pastor, deacon, educator, camp counselor, pastoral counselor, choir director, or youth leader. The adjective "ministerial" refers to the relationships of authority and trust in which these persons are involved.

Misconduct of a sexual nature within the life of the church interferes with its moral mission. Honokaa United Methodist Church stands in opposition to the sin of sexual misconduct in the church and will take appropriate action in compliance with the 2000 Book of Discipline.

In cases of accusation against a lay person within the church, this congregation will commit to a fair and expeditious investigation. All complaints will follow the procedures laid out in ¶2701-2706 of the 2000 Book of Discipline. Complaints filed against lay persons should be reported to the pastor in charge or to the Chair of the Minister-Parish Relations Committee (MPRC).

Misconduct by a clergy person or diaconal minister must be reported to the Bishop and the District Superintendent, either directly or through the Minister-Parish Relations Committee. If reported to the MPRC, the chair of this committee will report the information to the District Superintendent and/or the Bishop.

The MPRC committee will encourage a complainant to compose and sign a written statement and to assist him or her in doing so. Upon receipt of the written complaint, the steps outlined in ¶2703.4 of the 2000 Book of Discipline will be followed. If a complainant is unwilling to sign a statement, the congregation will support the pastor and the Minister-Parish Relations Committee in an attempt to meet the following goals: learn the truth, identify other victims, protect potential victims, and offer a ministry of healing. Any complainant who is reluctant to sign a statement will be encouraged to do so, because without it, the ability to meet these goals will be substantially reduced.

Honokaa United Methodist Church will distribute the sexual misconduct policy to:

Minister-Parish Relations CommitteeAll new staff on their first day of employment (ask all staff to acknowledge receipt of the policy in writing)

Add to the policy manual

Post it on the bulletin board

Make available to all leaders and volunteers

Reference it in the church newsletter once a year

Review and train annually with the staff, leaders and volunteers

Post on the church’s web site

Evaluation of this policy and procedures arising from it shall be reviewed as necessary.