Talking to our kids about boundaries, faith, and the digital world can feel overwhelming for any parent or caregiver. To help equip our families with practical, hope-filled tools, CHUMC is forming a Learning Group for the United Methodist Church’s national Do No Harm Conference.

This conference is designed to help congregations and caregivers prevent sexual harm, foster trauma-informed care, and build safe, trusting environments, especially for young people. Rather than navigating these heavy topics in isolation, our learning group allows you to participate in the conference from home on Saturday while connecting in a live CHUMC group chat. We’ll then gather together Sunday morning in the Fellowship Hall to process, share takeaways, and support one another as a community.

Details at a Glance

Part 1: Virtual Conference & Live Group Chat

• When: Saturday, Nov 14th (Tune in for all or part of the day)

  • 9am - 10:15am — Opening Plenary with Rachael Denhollander

  • 10:30am - 11:45am — Recommended Workshop 1: Sex + Faith: Practical frameworks for talking with children about bodies, gender, and healthy boundaries (with Dr. Kate Ott).

  • 12:30pm - 1:15pm — Midday Plenary with Ashley Judd

  • 1:30pm - 2:45pm — Recommended Workshop 2: Digital Safety: Hope-filled, practical steps for protecting children and teens in a digital world with Steven Scheid).

  • 3pm - 3:45pm — Closing Plenary with Ashley Judd & Rachael Denhollander

• Where: Online from home via Zoom, with our CHUMC group chat for real-time reactions and shared resources

Part 2: In-Person Community Debrief

• When: Sunday, Nov 15 at 9:30 AM

• Where: Fellowship Hall

• What: Grab a cup of coffee and join fellow parents and caregivers to unpack what we learned, swap practical strategies, and talk about how we can support one another at home and at church.

• For the Kids: While we meet in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 AM, kids are encouraged to head to the next door Choir Room to join Children’s Choir Rehearsal!

Who Should Join: Parents, caregivers, children's ministry servants, and any adults interested in building a safer world for kids.

Cost: Standard registration through is $50, with a "Pay What You Can" sliding-scale option available. CHUMC support is also available if cost is a barrier in any way.

The Workshops Our Group Is Focusing On

1. Sex + Faith: Talking with Children

with Dr. Kate Ott (Saturday, 10:30am - 11:45am)

Parents and religious educators have a beautiful, unique opportunity to integrate their faith values with everyday conversations about body safety, gender, and relationships. This session provides a holistic framework for approaching sexuality education across the different ages and stages of child development. You will also learn how to address modern challenges like highly sexualized media and the constant accessibility of technology.

2. Digital Safety for Caregivers

with Steven Scheid (Saturday, 1:30pm - 2:45pm)

Led by Steven, the UMC’s Director of Scouting Ministries, this session turns complex internet anxieties into practical, hope-filled steps for your home. You will walk away with real strategies for:

• Setting healthy, shared digital expectations as a family.

• Choosing age-appropriate apps and privacy settings.

• Recognizing common online pressures, scams, and red flags.

• Building the kind of open, trust-filled relationship where your kids will speak up early when something feels wrong online.

How to RSVP (Two Quick Steps!)

1. Sign Up for the CHUMC Group Chat & Sunday Debrief:

Let us know you're joining so we can include you in the Saturday group text, have coffee ready for you in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday at 9:30 AM, and connect you with registration fee support if needed.

2. Register for Your Zoom Link:

Complete your conference registration directly through the “Do No Harm” website to receive your Zoom link for Saturday's sessions. (If you requested a church scholarship on Step 1, hold off on this step and we will follow up with you directly!)