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Support For The Journey
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Your Support Person
"The person decides whether to make use of the
support person offered by the Committee on Ministry" (United Church of Christ, 2002, p.58)
Regarding using the services of a support person,
the UCC will offer you such services. You can choose to use the services of the individual they recommend or you may
look for someone not connected with the UCC or with that specific conference. Dee Miller (www.takecourage.org) is an excellent resource for connecting with a support person. The UUA also recommends contacting
your local rape crisis center. Please keep in mind that your support person will be crucial to your well being throughout
the process. Unfortunately, as this is written, this individual will not be allowed to advocate for you or even to speak
to the representatives of the Committee on the Ministry. So the role of this individual is to advise you regarding the
process and perhaps to provide emotional and spiritual support to you during this difficult time. The support person
may also intervene for you with Conference staff or other UCC staff regarding breaches in the fitness review process.
However, due to polity within the UCC, those conducting the fitness review are free to reject any recommendations from those
at higher levels within the UCC adminstration, such as Conference staff.
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Choosing Your Support Person
As for choosing a support person, useful guidelines can be found on the UUA website.
As stated on that site:
In general, it's important that you feel you can work with your advocate (in
the UCC, your support person) and that she (or he) will provide the support
you need. Things to assess in choosing a... (support person) include:
Is she a good listener?
Does he understand the workings of the...(UCC)?
Does she understand how clergy sexual misconduct affects a victim or survivor?
Is he readily available?
Does he give you clear contact information, including what to do in case of an emergency?
If she is geographically removed from you, can you work out arrangements for her
to be with you at the most critical junctures?
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Coming to Agreement With Your Support Person
It is highly recommended that you and your support person come to an agreement, in
writing, regarding the role of the support person, availability, and access during critical times. For example, you
might agree to meet for a specified time prior to your meetings with the Response Team and your meeting with the Committee
on the Ministry. You should also be prepared to agree to your role and responsibilities in the process, for example, your
availability, timeliness of documentation so that your support person will have time to review what you have written, emergency
phone contacts, and agreement regarding fees if there are any.
If at all possible, it would be beneficial if the support person took notes during
interviews with the Response Team and with the Committee on the Ministry. If this is not possible, document as much
as you can immediately following these meetings. Note any discrepancies with the policy outlined in the Manual on Ministry.
Meeting With the Response Team
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