Manchester UMC uses a digital Consent and Release agreement. You will be emailed a copy of the signed document for your records once submitted.
Please choose a version based on the age of the program participant:
Your completed Consent and Release agreement is valid for all church-sponsored programs offered by Manchester UMC. If you participate in multiple Manchester UMC programs, your Consent and Release agreement is valid for all of them.
If a partner organization (e.g. Habitat for Humanity, LifeWise, Epworth, etc.) requires their own Consent and Release agreement, you will need to sign their form in addition to one for Manchester UMC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have I Already Completed a Consent & Release Agreement?
The best way to determine if you have a current Consent and Release agreement is to check your email. A copy of your digitally completed agreement was emailed to you when you submitted the agreement. If you are unable to locate an agreement in your email, you can always complete a new agreement or you can contact the staff leader for your ministry and they can check for you.
When Do Consent & Release Agreements Expire?
Each Consent and Release agreement is valid until the expiration date contained on the form unless consent is withdrawn in writing according to the terms of the document.
When is a Consent & Release Agreement Necessary?
Church policy (as approved by the Leadership Board) requires participants to complete Consent and Release agreements in the following situations:
- Activities involving demolition, renovation and/or construction
- Activities involving potentially dangerous equipment, places or spaces
- Off-campus mission trips/projects
- Off-campus activities involving minors
- Church-sponsored trips and tours
- Overnight events
- Minors and volunteers participating in our preschool and youth programs.
- Sports programs
Examples of church-sponsored programs where persons must complete a Manchester UMC Consent and Release agreement before participating are:
- Midwest Distribution Center Trips (Criteria: 1, 2 & 3)
- Habitat for Humanity Projects (Criteria: 1, 2 & 3)
- Mozambique Trips (Criteria: 1, 2 & 3)
- VIM Trips (Criteria: 1, 2 & 3)
- Emergency Response Team Projects (Criteria: 1, 2 & 3)
- Christmas Tree Lot (chainsaw operators only) (Criteria: 2)
- Youth Ministry Events (Criteria: 2, 3, 4 & 5)
- Epworth Cooking Nights (Criteria 2 & 3)
- Social Justice (only those going offsite) (Criteria: 1, 2 & 3)
- Boy Scout Kids (only those going offsite) (Criteria: 1, 2 & 4)
- Preschool Kids (Criteria: 5)
- Children and Family Kids (only those going offsite) (Criteria: 4)
- Kid Choirs (if going offsite) (Criteria: 4)
- One for the Crow Gardening (Criteria: 2 & 3)
- MO-Hab Riders (Criteria: 2 & 3)
- Campfires (onsite and offsite) (Criteria: 2)
- Basketball or Volleyball Teams (Criteria: 6)
- Church Kitchen Crews (Criteria: 2)
Why Do We Use Consent & Release Agreements?
Consent and release agreements are commonly used by churches, non-profit agencies, businesses, etc. to help mitigate risk for the organization as well as its employees and program leaders. Manchester UMC’s agreement also gives participants the opportunity to determine who is contacted in an emergency situation and permits program leaders to share important information with emergency care providers should a participant have a medical situation during the church-sponsored program.
Additionally, if someone is hurt on a Manchester UMC activity and requires medical care, Missouri law does not protect most employees, leaders or volunteers who may provide immediate first aid (when timing is often most critical). This can leave other volunteers, ministry leaders and/or staff vulnerable in the rare case that accidental harm is caused (despite the best of intentions) in rendering first aid before first responders arrive.
It’s important to note that Manchester UMC’s waiver does NOT excuse any harm caused by intentional misconduct or gross negligence by those involved.
Manchester UMC also utilizes consent and release agreements as a transparent way to inform volunteers of potential risks and advise them upfront how the church will respond should something unexpected occur during a church-sponsored program. Many of our partner organizations (e.g. Habitat for Humanity, Kingdom House, Midwest Distribution Center, Boy Scouts, Volunteers in Mission, etc.) also require participants to sign a consent agreement as part of their programs for the same reasons.
Have Questions?
Please email [email protected] for assistance.
