Dear People of St. James’,
Over the last couple of years, we have invested in children’s and youth formation by hiring part-time staff to help us build up those ministries. Simone Barnes, Ari Monts, and Amber Sarpy have brought new energy to this work, with the ongoing support of Diana Espinosa and Aimee Estep and generous volunteers.
Due to their efforts and new families arriving at St. James’, we have come to a place where we need to expand the number of adults who are willing and trained to serve as Godly Play sponsors and youth sponsors. That could look like a regular monthly commitment, or maybe you are willing to fill in a gap from time-to-time, so that our programs can be reliable and responsive when another sponsor has a family emergency or some other conflict. Either way, we need you to go through a process called Safeguarding God’s Children. Once you go through the process, you will be certified for five whole years! That’s so wonderful, because it makes our children’s and youth programs more resilient. It helps us avoid situations where we might otherwise have to cancel and let people down, because every youth or children’s event must have at least two Safeguarded adults present – even online Godly Play.
The Safeguarding God’s Children process has three steps:
1. The Application (To complete the Application, you will asked to provide contact information, the names of four references, and information pertaining to relevant volunteer and work experiences. You will also be asked to consent to a criminal background check and provide the confidential information necessary to perform the free-to-you background check.)
2. The background check
3. The training: This is a three-hour training about how to foster safe environments for children and youth. When it comes down to it, this essential work is a part of the promises that we make to children and their families at baptism.
If you are open to being part of our network of adults who want to make St. James’ a great place for children and youth to be on their journey of faith, contact Amber Sarpy, Director of Children’s Ministries (amber@stjamesaustin.org) or Simone Barnes, Director of Youth and Nursery, (familyministry@stjamesaustin.org). This training is also critical for those who desire to volunteer with Freedom School.
Thank you!
Rev. Eileen
