The Safeguarding God’s People and Safeguarding God’s Children programs help us to live out our Baptismal promise to respect the dignity of every human being. Safeguarding is a three part program (interview, online application, which includes background and reference checks, and a one-time training class) intended to deepen awareness of sexual misconduct and harassment issues in the church context, whether that is around worship services, in ministries to children and youth, or in the many other ministries we engage in. It is intended to help us recognize misconduct, to provide support to respond to misconduct if it is done to us or others, and to know how the church will respond when sexual misconduct occurs.
Whether you are knowledgeable about misconduct or not (and I’m assuming you are a knowledgeable bunch), this training is valuable in that it builds community awareness and mutual support for observing good boundaries among ourselves, and for knowing that we will support one another in responding to misconduct if it should occur. The fact that this training is not only offered, but required, is an indication of the seriousness with which the Episcopal Church is committed to ensuring that its churches, schools, and institutions provide an environment free of abuse, exploitation, and harassment.
Upcoming classes
(please note: registration is REQUIRED)
Safeguarding God’s Children
(Focused on ministries to children and youth)
March 28, 2020 10am-1pm registration deadline: March 10, 2020
Safeguarding God’s People
(Focused on ministries to adults)
March 28, 2020 10am-1pm registration deadline: March 10, 2020
Register by emailing office@stjamesaustin.org and indicating which class you are taking.
