Safe Church,
Safe Communities
1 Corinthians 12:12, 26-27
Christ is just like the human body—a body is a unit and has many parts; and all the parts of the body are one body, even though there are many. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part gets the glory, all the parts celebrate with it. You are the body of Christ and parts of each other.
(Common English Bible)
What is Safe Church,
Safe Communities?
In accordance with The Episcopal Church’s Safe Church, Safe Communities effort, on-line training is now offered for certification for Children/Youth and Vulnerable Adults. This training fosters a culture of safety and in clusion for all people and covers a broad overview of issues of vulnerability, power, and healthy boundaries. It’s designed to equip all people to live out their Baptismal Covenant. Certifications are valid for three years, and then should be renewed.
Safe Church, Safe Communities is required for non-clergy who have a key to the church facility, vestry and bishop committee members, church staff, and anyone who works with children in any capacity.
For instructions for Safeguarding Online trainings go to https://ecww.org/safeguarding-online/ - if you have additional questions reach out to safechurch@ecww.org.
Background
The obligation to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to respect the dignity of every human being is binding for every baptized member of the Episcopal Church. The authority with which church leaders — including clergy, adults who minister to children and youth, youth in leadership roles, and adults who minister to vulnerable people — are entrusted, creates an inherent power imbalance in the pastoral relationship. This power imbalance derives from the leadership role and, in the case of clergy, the symbolic authority of an ordained person. Christian leadership is intended to provide occasions for guidance and grace; its abuse is always and unequivocally wrong.
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The Diocese of Olympia takes its responsibility for the safety of our people seriously. The Safe Church, Safe Communities program teaches how to identify and prevent abuse within the church community.