SAFE CHURCH, SAFE COMMUNITIES
Welcome to the Diocese of Easton Safe Church Safe Communities page.
Safe Church Safe Communities replaces the former Safeguarding God’s Children program and incorporates a much broader understanding of how to create and encourage safe space and relationships in our faith communities. Safe Church not only covers the safety of children and youth but also the safety of vulnerable adults. In addition, the program covers a variety of other relationship scenarios unique to life in a faith community. You are encouraged to think of Safe Church as part of a valuable Christian Formation – Adult Education program because the information provided helps to build our awareness of those around us and to live out our Baptismal Covenant.
There are two main components to Safe Church:
1. Applications and Screening – Background Checks
2. Education and training through the Praesidium Academy platform
The blue box to the right provides Quick Links.
Below the video are Summary Sheets by position that provides a quick reference on what you need to know to get your parish or other organization in compliance with the Safe Church Safe Communities program.
Safe Church Links
Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
FAQ
User Groups: Creating Safe Spaces -Outside Entities Using Church Property
It is a good idea to have a Facility Use Agreement in place for any recurring use of your building, and for substantial one time uses (cases where you want to be clear about what the donation and the parameters are for using the space.) Exceptions to this are for AA and Scouting meetings. Church Insurance advises that AA and Scouting groups are well established and are known to have their own insurance and so Facility Use Agreements aren’t necessary.
Facility Use Agreement Template – Including Release of Liability (courtesy of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire)
This document is written for cases where a group uses your facility on a recurring basis, but it can be changed for one time use. Simply download the document and edit for Church use. You will note that this agreement includes a donation to offset the costs of the church providing the space.