Safe Church
A safe church respects the dignity of every human being
A Message from the Rev. Deborah Silver, DMin., director of Safe Church Practices:
When we read, say or hear the words of The Episcopal Church Baptismal Covenant, we remember that we are called to respect the dignity of every human being. As the people of God in the Diocese of Atlanta we are committed to the safety of all God’s people and to the integrity of all work carried out by our clergy and people. To this end and over the past 20 years, we have intentionally developed safe church practices and policies.
Educating and empowering the people of our diocese is central to creating and maintaining churches and activities that are safe for everyone. We use Safeguarding God’s Children and Safeguarding God’s People training materials produced by the Church Pension Group in partnership with Praesidium, Inc. We have policies in place to protect children and youth from abuse and adults from sexual exploitation and sexual harassment.
Who is required to take Safeguarding God’s CHILDREN training?
HERE’S WHO: All clergy whether stipendiary, non-stipendiary, or otherwise who are engaged in ministry or service to the church; all persons who teach, supervise or assist with supervising children or youth in ministries, programs or activities more often than occasionally. All paid or volunteer Church Personnel whose work regularly takes them throughout the facility or grounds; all persons who provide transportation to children or youth without other adults in the vehicle more than occasionally; all vestry members or members of similar decision making groups who have the authority to approve the creation of ministries, programs or activities for children or youth.
For more on what training is required, click here »