Safe Church
The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan is committed to safeguard all of God’s children. This policy intends to demonstrate that commitment to creating safe environments, especially for children, youth, and vulnerable adults, from sexual, physical and/or personal abuse or exploitation.
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COVID-19 SAFE CHURCH UPDATE:
- Please see EDOMI Social Media Policy to guide our communities regarding Social Media use.
- Check out this recent Being Mindful in a Digital World page for leaders of Children and Youth.
- This Best Practices document outlines safe approaches for online worship and fellowship gatherings.
- This 4-minute YouTube Video from Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary outlines Safe Church and Online Practices (March, 2020) regarding Zoom online use.
- Safe Church TRACK 2 and TRACK 3 Course are available in the regular monthly schedule by Zoom only until further notice. (Not sure which class you need? click here.)
- Our Safe Church Trainers are Zoom-equipped to teach online!
- As before, Track 1, self-directed, is available currently by registering here. For more information, contact Rev. Vicki Hesse at vhesse@edomi.org or call 313-833-4412.
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Our theological foundation affirms that no one is to be deprived of the basic needs of food, drinking water, shelter, sleep, access to restrooms, safety, and clothing at any event. Further, no one shall be denied rights, status, or access to an equal place in the life, worship, and governance of any program or activity because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, differing abilities, or socio-economic class.
The policy establishes training programs (supported by standards, guidelines, procedures and protocols) to create a safe environment for those to whom we minister, and for our own personal protection.
Don’t know which course you’re required to take? Watch this short video or review this chart.
Looking for a curriculum for children, youth or young adults? We recommend These Are Our Bodies by Church Publishing.
How to Participate in our Facilitator-Led Safe Church Track 2 and/or Track 3 Online-Zoom
Please take note of specific protocol for online-zoom trainings:
- As you may know, there is a learning curve for everyone to teach and learn via zoom. While the courses have been designed for in-person gatherings, we are adjusting the curriculum to engage online tools. As trainers, we will have some items that might take a little longer to find/explain. As participants, you might need extra time to find your place in the documents. Thank you for your patience.
- For this course it will be required that all participants have and use video camera so that we are all present to each other and can read facial expressions. We apologize we cannot accommodate phone call in participants at this time.
- It is preferable for participation by computer, not on smart phone or iPad. That way, everyone can see the “grid” of everyone’s faces. Please advise us before the training and we will accommodate your technology as best as we can.
- If you need to test your connection, or practice zooming, call or email Whitaker before 12pm the day before the class.
- Registration closes 24 hours before the class; allowing participants to review the handouts and documents related to the class. Last minute registrations cannot be supported due to the preparation required. (Exceptions on a case by case basis).
- Participants will be emailed a link to the googledrive where the “handouts” and “policy/handbook” documents are retained. Participants are expected to download these on their own.
- Plan to log-in to zoom 20-30 minutes before class to establish zoom connection. Participants will be asked to clarify their zoom-profile-name, like a nametag!
- Participants can watch this link which is a 3 ½ minute video (from Virginia Theological Seminary’s Digital Missioner, Sarah Stonesifer-Boylan) about “how to effectively participate in zoom meetings” as preparation.
- When we begin, participants will need to “sign in” through a google-sheet provided on screen, to confirm your presence, and verify that we have contact information correct.
Jump to Safe Church course schedule
How are we zoom-enabling our trainers? See below for MicroLearning Safe Church Trainer Zoom courses. Meant for digging deeper as a Safe Church Trainer; and all are welcome. Email Vicki Hesse to participate! vhesse@edomi.org
Upcoming MicroLearning Topics:
- Nov. 5th – Track 3 Script and Teaching Online Tips!
- Nov. 19th – Student Exercises When Energy Wanes
- Dec. 3rd – Children and Youth-Specific Topics
- Dec. 17th – Vestry Members-Specific Topics