A new diocesan task force has begun work to implement new trainings for safe church and anti-sexual harassment policies. The task force wants YOUR input to help define its focus. Please read this article and then take the SURVEY to share your thoughts.
Theological Background:
In our baptismal covenant, we state our beliefs in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We also make five promises that form the foundation of our relationship with God and our community (BCP, p. 304-305):
- Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
I will, with God's help. - Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
I will, with God's help. - Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
I will, with God's help. - Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
I will, with God's help. - Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will, with God's help.
Within this covenant, we are called to protect our neighbor and to keep our community safe. That's a promise we take very seriously in the Episcopal Church. The obligation to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to respect the dignity of every human being is binding for all the baptized.
New Online Training:
The Episcopal Church will be releasing nine new training modules in the summer of 2021 for lay and ordained members. The current policies and educational materials available to parishes are more than 25 years old. The new learning modules reflect policies approved by The Episcopal Church in 2017 for the protection of children and youth as well as vulnerable adults. Proposed anti-harassment guidelines can be found in the General Convention Blue Book.
The new online program will include:
- Introduction and Theological Background
- Inclusion of all God’s People
- Healthy Boundaries
- Power Imbalances
- Pastoral Relationships
- Abuse and Neglect
- Bullying
- Anti-harassment
- Organizational Rules and Specific Ministry Policies
Our Diocesan Response:
Each Episcopal diocese is required to adopt its own policies; model policies can be found at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/safe-church/.
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri has set up a task force to consider ways to implement the policies and new trainings throughout our diocese.
The task force is made up of the following members:
- Alexia Dukes, Church of All Saints & Ascension in St. Louis / Northwoods
- Jamie Hall, Grace Episcopal Church in Jefferson City
- Doris Lucy-Goodlow, Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis and St. Peter's in Ladue
- The Rev. Dave Malek, Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis
- Jillian Smith, Safeguarding Contact for The Diocese of Missouri
- Jess Speropulos, Church of St. Michael and St. George in Clayton
- The Rev. Joe Thompson, Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA
- Eric Travis, Consultant - Diocese of Michigan and General Convention Task Force
Take the Safeguarding Survey:
We do not want these policies and trainings to be a one-way or top-down initiative. So the task force is looking for your input. We encourage all lay and ordained leaders as well as volunteers involved in parish ministry to take a few moments to honestly respond to our survey. The survey will be available until July 1, 2021.
Contact the Task Force:
If you have questions or would like to learn more, please contact Jillian Smith, Executive Assistant to the Bishop and the Canon to the Ordinary (314-230-1220, ext. 1370).