Safe Church

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Child Sexual Abuse Prevention - Mending Creation Workshop.

Sexual Abuse Prevention Training in the Diocese of Maryland

The Diocese of Maryland requires the successful completion of a training course in child sexual abuse prevention for all clergy, lay employees, and anyone who regularly supervises children. This training must be completed within the first 6 months of service. It is suggested that lay Sunday School teachers participate in the training and we invite and encourage all adults who make decisions about or participate in programs for children to complete the training.

Training Requirements and Policy Handbook

A chart detailing the training and background check requirements and the Safe Church Policy Handbook may be downloaded in Adobe PDF format by clicking the links below.

Introductory Letter (21 Kb PDF File)
Training and Background Investigation Chart (61 Kb PDF File)
Updated August 31, 2007
Safe Church Policy Handbook (6.25 Mb PDF File)
Updated October 26, 2006
Click here to download the background check form for laypeople.
Click here to download the form for Clergy.

Click here for answers to some frequently asked questions about our safe church policies.

Mending Creation

“Mending Creation” is a locally authored and administered prevention program, designed to satisfy this requirement. The program has been designed to compel adults to consider issues of emotional and physical safety for children in their charge, and to be able to consciously create a sacred space where healthy behaviors are practiced between adults and children. The workshop also provides education in designing programs that nurture these behaviors, as well as comply with the specific Diocesan standards identified in Standards of Behavior, Safety & Inclusion.

The workshop is designed to be approximately 3 hours in length, and works well when offered as a 4-hour class with breaks, snacks, or a meal included.

The workshop is available to parishes at cost from the Diocese, e.g. we will only charge what is necessary to cover the cost of space rental, materials, refreshments, etc. For more information about the Safe Church program, contact the Rev. Stuart Wright or call the Diocesan Center (410) 467-1399.

As workshops are scheduled around the Diocese, they will be posted here to allow others to take advantage of offerings near them. To register for a workshop or to see about scheduling a workshop at your parish, please contact Wes Wubbenhorst at wwubbenhorst@ang-md.org or call the Diocesan Center (410) 467-1399.

Workshop Schedule

Sunday, September 28, 2008
St. Mark’s, Lappans
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008
St. Mark’s, Highland
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 5, 2008
St. John’s, Kingsville
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 12
All Hallows'
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 19th
St. John’s, Glyndon
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 26, 2008
St Andrew’s, Glenwood
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 30, 2008
St. John’s, Ellicott City
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 9, 2008
Christ Church, West River
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 16, 2008
Western Maryland – St. John’s, Frostburg
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Prevention of Adult Misconduct Training

This training is required for all clergy, aspirants, and lay employees (excluding clerical and maintenance workers) who have not previously attended a training session. Those needing training should contact the Rev. Stuart Wright at (410) 467-1399 for information.