Jesus Christ calls us to loving relationships that are healthy and helpful to each other, not taking advantage of those who are weaker or putting people in situations that are inappropriate for their age or maturity. All persons involved in ministry, whether receiving or giving care, deserve to be treated as Jesus Christ would treat them, with love, respect, kindness.
We are to seek God’s purposes for one another and not our own selfish purposes. All participants in ministry (all men and women, children, youth, adults, helpers, Sunday School teachers, nursery workers, adult supervisors, the poor, those of diverse cultural backgrounds, etc.) deserve to be in a safe environment; which includes, but is not limited to, an environment that is free from harassment, abuse, and misconduct. The Bishop and Diocese of Colorado are committed to creating such environments and have designed policies to reflect that commitment.
The Safeguarding God’s Children program was designed by the Church Pension Group, and is aimed at preventing childhood sexual abuse. This curriculum is taught regularly throughout Colorado. It is generally a half-day training, and consists of two video presentations, information and discussion. For an up-to-date schedule of training dates and locations, please check this page, and see the News section of this website or contact the Office of Faith Formation.
Those who are required to attend this workshop (once every four years):
- All clergy
- All persons who regularly work with children or youth
- All persons who regularly supply transportation for children or youth
- All employees or those adults whose living quarters are on the grounds of the church or school
- All persons who supervise children or youth on an overnight activity
Those who are recommended to attend the workshop:
- Wardens
- Vestry and Bishop's Committee members
Saturday, May 10: 9:00AM-12:00PM St. Paul’s, Fort Collins Judy Matthews is contact person (970-223-4080).
Saturday, May 10: 9:00AM-12:00PM St. Thomas, Alamosa. RSVP to 719-587-9456
Please contact Meg Stern in the Office for Faith Formation to inquire about scheduling a workshop.
This is a four-hour workshop that covers the issues of sexual misconduct in employment, mentor, and colleague relationships and is required by those who are in supervisory and leadership roles within parish ministries. These include:
- Clergy
- Church employees (clerical and maintenance staff are exempt but encouraged to attend),
- Those who are responsible for screening, selection, and supervision of adult church workers in programs with children or youth (i.e. youth ministry coordinators, Sunday School directors)
- Lay pastoral care providers (paid or volunteers)
- Spiritual Directors or those in mentor positions
- Senior Wardens (Vestry members are exempt but encouraged to attend)
To register contact Meg Stern, 303-837-1173
No classes are scheduled at this time.
The Diocese of Colorado has developed a set of policies for parish ministry with children or youth. The Bishop and Standing Committee of the diocese have mandated that every parish must adopt and implement these policies. If you have questions regarding these please contact the Faith Formation Office.
Follow the links below to download the policies (in either PDF or Word format) or the supplemental (a document with many recommended forms).
** Please note that if your parish adopted the policies prior to September 2005 you will need to download the “latest changes,” review them, and make the appropriate changes. Changes or clarifications are clearly marked.
Download the official Policies for Parish Ministries with Children or Youth document (PDF)
Word Version
Download the supplemental document with forms (PDF)
Word Version
As part of the Parish Policies for Ministries With Children or Youth all parishes are required to do a “background check” on those listed above who are required to take “Safeguarding God’s Children Workshop. The Bishop and Standing Committee of the diocese have mandated that this be done through “Trak-1 Technology” (unless permission is granted by the Standing Committee to use an alternative third-party service). The following resources will help you get this service set up for your parish.
When signing up with Trak-1, you will need to specify that you are with the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado. Failure to do this will mean your church does not have the Episcopal Diocese listed as their “parent” organization, and we will have no way of verifying that you are, indeed, using Trak-1
Download information about using Trak-1 for background checks (PDF)
Forms:
Service Agreement
Consent Form
Executive Staff Screening
Trak-1 Contact Information:
Trak-1 Web Site
Trak-1 phone number: 1-800-600-8999
Trak-1 fax number: 1-888-743-7668
Trak-1 email address
Mailing Address:
Trak-1 Corporate Administrative Office
PO Box 52028
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74152
Many churches neglect to screen those working with Children and Youth
More to come...
