ministries - Pastoral Care 

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WHAT IS KEEPING GOD'S PEOPLE SAFE?

Each of us shares the honor of helping shape our immediate and extended environments.  This is especially true of chlidren's environments.  Even if we are not related to a child, or engaged in child-assisting occupations, we still influence children's environments.

Sadly, the mistreatment of children, especially the sexual abuse of children, is an ever-present reality.  Sex abuse can happen wherever children gather -- in their neighborhoods, clubs, sports, schools and, regretably in their churches or youth groups. Yet, our very presence can be an instrument of change for the better.

To address this situation, the Diocese of Chicago has developed the workshop program, KEEPING GOD'S PEOPLE SAFE (KGPS). The program has two main levels.  Level One, Protecting God's People; Level Two, Leading & Caring for God's People  MORE...

A complete review of The Diocese of Chicago's policies centering on the prevention of child sex abuse and inappropriate sex conduct is found in the manual, Keeping God's People Safe (2009). or Manteniendo Seguro Al Pueblo De Dios ( 2009).  The following is an excerpt from the manual:

KEEPING GOD'S PEOPLE SAFE (KGPS) abuse prevention training is required for all Clergy, paid employees, those who provide pastoral services, and all persons who work with Children/Youth. This training needs to be renewed, in a group setting, every five years.

• Level I Child Abuse Prevention Training is required of all persons who work - -regularly or occasionally, staff or volunteer, adult or youth-- with Children/Youth.

• Levels I & II training is required of all Clergy, Paid Staff and Church Personnel who administer programs, perform pastoral ministries, serve as Wardens, or are Bishop's Committee /Vestry members.

• Screening Interviews and Background Checks are required for all Clergy and paid employees, without exception.

• Church/Agency Volunteers who regularly work with Children /Youth or Vulnerable Adults, or who have routine access to the facilities and grounds where Children/Youth gather, or who perform pastoral ministries also need to participate in the Screening process.

A summary of how the policies relate to various employee or volunteer positions can be found on the chart: Training & Background Check Requirements and Recommendations.  If a task is not included, please contact KGPS Program Coordinator Elizabeth Erickson (312-751-4212) or the Canon for Pastoral Care, The Rev. Canon Randall R. Warren  (312-751-4209) for further information.

 

Spiritual Reflections on Keeping God's People Safe: 

We Episcopalians are avowedly Trinitarian. We believe that our One God is a trinity of persons in loving communion. Because we know God to be so fundamentally relational, we also know that human beings are made for communion. MORE...

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS...

For more information, please contact Elizabeth (Beth) Erickson (312-751-4212), Program Coordinator for Keeping God's People Safe, or the Canon Pastoral Care, The Rev. Canon Randall R. Warren  (312-751-4209).