The Safe Church office was created to resource the transformative work of protecting children, youth, and vulnerable adults across the church and in the world through training and practice. As we build a network of trainers using the new Safe Church, Safe Communities curriculum, we are creating a community of learning and practice prepared to show the love of Christ appropriately through informed and intentional action. We also curate resources to enhance the training courses available at Praesidium Academy through constant evaluation and sharing stories, as well as consulting on policy and practice.

TRAINING THE TRAINERS

We are well on our way to fulfilling our goal of equipping two Diocesan Trainers for each diocese. THANK YOU to the 51+ participants who have given three hours on a Thursday to get up to speed on Training Materials and best practices. Direct invitations have been shared each month with those on the Safe Church Office's DIOCESAN TRAINERS contact list. Are you a diocesan level trainer and didn't get an invitation? Could be one or both of two things:

• Please check your junk mail for email from [email protected] via Constant Contact and

• Identify yourself using the "Safe Church, Safe Communities Contact Sign-up" link below to update your diocesan information and trainer status.

Our final spring training session is scheduled for June 22 before we go on Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) and summer hiatus. Trainings will be offered again in the fall, so stay tuned.

New training resources available through Praesidium Academy have been put to use, including the Training Workbook and individual course slide-decks for in-person training. These new resources are available to those who participated in train-the-trainer online sessions. More specific and robust administrator training is also in the works as we coordinate with Praesidium support on that front. Stay tuned!

We continue to identify existing and new diocesan administrators and trainers each week. If you need to correct your status or want to add names and emails to our network, please share and use the following link: 

Safe Church, Safe Communities Contact Sign-up

Haven't updated your local Diocesan Policy yet? Click these links to the Model Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth and Vulnerable Adults and share with your diocesan chancellor and Safe Church Administrator. Both policies are also available in Spanish and Chinese.

From the Manager

As with MANY things and in most ministry contexts it is advisable to engage tasks and events in community. It is our Christian practice and the theological starting point for our Safe Church practices. For the first six months of this year I have been blessed with colleague consultants helping host online Train-the-Trainer sessions. This amazing team includes Eric Travis, Tim Spannaus, and Caren Miles who have come alongside to accompany me in designing and hosting training. They serve as "Primary Trainers" to help teach and mentor "Diocesan Trainers." Diocesan Trainers are equipped to train local trainers within a diocese, and individuals serving in ministries in local contexts.

The Safe Church Office has entered into a consultant agreement with each of them to enable dioceses to contract for their services to come and conduct trainings WITH - not FOR - but WITH you if you would like a partner in training your people. This is highly recommended for dioceses unable to enlist any trainers to date who could join us for the online sessions held this past spring. These consultants stand ready to Zoom or travel (travel, lodging, and meals on your dime) while the Safe Church office pays for their time. Below please see their brief biographies and contact information. Let me know if you have questions about this new partnership opportunity. Know that I trust each of these humans without reservation and am grateful for their willingness to increase the capacity of this new office within the Department of Faith Formation.

Caren Miles is the Associate for Faith Formation for the Diocese of California. She co-authored the These Are Our Bodies: Talking Faith & Sexuality at Church & Home, curriculum for High School students. She continues to work within The Episcopal Church, and in other youth-serving organizations, to train adults and youth in all the ways they can make their spaces open, safe, and inclusive for all. Email Caren at [email protected]

Eric Travis is the Director of Children’s and Youth Ministry at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio and the Safe Church Admin and Training Coordinator for the Diocese of Ohio. He served on the Task Force from General Convention 2015 to update the Model Policies for the Protection of Children, Youth, & Vulnerable Adults, as well as the Task Force from General Convention 2018 to Update Safe Church Training and develop Model Policies for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment. Email Eric at [email protected]

The Ven. Dr. Tim Spannaus is a seasoned Safe Church, Safe Communities trainer, having facilitated local and online training and having served on the 2018 GC task force to create training updates. He currently serves as Archdeacon for the Diocese of Michigan. Prior to retirement he was the head of the instructional design program at Wayne State University. Email Tim at [email protected]

May your summer be blessed with good health, appropriate relaxation, safe adventures, and an abundance of joy.

Faithfully,

Bronwyn

Bronwyn Clark Skov, Manager

Safe Church, Safe Communities

[email protected]

646-242-1421

Office Hours    Summer 2023

Tuesday           8:00 – 4:00 pm CT

Wednesday      10:30 am – 6:30 pm CT

And consultations by appointment

SUMMER SCHEDULE

The Department of Faith Formation will be all about the Episcopal Youth Event July 2-9 and not responding to unrelated email until Tuesday 11 July. Manager Bronwyn Skov will be taking vacation time with family August 23 through September 8. Julie Travis, our fully capable coordinating consultant will be monitoring email sent to [email protected].