Safeguarding God's Children

Did you know that according to research done through Crosswalk.com that 90% of children between the ages of 8 and 16 have viewed pornography on the internet? Not because they are looking for it, but because porn is looking for them. Churches are looking for ways to insure the safeguarding of our children. Below you will read information from the Diocese of Texas as to the safeguarding of our children. Holy Comforter teachers, leaders and all ministry members that fall within the group specified by the Diocese will be required to attend a training session. There is no charge for this session but you need to register to attend.

If you have any questions regarding whether you should attend a session, please contact Sandy at the church at 281-651-0893.

From the Diocesan website …

Safeguarding God’s Children is a training program focused on preventing abuse of children and youth. The three-hour training is mandatory for anyone working with children and youth in Episcopal churches, schools and institutions in the Diocese of Texas. Mandatory background checks are also required (download form on Diocesan website). Certification training dates and registration forms are available on the website. The diocese will issue certificates after training has been completed. For further information, contact Janie Stevens at 713.520.6444 or jstevens@epicenter.org.

NOTICE : As of January 1, 2005, all Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teachers, leaders and directors will need to have background checks and Safeguarding God’s Children training. The background check form is found on the diocesan website: however, it is to be submitted to your church office. Please do not submit the background check form to the diocesan office as these checks are to be handled by the local congregations.  The training form is also found on the diocesan website and does need to be submitted to the appropriate persons in the diocesan office as per their instructions in order to register for training.

Cypress
St. Mary's, September 18, 9:00 - 12:30
St. Mary's, October 5, 6:30 - 10:00 pm
St. Mary's, November 6, 9:00 - 12:30

Houston
St. Dunstan’s, August 7, 9:30 – 12:30 (Many from HCEC are attending this session.)
St. Stephen’s, August 11, 9:00 – 12:00
St. Francis' Day School, August 12, 9:00 - 12:00
St. Francis, August 15, 3:00 - 6:00 pm
Emmanuel, August 21 9:00 – 12:00
Incarnation, August 21, 9:00 – 12:00
Ascension, August 28, 9:00 - 12:00
Emmanuel, October 21, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Palmer Memorial, October 23, 9:30 - 12:30

Tomball
Good Shepherd, August 9, 9:30 - 12:30

Woodlands
Trinity, August 14, 10:00 - 1:00

To register for a session, please download the registration form from the Diocesan website (www.epicenter.org/safeguarding.shtm) and send to Janie Stevens at jstevens@epicenter.org or to 3203 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX 77098 or fax to Janie at 713-520-5723. Registration deadline is 7 days before the event.