St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
Ayer, Massachusetts

Faith, Community, and Love

Safe Church Policy

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church - Ayer, Massachusetts

Safe Church Policy

"All of us share in the responsibility for making our church a safe haven for all people." (Bishop Shaw's Message, Safe Church Practices for Congregations, Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, June 2003). The purpose of this policy is to help St. Andrew's continue to provide such a safe haven. To that end:


I. Safe Church Training

Within one year of commencement of service as a Warden, vestry member, Lay Eucharistic Minister B, youth or acolyte leader, choir director, church school teacher, volunteer working at St. Andrew's on a regular basis or employee of St. Andrew's, such person will attend Safe Church Training which shall include the following areas:

  • Power in Ministry
  • Vulnerability
  • Boundaries
  • Harassment & Exploitation
  • Abuse and Violence
  • Response and Healing
  • Diocesan Policies and Procedures

provided that, at the Rector's discretion, any person who has had training substantially covering the foregoing matters may be exempted from this requirement. Safe Church Training pursuant to this Section I may take place at the church or at any other convenient location where a qualified trainer is available, or by way of an appropriately authorized or recommended video tape or DVD. In addition, all mandated reporters (clergy and paid employees) and volunteers who work in the parish will be provided a summary of current child abuse statues and reporting requirements.


II. Employment Practices

  • All applicants for paid positions will complete and sign a written application requiring at least two references and authorizing the conduct of background checks.

  • References will be checked.

  • Background checks will be conducted on all such applicants, using Massachusetts criminal offender record information (CORI) and the Oxford Document Management Company.

  • At the discretion of the Rector certain volunteers may be required to complete and sign a written application which, inter alia, authorizes the conduct of a background check.

  • No applicant who has a history of abusing children or a criminal conviction for any sexual offense, murder or kidnapping or for physical abuse of a minor will be accepted.

  • Funds for required background checks will be provided for in the church's annual budget.

III. Prevention Practices

The following practices will be followed in connection with the church school and any youth programs wherever possible. Necessary exceptions will be reported to the Rector's office.

  • At least two adults will be present in groups of children.

  • Doors to rooms in which children are present will be left open or have a clear glass window through which activity in the room can be seen.

  • Doors will not be locked.

  • If children are to be taken off premises or driven home or to an outside event, two or more adults will accompany them.

  • Children should not be left alone. Adult leaders should stay with all children at the conclusion of an activity until every child has been picked up.

  • Children will not be exposed to illegal, illicit, sexual or secretive activities or pornographic materials.

  • No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs will be brought to, or consumed during, any church-related activity for children.

For purposes of this Policy, the words "child" and "children" shall include any member of a youth group or participant in a youth activity of the parish.


IV. Boundary Guidelines for Laity and Clergy

  • Lay leadership and clergy will establish and maintain boundaries among themselves and with others in the congregation, with a particular concern for the vulnerability of some parties and possible abuse of power by others. Inappropriate physical or emotional relationships will not be tolerated.

  • Sexual harassment will not be tolerated.

V. Child, Domestic and Elder Abuse

  • Individuals required by Section I to attend Safe Church Training will be taught techniques for recognizing physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect of children. They will also be attentive to indications of domestic and elder abuse and neglect.

  • Any suspected case of child, domestic or elder abuse or neglect will be reported to the Rector or a Warden, and the matter will be handled in accordance with Diocesan policies and the legal requirements of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The contact information for the Department of Social Services will be posted where it will be readily available to the Rector, the Wardens and any mandated reporter.

  • The church will prepare and post in an appropriate place a list of resources in the community which provide services to people at risk, such as battered women's shelters, elder service agencies and rape crisis centers.

VI. Fire Safety

  • There will be a written plan for reporting and evacuation in case of a fire or other emergency.

  • Paid and volunteer staff will be trained in the evacuation plan, and an annual drill will be held at the beginning of each church school year.

  • Fire extinguishers, emergency lights, and smoke detectors will be inspected annually and serviced as necessary.

  • Fire protocols will be posted on the walls in the Parish Hall, including the basement, and in all rooms in the Rectory.

VII. Health Safety

  • When church school is in session, there will be at least one adult on hand who is trained in Red Cross First Aid and Infant/Child CPR. This person should hold a valid current card.

  • There will be one first aid kit in every building. The first aid kits will be maintained and well stocked.

  • There will be a list of all church school students with current contact phone numbers for their responsible adults.

VIII. Building Safety

  • All hallways and stairways will be kept clear of debris and impediments. Stair treads and railings will be maintained.

  • Cleaning supplies and hazardous materials will be stored in child-proof cabinets.

  • Hot surfaces (radiators, steam pipes, etc.) will have protective covers.

  • Electrical panel circuits will be clearly marked and electrical outlets protected with "baby covers".

  • An accessible operational telephone will be available whenever a building is in use.

IX. Posting of Rules

  • These Safe Church Rules will be posted in a prominent place in the Parish Hall and the Rectory.

Adopted by a unanimous vote of St. Andrew's Vestry, 15 January 2008.