Churches mark Safeguarding Sunday

Ways in which churches can help and protect vulnerable people will be the focus of this year’s Safeguarding Sunday.

From knowing how to spot and report signs of abuse to praying for all victims, the day will be a chance for congregations to think about what it means to be a safe church for everyone.

The Church in Wales is marking Safeguarding Sunday on November 17 in partnership with the Christian safeguarding organisation Thirtyone:eight. This year the theme is "Let's Talk About It", encouraging churches to be more open about its safeguarding practices.

The Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, is calling on all churches to take part.

He says, “Protecting vulnerable people is at the heart of the Christian message and that is why the Church in Wales is committed to being a ‘safe church’. Safeguarding Sunday is a chance to focus on what it means to be a safe church, to remind us that a safe church is everyone’s responsibility and to thank and pray for all those working in safeguarding. I hope all our churches will join in and mark this important day.”

Safeguarding is a golden thread that runs through church life

Wendy Lemon, the Church’s Safeguarding Manager, says the day will be a chance to ensure people know how to report any concerns they have. She says, “Safeguarding Sunday is an opportunity for churches to highlight the important work of safeguarding in our churches. It reminds us that safeguarding is a golden thread that runs through church life. It brings together our Christian purpose to protect vulnerable people with our need to pray for those in church communities who take on safeguarding responsibilities.

“We encourage churches to use the resources available from the Church in Wales and thirtyone:eight to take some time in their service on November 17 to highlight and pray for safeguarding within our churches. By the end of Safeguarding Sunday we hope people will know who their Ministry or Mission Area Safeguarding Officers are and how to report any concerns they have. We also hope that they will have been reminded that safeguarding is a central part of the Christian faith.”

It’s time to have open and honest conversations about what we’ve got wrong and what we’re getting right

The Safeguarding Sunday campaign is now in its 6th year and last year saw more than 4,000 churches from diverse backgrounds and traditions across the UK coming together to consider their safeguarding journey. Churches will reflect, and talk about, where they may have got things wrong in the past, think about how they are supporting those who have been hurt or harmed, and highlight and celebrate all the good work that is being done behind the scenes to protect vulnerable people and create safer cultures and communities for all both now and in the future.

Peter Wright, Thirtyone:eight's Head of Communications and campaign lead said, “Protecting vulnerable people from harm and speaking up for their rights is an integral part of our scriptural mandate as Christians. Sadly, the church hasn’t always done this well. But we have a chance to change that. That’s why our theme and focus for this year is – ‘Let’s talk about it’. It’s time to have open and honest conversations about what we’ve got wrong and what we’re getting right. It’s a chance to listen and talk together about how we can effectively prevent abuse and create a Church where everyone can feel and be safe.”

To take part in the campaign Churches can register for a free digital resource pack at safeguardingsunday.org which makes running a service, or part of a service, easy. It includes prayers, sermon notes, activity ideas, children’s resources and loads more.

Peter says, “Taking just one Sunday to talk about safeguarding, can have a huge impact. Whatever the tradition or style of your church, if you have just a few minutes or can dedicate a whole service it all counts. Last year over 4,000 churches united and took part. Join us and be part of this incredible movement for good."

• The resources for Safeguarding Sunday are available now in English and Welsh. Register on the thirtyone:eight website.

Find out more about the Church in Wales’ safeguarding policy, its team of officers and how to access safeguarding training