Safeguarding Sunday Statement
Our Vicar, Revd Graham Hunter, made a statement on behalf of the PCC Standing Committee on Safeguarding Sunday to reflect on the resignation this week of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the importance of safeguarding in our church.
The resignation of the Most Revd Justin Welby, in response to failures in safeguarding during his time as Archbishop of Canterbury, signals that responsibility for the safety and safeguarding of individuals extends to the highest authority.
This is a painful time for many involved with the situation, and our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with survivors and all whose lives have been permanently impacted by heinous abuse, inadequate responses to disclosures and institutional failings. During this time of upheaval, we also pray for healing and grace for all those affected and also pray that this moment will grow opportunities for renewal and a safer Church.
Here at St John’s Hoxton, we recognise that no one individual can be responsible for the creation of a safe culture, it is a shared responsibility and the responsibility of us all. However, to help us collectively exercise this responsibility we also have a designated Church Safeguarding Officer and the PCC and ministry team do all we can to promote a safe environment and culture. You can learn more about our safeguarding policy by visiting sjh.org.uk/safeguarding or by speaking to any of the ministry team or PCC.
Doreen is our Church Safeguarding Officer, and she is responsible for making sure that everyone involved in the mission and ministry of our church has appropriate training, as well as for ensuring that everyone recruited to any leadership position of trust has proper references and checks. Along with me, she also responds to any concerns or incidents that are raised within our congregation or ministries.
We want to make it as easy as possible for people to access support and help. There are information posters in the toilets and noticeboards, as well as information on our website. If you have a concern or query, you can speak to me or Doreen in the first instance, or you can send an email, report a concern through the website, or even phone and leave a voicemail.
If you have any questions about any of this, please do speak to me or Doreen.
But for now, let’s pray:
May the doors of this church be wide enough
to receive all who come seeking God and fellowship.May the doors of this church be narrow enough
to shut out pettiness and pride, envy and enmity.May the threshold of this church be no stumbling block
to young or frail feet.May the threshold of this church be too high
to admit complacency and self-seeking.May this church be, for all who enter,
a safe place and the doorway to a richer life in Christ.
Amen
Our Bishop, Rt Revd Dr Joanne Grenfell (also lead bishop for Safeguarding int he Church of England) also sent a pastoral letter to the people of our churches in Stepney. You can read this HERE.