Safe Ministry

Our safe ministry commitment

 

Gymea Anglican Church is committed to the physical, emotional and spiritual welfare and safety of all
people, particularly within its own community. To ensure the safety of children and vulnerable
people in our communities, Gymea Anglican, in conjunction with the Anglican Church of
Australia, will:
 

• Carefully recruit and train its clergy and church workers,

• Adopt and encourage safe ministry practices by its clergy and church workers,

• Respond promptly to each concern raised about the behaviour of its clergy and church workers,

• Offer pastoral support to any person who has suffered abuse, and

• Provide supervision of and pastoral accountability (within the context of the ministries, locations and activities of the parish) to any person (who is a member of a congregation and) who is known to have abused a child or another vulnerable person.

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Our screening and training of leaders

 

Leaders of ministry to children and young people at Gymea Anglican complete the following:

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• A Safe Ministry Check and assessment with the Senior Minister or his delegate

• Obtain a WWCC clearance that is verified by the parish,

• Safe Ministry training prior to undertaking ministry to children, followed by a Refresher course every three years, and regular review of our local leadership guidelines.

• Read, understand, and comply with Faithfulness in Service.

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safe ministry blueprints

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The Safe Ministry Blueprint for Parents and Church Members contains detailed information about our processes for ensuring ministry remains safe and enjoyable for all.

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CLICK HERE for our Safe Ministry Blueprints. 

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Family Engagement policy

 

Gymea Anglican has a strong commitment to being a Church that is welcome and accessible to every person who seeks to join us. We value this because we know and cherish that every individual bears the image of God.
 

The purpose of this policy is to enable every member of our church family to flourish and thrive in our ministries, by establishing an inclusive, gospel-focused environment for all children and young people. The policy assists our ministry team in understanding any specific needs families may have so we can serve, support and ensure the fruitful participation of all children and young people in the life of our church. It also outlines our process for maintaining positive relationships and expectations.
 

Additionally, the policy assists Gymea Anglican to fulfil several diocesan and legislative obligations. These include:

● ongoing compliance with the Faithfulness in Service code (in particular, 5.1)
● maintaining a Safe Environment (as outlined in the Safe Ministry Training program)
● implementing the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian’s Child Safe Standards (notably standards 1, 4, 5 and 10)
● responsibilities arising from the NSW Work Health and Saftey Act 2011
● responsibilities arising from the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination
Act 1992
● continuing learnings from the Disability Royal Commission.

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CLICK HERE to download and read the Family Engagement Policy

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CONTACT

 

If you have questions or concerns about the way ministry among children and young people is conducted at Gymea Anglican Church, please contact: 

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David Fell - Senior Minister (davidfell@gymeaanglican.org.au)

Olivia Robson - Safe Ministry Representative (oliviarobson@gymeaanglican.org.au)