Dear Friends,

Several times each year we participate in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation. In the renewal of our baptismal vows we promise to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.”

The people of Christ Church fulfill this promise well. And now, I’m asking you to fulfill this promise in a new and important way. This is through the Safe Sanctuary Ministry. Safe Sanctuary is our ministry to ensure that the youngest in our community are treated with the dignity and respect we all deserve as God’s children. All persons who work with youth or children at Christ Church under the age of eighteen are asked to register to have a standard background check performed. The first step is to fill out THIS FORM  and return it to Kathy Nunn, Director of Parish Operations, in the church office.

I’m sure you have some questions about instituting background checks at Christ Church. Let me answer a few.

What is the complete process? Please see"PROCEDURE" portion of the form. 

Why should we do background checks, and why now? More and more, background checks are standard operating procedure in churches and schools to protect our youth and children. No incident whatsoever has precipitated this initiative. Christ Church is a safe place. This is a proactive measure. As well, it is Diocesan policy for churches to require backgrounds checks for those who work with youth and children; the Vestry has endorsed a policy to put this procedure into place; and now is as good a time as any to begin.

Who has to have a background check? Anyone who is a part of ministry with youth or children under the age of eighteen.

How will my personal information be protected? Completed forms with social security numbers will be stored in a locked file cabinet. No one except for Kathy Nunn, Director of Parish Operations will see the results of a background check. For more information, please see the attached procedure outline.

What information will Christ Church receive in a background check? A background check will indicate convictions for felony incidents and sexual offenses only. They are run through the state police department. The background check will not report traffic violations, a credit check, or any personal financial information.

This is an important work to keep Christ Church a safe place. Both the Youth Ministry Team and Children’s Ministry Team support this initiative. To signify their support, they have offered to be the first people to complete their background checks. Now, we are asking the rest of us who work with youth and children to follow their lead.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to address them to Kathy Nunn at 364-0394 or k.nunn@christchurchrichmond.com. Thank you in advance for your cooperation, leadership, and willingness to be part of keeping Christ Church the safe and welcoming community it already is.

Blessings to you, and I bid you God’s grace and peace.

Faithfully,

Paul