Letter about Safeguarding

As we begin this new year and in light of recent media reports regarding abuse cases and the way they have been dealt with by the Church of England we would like to make the following statement.

As a church family, we are called to reflect God’s love, care, and protection for all His children, particularly the most vulnerable among us. With this in mind, we want to take a moment to reassure you that the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults remains one of our highest priorities.

Our church leadership is deeply committed to ensuring that St Mary Redcliffe is a place where everyone feels safe, valued, and protected. To this end, we have established a robust Safeguarding Policy and rigorously maintain processes and procedures that reflect both legal requirements and best practices in safeguarding. These processes are designed to create a secure environment for all and to uphold the trust that you, as a congregation, have placed in us.

Our safeguarding procedures include:

Comprehensive Policy: We adhere to safeguarding policies that comply with the Diocese of Bristol and Church of England guidelines. This policy is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure it remains effective and current.
Training and Awareness: All staff and volunteers, who work with children and vulnerable adults undergo mandatory safeguarding training. This training equips them to recognise and respond to any concerns appropriately.
Background Checks: Every individual serving in roles involving children or vulnerable adults undergoes a thorough vetting process, including a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check
Clear Reporting Procedures: We have clear and confidential processes in place for reporting and addressing any safeguarding concerns. Esther Keller our appointed Parish Safeguarding Lead is always available to assist with any questions or concerns.
Culture of Accountability: We foster a culture of openness and accountability, encouraging everyone in our church community to speak up if they see or sense anything that does not align with our commitment to safety.

As members of our church family, we all have a role to play in ensuring the well-being of children and vulnerable adults in our care. If you ever have a concern, no matter how small it may seem, please do not hesitate to bring it to our attention. We are here to listen and to act with care and discretion.

We are grateful for your trust and partnership as we work together to create a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment for all. Let us continue to pray for wisdom, vigilance, and God’s guidance as we strive to reflect His love and protection.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for this vital aspect of our ministry. May we remain united in our mission to honour Christ in all we do.

All the best,

Canon Dan Tyndall Esther Keller

Vicar of St Mary Redcliffe Church Parish Safeguarding Officer

Tel: 0776 929 6220 Tel: Tel:07811723427.

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Sermon on Sunday,10th August 2025

By matthew.buckmaster • August 10, 2025

Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar

Interregnum Information

By Laura.Verrall-Kelly • August 7, 2025

Keeping You Updated During the Interregnum As I prepare to go on maternity leave at the end of August, I want to share some important updates regarding our Sunday Services and communication during the Interregnum period. We’ve taken time to consider what is sustainable and meaningful in this season of transition, and while some of the changes have been difficult, they are intended to ensure we can continue to worship together well. Service Changes 8am BCP Eucharist We’ve made the difficult decision to pause this service during the vacancy, following a PCC vote (with 3 votes against). This is due to the limited availability of clergy to cover two Eucharist services on a Sunday. We’re grateful that this decision has allowed us to secure strong cover for the other services. If you’re looking for an early service, the Cathedral offers Morning Prayer at 7.40am and BCP Eucharist at 8am. This change to the 8am will happen from the beginning of October. Mattins & Evensong These will continue with support from a growing team of Lay Leaders. If you're interested in helping lead, please speak to Simon Goodman. Please note: bespoke online orders of service will no longer be produced weekly. Instead, we will use a standard booklet and hymn book in church. Online viewers will receive a standard order of service plus a document with Bible readings and hymns. 10.30am Sung Eucharist Some small changes are being made to simplify things for visiting clergy: Notices will be read by a Church Warden, Duty Warden or Church Representative Communion distribution will return to queue formation A Gradual Hymn will replace the Responsorial Psalm - there is simply not the resource to produce a weekly or termly Psalm hand out in church. We’ll use a standard “Eucharist during the Vacancy” order of service (in booklet form), with hymn books provided in church. As with other services, online resources will mirror this setup. These changes to the 10.30am will happen from the 17th August. Christingle Service Due to the scale of this service and the planning it requires, we’ve made the difficult decision to pause it this year. Without full-time clergy to oversee preparations and lead the service, we don’t believe we can deliver it safely or well. We know this will be disappointing, but this service will be back. Ongoing Communication Thanks to Chris Duncan and Sam Love, we will continue to send out a weekly email during the Interregnum. I’m very grateful to both of them for stepping up to support in this way. We know some of these decisions may not affect everyone, while others may feel them more deeply. We don’t expect universal agreement, and that’s okay — your questions and thoughts are welcome and valued. All we ask is that feedback is offered with kindness and respect for those who have worked hard to make these plans in a short space of time. Thank you for being part of this community and for your ongoing support as we navigate this together.