Rev Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar, writes:

This Sunday is Safeguarding Sunday and the 10.30 am Sung Eucharist will reflect this theme. We will have slightly different liturgies at certain points, as well as hearing from our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Esther Keller to enable us to engage and prayerfully reflect on the theme. Esther will have the space to share what Safeguarding is and why it’s important to have such a service in church.

Safeguarding can be a sensitive and triggering theme for some and although detailed accounts of vulnerable adults and children will not be shared, if for whatever reason you feel this service isn’t for you, please know it is okay not to attend or attend another one of our services that day.

Esther Keller, our Parish Safeguarding Officer, writes:

God cares about protecting vulnerable people, and so do we. Safeguarding Sunday, an awareness-raising campaign organised by Christian safeguarding charity Thirtyone:eight, is taking place this Sunday. St Mary Redcliffe is taking part to highlight the importance of creating safer places for all.

We will be joining thousands of other churches across the UK to share this message and demonstrate unity.

We also want to take this opportunity to thank and pray for those who have stepped up to coordinate safeguarding in our church so we can protect vulnerable people together. 

We believe that safeguarding is an outworking of our faith in a loving and just God – the God who calls us to speak up on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves and to defend the rights of the vulnerable (Proverbs 31:8). 

Justice and hope are at the heart of the Christian message. Or, as we put it at SMR, "singing the song of faith and justice".

Let’s gather and celebrate those who work behind the scenes to protect vulnerable people and make our church a safer place for all.

Please do get in touch with Esther or Laura if you have any questions.