Providing a safe environment for children, vulnerable adults and everyone for that matter is what the important ministry of Screening in Faith is all about. To help parishes implement this protocol I am going to use the example of how I will need to be screened before I begin a volunteer ministry at St. James' church in Kingston.

I used to only worship at St. James' Church which put me in a low risk category. Once in awhile I preached which some might argue was high risk but my position at St. James ‘did not place me in a position of trust or contact with children.

But now I have volunteered to take Holy Communion to seniors in their homes and as a result I am now in a position of high risk. I have not changed but my position has. I think the mantra, it is not the person but the position is very useful in implementing the screening protocol.

Before I begin my new ministry the following steps will need to be done.

1. As I am new to the parish(less than a year) I will need to send a reference from my former parish.
2. Fill out a protocol application form and provide a list of three references
3. Receive a ministry description for my position. If one does not exist then the parish will need to prepare one
4. Be interviewed by the person who is responsible for my ministry
5. Be trained for the position ( I have been doing this for 22 years so I may not need much training but perhaps St. James’ has unique expectations I should know about)
6. Attend a sexual misconduct awareness training session. ( I have been to about 15 in the last year)
7. Provide a police record check no older than one year. I recently updated mine.
8. Receive the appropriate guidelines for my ministry

When I begin my work I will have to document all one on one visits I engage in and report to my supervisor for feedback, mentoring and support ( over lunch would be nice)

I am looking forward to my volunteer work and I am pleased to be screened as a way to make sure the diocese provides the very best care and love we can offer to those in our congregations.

I hope this is helpful for you as you do this important work.