We commit ourselves to creating a safe place for children and vulnerable adults. This means we ensure that background checks are done on all Sunday School teachers, clergy, acolyte supervisors, choir directors, youth chaperones, and any person who 
takes communion to a person unable to come to church. Not only that, they must have completed the 3-hour Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota’s Safe Church Training program. A smaller version of that training program is presented to all the parents in September, so we are all working together to create a safe place for everyone.
All of our classrooms, choir spaces, and offices have doors with glass windows. For the most part, St. Mary’s meetings for children or youth don’t happen in private homes, (there are some pre-authorized exceptions, such as bbqs, with plenty of adult supervision).
We encourage parents to have a facebook page of their own and befriend their young people; we have an official Saint Mary’s FaceBook Page. We have a special Youth Group Web Page.
We have procedures in place for reporting and dealing with accusations of abuse of any sort. The vestry (governing body) and all staff have completed Safe Church Training and background checks as well.
To read key elements of our Safe Church Policy go to Saint Mary’s Guidelines for Safe Church
Safe Church Policy Episcopal Church MN-10.13.2012 (This is the complete policy for Safe Church for The Episcopal Church in MN)
In short, we do all we can think of to make sure St. Mary’s is a comfortable, safe place for all generations to be in relationship.
Visit The Episcopal Church of Minnesota for a schedule of Safe Church training events; register specifically for training for Safeguarding God’s Children.