We all have a part to play in helping create safer spaces, particularly within the church. Irene Dancer is the Parish Safeguarding Officer at St Giles Church, Farnborough.
It’s a role she felt God was particularly calling her to do based on her gifts and skills.
I’ve always been an educationalist at heart and will forever be a teacher, even though I’m now enjoying retirement.
I came to faith in my twenties while working in a Church of England school. Back then, I didn’t know what faith was, but have subsequently come to believe that God knew where I needed to be at that particular time.
He knew I was searching for the missing puzzle piece in my life. I found it at that school, in the people who worked there and the way they lived their lives. I started to attend church and wanted to be part of a Christian community.
When I retired, I was approached to take on the role of Family and Children’s Worker, including leading the Sunday school, it didn’t take me too long to decide, yes, I can do that. I knew it would give me the opportunity to use my organisational and teaching skills and experience to support families in church in the service of God.
One of the first things I asked when taking on the role was, “where’s the Safeguarding Policy?” I was shown a piece of paper on a notice board but said, “OK, but where’s the policy?
Safeguarding just wasn’t on the agenda then but, as a previous Deputy Head, I knew it should be and, somehow, found myself appointed as the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) for our two churches!
Being the PSO isn’t easy. There are many challenges, but my faith and the belief that this is the role God wants for me, supports and sustains me.
After all, what could be more important than the safety and welfare of children and vulnerable adults?
What is more important to God than our churches being places of safety and refuge? Only then can we truly be free to follow Him.
You could say, I’ve found my niche, in the roles I’ve taken on. That’s true, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I’ve found myself doing these things.
God knows us, our strengths and weaknesses and he calls us to serve others:
“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received”. (1 Peter 4:10)
In the roles I’ve taken on, I feel I am answering God’s call.
#SafeguardingSunday