Re-Gathering Protocols for Stage Two

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As restrictions on gatherings begin to ease, youth groups and Confirmation classes are wondering about finding ways to gather in person. This is a reasonable instinct; the importance of social interaction during the adolescent years can’t be overstated. That said, if congregations decide to gather groups of middle and high school students together, it must be done in the safest possible way.

The A Journey By Stages guidelines, assembled by the dioceses of Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts, provide a wealth of helpful information. Complimenting these guidelines, expanded protocols were issued August 6 to supplement and seek to clarify how the guidelines for small group meetings apply to youth ministry gatherings during Stage Two. 

As you start thinking about what your youth ministry gatherings will look like for the 2020-2021 year, we ask that you use your best judgement and consult these protocols, for the health and safety of everyone invoved.

Safeguarding in Digital Space

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In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, much of ministry has moved online. Though this shift offers great opportunities for fun and innovation, as well as a chance to highlight the expertise and abilities of those not traditionally in positions of leadership, there have been a lot of questions about how to adapt the model policies for safeguarding our children to digital media. The world of livestreamed services, Zoom meetings, and group chats has different strengths than the “analog” version of youth ministry that most of us are used to, but it also has blind spots, vulnerabilities, and areas of confusion. It’s likely to take us a long time to figure out how to best do youth ministry remotely.

However, there are already a few great resources out there. Sarah Stonesifer Boylan from Lifelong Learning at VTS has made a short video with best practices for Zoom meetings. The Diocese of California’s creating church online page also has some important reminders about safety in online ministry, as well as some livestreaming and liturgy resources.

These resources have been incredibly valuable and informative for us, and we highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with them. However, if you don’t have the time to read through all of them, or just need something quick to pass on to mentors or parents, most of our best practices can be boiled down to two guidelines. 

The spirit of all safeguarding rules still apply. In particular, note: 

  1. Follow the Rule of Three, and do not meet one-on-one with a young person if you cannot be observed by a third party. This includes Zoom meetings, text conversations, and phone calls.

  2. Do not publish images of minors along with their full names, and obtain written consent from a parent or guardian before publishing images at all. “Publishing,” in this context, includes any sort of livestreaming.  It also includes posting those fun “Brady Bunch” screenshots of your virtual youth group meeting. 

Be deliberate about how you use Zoom and other videoconferencing technologies

  1. There are many adjustments that can be made in Zoom that will help keep all participants safe: enabling a “Waiting Room” in your meeting can prevent you from ending up in an accidental one-on-one, turning off screen-sharing for anyone but the host ensures that no one can accidentally or intentionally share inappropriate or embarrassing content— the list goes on and on. 

  2. Take time to familiarize yourself with privacy and sharing settings, and be deliberate in the choices you make with these settings.

Finally, discussing these measures openly with young people, and making it clear why we are taking these steps, is a great way to invite them to take ownership of their own safety online.


Thank you for working to ensure the safety of our young people as we adapt to this new way of being. If you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the the Rev. H. Mark Smith.

Connected Together from DioATL

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In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, youth workers and other church leaders are scrambling to find ways of staying connected, and bringing comfort and community to those who are sick, isolated, and anxious.

Today, we’d like to highlight the Diocese of Atlanta’s Connected Together page, a hub of useful information for online gathering, broken into categories for Online Worship, Children and Youth Formation, Individual Prayer, Online Stewardship, and Communication and Connection.

Some of these resources are specific to the Diocese of Atlanta, and may be less relevant to you. However, many (particularly on the Children and Youth Formation list) are directly helpful, and all the lists are well-curated, concise, and relevant.

We hope these resources will be of use to you in this time of uncertainty and adjustment.

New Model Policy for Safeguarding our Children & Young People

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In April 2018, a task force of the Episcopal Church released an updated "Model Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth" . The group also wrote a " Model Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults ." This work was launched in 2015 by a resolution of General Convention, and over the next 2 and a half years, experts and practitioners from around the country worked on the update.

These model policies are grounded in Episcopal theology and baptismal promises to respect the dignity of every human being and dismantle unjust systems. They begin with a theological statement and include provisions for use of social media, mission trips, pilgrimages, camp and conference center programs, and other overnight events.

From the new model policy: "Ministry involves a necessary tension between a Gospel-based integrity and a Gospel-based intimacy as modeled by the life of Christ. A rigid adherence to a system of rules leads to an unproductive legalism. Yet, without the framework of the law, the intimate relationships into which Christ calls us risk distortion and harm. All the people of God are called to minister attentively within this tension. These model policies are intended to provide a pattern for attentive practice of ministry."

Among the most significant improvements, the new policies include definitions that reflect our current understanding of gender identity and sexuality, including Cisgender, Gender Non-binary, LGBTQ+, and Transgender, as well as provisions to enhance the understanding, welcoming and safety of all gender identities and expressions.

The Model Policies include enough detail to support those with limited experience to implement best practices and should prove a valuable resource for any congregation seeking to update their own policies and practices.

Our Favorite Sites for Youth Workers, Youth Leaders, and Families

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cultureandyouth.org
This website, the result of an ongoing partnership between Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Boston's Emmanuel Gospel Center, seeks to serve youth ministers, mentors, and other youth workers at the grass-roots level and hopes to encourage discussion of rather than division over complex and sometimes controversial issues.

Among the resources on the site is a vast "Infopedia" of articles on everything from depression and immigration to sexting and white privilege.  The articles include information on a given topic plus discussion questions and implications for action.  The site also includes links to other regional, national, and international organizations and informational clearinghouses.

Working with Youth on the Autism Spectrum 
The Rev. Rebecca Black has developed some training materials through her work with Rhythms of Grace.  Her hope is to help prepare churches to work with youth on the Autism spectrum.  For a sample of the materials available check out at the "Tips for Youth Group Leaders" and "What Churches Can Do".

BuildFaith

Buildfaith.org, a product of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary, contains a wealth of articles and resources on Christian education and formation for children, young people, and adults. Articles are written by ministers, lay and ordained, in a variety of settings, and are thoughtful, helpful, and well-organized.

Youth Specialties
A website designed for predominantly evangelical/ large church Youth Ministers, it hosts a huge amount of information-- some of which will be applicable to Episcopal Churches, and some of which will not be. However, there is some good information out there, especially if you have a large church youth group.

Episcopal Church Resources

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New Model Policy for Safeguarding our Children & Young People
In April 2018, a task force of the Episcopal Church released an updated "Model Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth" . The group also wrote a " Model Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults ." This work was launched in 2015 by a resolution of General Convention, and over the next 2 and a half years, experts and practitioners from around the country worked on the update.

Digital Communication and Social Media Guidelines
Published by the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts and updated in 2017, this document provides guidance to clergy and congregational leadership in their use of digital/electronic technology and social media.

TED Talk Lenten Study
This curriculum was developed by the Diocese of Massachusetts Office of Youth Ministry and isn't just for Lent, but instead can be used during any 5-session program in which you want to use engaging TED Talks and Scripture to invite youth (and adults) to wonder about what God is asking from them.  Download HERE.

Episcopal Church Youth Ministry
Information, resources and news about youth from the denomination (formerly known as the 'National Church').

d365.org
Daily devotions set to music, with reflections and questions suitable for youth and adults!

My Faith, My Life
A guide to the Episcopal Church for teens and their families and mentors. Great resources, reflections and information about upcoming workshops-- the basis for the website is the book, My Faith, My Life, which has been used for Confirmation curricula.