25 October 2022
UK Churches unite in prayer to mark Safeguarding Sunday
On Sunday 20 November 2022, church leaders and Safeguarding Leads from 24 church denominations and groups across the UK will join together for Safeguarding Sunday to pray that God would help the church become a safer place for all.
Safeguarding Sunday is an annual awareness-raising campaign coordinated by the leading independent Christian safeguarding charity Thirtyone:eight, to coincide with National Safeguarding Adults Week (21–27 November) and National Safeguarding Week in Wales (16 – 20 November).
It gives churches an opportunity to show their communities that they take their safeguarding responsibility seriously, to explore together as a church what safer places look like, the theology behind safeguarding, how it fits with God’s heart for justice, and to thank all those working behind the scenes to make our churches safer places.
The theme of the campaign this year is “One church, one day, one message: protecting vulnerable people. Together.”
Amid increasing revelations of abuse taking place in church settings, keeping vulnerable people safe is more important than ever.
Peter Wright, Head of Communications and Membership at Thirtyone:eight, who has been working with the Christian Forum for Safeguarding and a range of other organisations on the campaign,said, “Issues of harm and abuse are sadly not confined to one single church denomination or group but are challenges that all expressions and traditions of Church are facing.
“In coming together in humility, to listen and learn from victims and survivors and from each other, there is hope that the church can become a safer place for all.
“Seeing these 24 church groups come together, putting aside what divides and separates, to unite in prayer as part of Safeguarding Sunday is a hugely significant step on that journey. We want to thank all those who have participated and supported with this important initiative, and we would encourage people to get their church involved.”
Churches can download the video and the Safeguarding Sunday resources by registering to take part for free at thirtyoneeight.org/safeguardingsunday.
The campaign draws on key passages from the Bible, including God’s call to protect the weak (James 1:27), speak up for those whose voices are not heard (Proverbs 31:8), follow Jesus’ example of servant leadership (Luke 22:26), and pursue God’s heart for justice for all (Micah 6:8).
Join over 2,000 churches across the UK that have already registered to take part on Sunday 20 November, to speak up for vulnerable people.
Justin Humphreys, Joint Chief Executive at Thirtyone:eight, said, “While we can’t and shouldn’t ignore abuse that has happened within the Church, of which there has been plenty of media coverage, Safeguarding Sunday is a chance to shine a light on what so many churches are doing to make places of worship safer.
“We mustn’t forget that protecting vulnerable people is at the heart of the Christian message of justice and hope.
“I want to thank everyone who is doing this vital ongoing work and taking part in this year’s campaign to raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding in their church and community.
“We mustn’t become complacent, and as the end of the Safeguarding Sunday Prayer video says, ‘Now we have prayed, may we have the courage to take action.’”
For more information and to register for free, go to thirtyoneeight.org/SafeguardingSunday