Sunday 11th October - Safeguarding Sunday
Good Morning & welcome all to our Sunday Gathering - in church AND ONLINE
Safeguarding Sunday is about raising awareness of all that we do to create safer places in our churches.
This morning’s service comes from Saint Stephen’s will be leading the service this morning with, music, readings & prayers and the talk from our Parish Safeguarding Officers, Liz and Catherine. All streamed Live on Facebook at 10:30am.
Our bible readings for today are Isaiah 49:13-16 and Matthew 18:1-5.
As we are now streaming the live service from church you may just wish to enjoy watching and listening to the words (liturgy). At Holy Trinity you will be able to follow the church screen at times but this is not possible at Saint Stephen’s. If you would prefer to follow along more closely please download the service booklet linked below.
If you are watching from home and missing seeing people from church, is there someone you can make contact with to see if they fancy joining you for a chat on WhatsApp / Zoom / Facetime or the telephone after the Live Stream service? Grab a coffee and have a catch up much like you would in church on a Sunday morning. If you are not sure who you could make contact with please speak to Vicar Lee or one of the churchwardens (Dave, Jeanette, Maria or Alan) and we will see what we can arrange for you.
Update - a recording of the service has been added below:
JUNIOR & SMALL CHURCH
This week we have a link to resources to help communicate something of the safeguarding message to children, with Roarry from thirtyone:eight. Roarry is a Ranger, a guide, who protects people by giving good advice about what to do when things don’t look or feel right. He wants the world to be a safe place, where everyone can play, learn and worship together safely.
You will also find more useful links for families on the Junior & Small Church Resources page.
Safeguarding in the Diocese of Bristol
Safeguarding is of the utmost importance to the Diocese of Bristol.
Our church communities aim to be safe and welcoming places for all, with Christ at their centre. The Diocese of Bristol continues to strive to create places and spaces where all are safe and protected from abuse, all can be healed and all can live life to the full.
For our closing prayer this Sunday
Safeguarding Sunday Prayer
Loving Father God,
We come to you in the knowledge that you hold all your children in unconditional love.
We lift to you those who are vulnerable and in need of protection.
Give them your safety, comfort and peace.
We cry to you for those who are hurting and whose trust has been broken.
Give them your healing, restoration and justice.
We bring to you those who seek to forgive others who have hurt them.
Give them your strength, courage and hope.
For those who have caused your children to stumble,
lead them to seek your forgiveness and to enter into true repentance.
Thank you for all who give their time, knowledge, and skills to make our communities safer.
Give them your wisdom, guidance and grace.
For ourselves, we ask you to give us your heart for the vulnerable, the oppressed, the voiceless and the forgotten. Help us to see them as you see them; to value them as you value them, and to nurture and protect them as you desire.
Help each one of us play our part in creating safer places for all your people.
In your name we pray,
Amen
