St. James United Methodist Church updated our policy to protect children, youth and vulnerable adults. This policy also serves to protect those who serve, work and minister with protected persons. Every adult who works with children, youth or vulnerable adults must be Safe Gatherings certified
The church’s Safe Gatherings Policy requires volunteers who have regular, direct contact with any “protected person” at a church sponsored event (on-site or off campus) to complete the Safe Gatherings certification process. Protected people are children under the age of 18 and vulnerable adults who may be unable to care for or protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation due to mental or other disability, age, or illness.
Safe Gatherings is a program developed by the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church to screen and train staff and volunteers. Requirements include an online application, electronic reference checks, four levels of background checks (including county of residence), completion of online video training, and regular re-certification. There is no cost to volunteers for background checks and Safe Gatherings certification.
Each applicant must submit the name of one clergy reference that the applicant has known for at least two years.
St. James requires adult volunteers must have six continuous months of regular online or in-person worship or service to the Church prior to applying for certification. Volunteers who are not regular attendees or who are under 18 years of age must always be visually supervised when serving protected people.
Please note that if you have been certified within the past three years, you do not need to be re-certified. Simply renew your certification when it expires. To determine if your certification is current, contact Kim Anderson at 501-217-6708 or kim@stjameslr.org.
Click here for instructions on how to navigate and complete Safe Gatherings. .
Safe Gatherings is a program developed by the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church to screen and train staff and volunteers. Requirements include an online application, electronic reference checks, four levels of background checks (including county of residence), completion of online video training, and regular re-certification. There is no cost to volunteers for background checks and Safe Gatherings certification.
Each applicant must submit the name of one clergy reference that the applicant has known for at least two years.
St. James requires adult volunteers must have six continuous months of regular online or in-person worship or service to the Church prior to applying for certification. Volunteers who are not regular attendees or who are under 18 years of age must always be visually supervised when serving protected people.
Please note that if you have been certified within the past three years, you do not need to be re-certified. Simply renew your certification when it expires. To determine if your certification is current, contact Kim Anderson at 501-217-6708 or kim@stjameslr.org.
Click here for instructions on how to navigate and complete Safe Gatherings. .
Select the following from the dropdown menus:
Type of Organization: Church or Faith-Based Organization
Denomination: Methodist
Next field type in: St. James Little Rock
Continue with the instructions on the screen
When it asks for applicant type, please select “Volunteer”
Once you have registered and given the details of your references, you will be able to take the course.
When you have completed the online course and the background check, and your references have filled out the forms that will be emailed to them, you and St. James UMC will be notified that you have completed all that is required and you will officially be Safe Gatherings Certified.
If you suspect abuse, we encourage you to
confidentially report this information HERE or Call the Abuse Hotline at 1-800-843-6349.
Type of Organization: Church or Faith-Based Organization
Denomination: Methodist
Next field type in: St. James Little Rock
Continue with the instructions on the screen
When it asks for applicant type, please select “Volunteer”
Once you have registered and given the details of your references, you will be able to take the course.
When you have completed the online course and the background check, and your references have filled out the forms that will be emailed to them, you and St. James UMC will be notified that you have completed all that is required and you will officially be Safe Gatherings Certified.
If you suspect abuse, we encourage you to
confidentially report this information HERE or Call the Abuse Hotline at 1-800-843-6349.