Skip to Main Content

Safe Sanctuaries Trainings 2025

Location: Multiple Options

2022 Safe Sanctuaries Banner
2023 Safe Sanctuaries Flyer

Safe Sanctuaries® is an overt expression in making congregations safe places where children, youth, and elders may experience the abiding love of God and fellowship within the community of faith. Safe Sanctuaries® is a “social structure that is consistent with the gospel” allowing our sanctuaries, classrooms, mission encounters, camps, retreats, and all spaces where we gather to worship and serve God to be places of trust.

Learn more about Safe Sanctuaries


Upcoming 2025 Northern Illinois Conference Trainings

Online Via Zoom

Cost $15, includes class instruction and background check

Attendance for all three hours of class and background check passed before completion certificate is issued.

Spanish Offering Sat., Sept. 13, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Franklin Park: First UMC  Event Postponed - Registrants will receive information about rescheduling.- Learn more.


Is your Church interested in hosting an in-person Safe Sanctuaries training?

 Contact Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer for more information.


Looking for an online individual option?

The Northern Illinois Conference partners with Safe Gatherings as an individual online training option.

Safe Gatherings is an online abuse prevention program that screens and educates staff and volunteers to help prevent abuse of children, youth, and vulnerable adults in group settings. When using Safe Gatherings, upon successful completion of the application, background and reference checks, and the online training program, each applicant will receive documentation of approval valid for three years, and will have continued access to the online training program for an entire year. Screening includes obtaining background checks and professional references. The $35 training is comprehensive, and applicants may complete the online training modules at their own pace. The training typically takes about 2 hours to complete and are offered in english or spanish.

Learn more about Safe Gatherings

News & Announcements

Planting

Learn to Start a Green Team and More at Creation Care Summit, May 2

A Creation-Care Summit on May 2, 9 a.m. to noon, will teach how to engage one's community, build green teams, reduce energy bills, and plant native plants.

Hopechernich

Laity Convocation Offers Many Reasons to Hope

"Moving Forward with Hope," this year's Laity Convocation held on March 21, featured a presentation on taking risks to help immigrant neighbors, Bishop Schwerin's exhortations on h…

Storiesmatter

Communications Audit Seeks Church Members' Input

To disseminate conference and denominational news and information more effectively, the Northern Illinois Conference is undergoing a communications audit. Big Heart Creative of…

2026kalynandmiriam

Teens through Adults Ignited for Ministry

About 80 people attended Ignite, North Central Jurisdiction's March 13-15 event to help those hearing a call to ministry discover opportunities and consider where God is leading them.

Print