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Safe Sanctuaries Trainings 2025

Location: Multiple Options

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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

  • Sat., Aug. 23, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Sun., Aug. 24, 3 to 6 p.m.

Online registration coming soon.

Spanish Offering

Cost $15, includes class instruction and background check

  • Sat., Sept. 13, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Franklin Park: First UMC

Online registration coming soon.

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


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

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Elizabeth Stahl Named NIC Risk Manager

The Northern Illinois Conference is pleased to welcome Elizabeth Stahl as the conference's new risk manager. She begins her new role on June 2.

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Rev. Max Blalock Named North Central College Chaplain

Bishop Dan Schwerin is glad to announce the appointment of Rev. Max Blalock as the new chaplain for North Central College, Naperville, effective July 1.

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Constitutional Amendments Balloting

This June, Annual Conference voting members will consider four constitutional amendments approved by General Conference. These amendments seek to promote equity and inclusion across the den…

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In Sympathy: Helen M. Gibbons

Mrs. Helen M. Gibbons, the spouse of Rev. James Gibbons, a retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

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