Safe Gatherings & CongregationU
The Northeastern Iowa Synod is committed to ensuring that we provide safe places of worship and fellowship to everyone we serve. As part of that commitment, we are providing “Safe Gatherings” as the resource for your church in this important area.
Safe Gatherings is an online abuse prevention program that screens and trains clergy, staff and volunteers to help prevent abuse of children, youth, and vulnerable adults in group settings. When employees and volunteers are trained to identify potential abusers, recognize the signs of abuse and know how to handle reporting, they are better equipped to prevent abuse.
How It Works
Upon successful completion of the Safe Gatherings application, background and reference checks, and 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 one year.
The price per applicant for the program customized for the Northeastern Iowa Synod is $45 for Rostered Leaders and staff, and $37 for volunteers due to different levels of background checks. The price includes processing of two electronic references, a national background check, county background checks (for all US counties of residence on record for the past 7 years for Rostered Leaders and staff, and current county of residence for volunteers), sex offender registry check, and the 2-hour online abuse prevention and boundary awareness training.
Get Started
Congregations in the Northeastern Iowa Synod are already set up within the Safe Gatherings system; however, each congregation must complete a one-time setup process with Safe Gatherings before the first person from your congregation registers for the training. Contact the Safe Gatherings team at 888-241-8258 to complete this process. After that, your applicants will be able to follow the links below to begin their Safe Gatherings approval process.
Contact the Safe Gatherings team at [email protected] or call 888-241-8258 with questions or for additional information.
When applicants begin the application process, they will need to select:
- Language Preference (English or Spanish)
- Type of Organization (Church or Faith Based Organization)
- Denomination (Lutheran)
- State where their church is located
In the next field, they will begin typing any part of your organization name, (ex: Good Shepherd), and a list will appear in a dropdown menu from which they will select the organization name where they are seeking approval to serve.
Individuals can login to their account at any time to check the status of their application.
Each church will have access to an administrative dashboard within Safe Gatherings that allows you to monitor who from the church is currently approved for service.
After you complete your registration, LOGIN HERE.
CongregationU provides more than 40 online courses on practical topics relevant to your church or faith-based organization. Topics include human resources, security and safety, risk management, health and wellness, and more. Several courses are also available in Spanish.
Rooftop pricing enables your church or organization to cost-effectively train everyone in your congregation, including leaders, volunteers and members. Pricing is based on average weekly attendance. This option provides unlimited uses of each of the courses included in the rooftop package. Because the Northeastern Iowa Synod is a Safe Gatherings enterprise account, you will also receive a 20 percent discount on the purchase of the rooftop package.
Set Up Account and Purchase Courses
Click here to set up an account and purchase training courses.
Contact the CongregationU team at [email protected] or (866)862-5855 for additional information or with questions.
S.A.F.E. Ministry Team
Synodical Advocates Focused on Education, Prevention and Healing of Sexual Abuse
Values
- Safety for all God’s people in congregations
- Dignity of all who come to our congregations as God’s children
- Education for all God’s children in raising awareness of the need for written policies and procedures
- Promotion of healthy congregations
- Focus on communication, prevention, response, advocacy, healing, reconciliation and being proactive
Purpose
- Support and educate congregations and leaders, and help them implement SAFE Ministry Team projects and programs.
Projects
- Work with Synod staff, congregations and conferences to provide SAFE workshops.
- Provide other educational opportunities as requested, e.g. Synod Assembly workshops.
- Continue to address the problem of bullying.
- Receive additional training as a team as needed and pass on that knowledge.
- Continue to address the problem of pornography.
Resources
Safe Gatherings Log-in 0.00 KB 1636 downloads
Log in here after registering for Safe Gatherings. …
Safe Gatherings Website 0.00 KB 2330 downloads
An online abuse prevention program that screens and trains clergy, staff and volunteers…
CongregationU Website 0.00 KB 2664 downloads
Find more than 40 online courses related to human resources, security and safety,…
Rooftop Pricing for CongregationU Courses 0.10 KB 158 downloads
Northeastern Iowa Synod congregations receive a 20 percent discount on training through…
Statement of Policy Regarding Sexual Misconduct by a Rostered Minister 260 KB 4059 downloads
Synod policy regarding sexual misconduct (approved 2019) …
S.A.F.E. Brochure 197 KB 9739 downloads
How to Report Sexual Misconduct by a Rostered Minister …
