At a service of worship, prayer and reflection in the Cathedral on Thursday evening 18th June, the Vision for Safeguarding in the Diocese of Sodor and Man was launched in the company of church members, ministers and Parish Safeguarding Officers from around the island.
Prepared over a period of discussion, discernment and prayer, the Safeguarding Vision embodies the ethos and values that are integral to Christian faith, as demonstrated in the example and teaching of Jesus Christ.
Led by Dean Nigel and Bishop Tricia, the service included worship, Bible readings, prayers, introduction and explanation of the Diocesan Safeguarding Vision by the Safeguarding team members and the Diocesan Secretary, declarations of commitment, and reflection and blessing by Bishop Tricia.
The hymns were accompanied by the Cathedral’s Director of Music, Dr Peter Litman, and included praise and supplications
- This is our God, the Servant King
- Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
- Make me a channel of your peace
- Brother, Sister, let me serve you
- Guide me, O thou great Redeemer
In her address, Bishop Tricia observed that “We commit to maintaining a safe caring culture because of what we believe about God and God’s character.”
Bishop Tricia spoke of how “every human being is made in the image and likeness of God. Every child, young person, adult; every person who walks through the doors of our churches bears God’s image and possesses a dignity that no-one and no circumstance can take away. To safeguard another person, therefore, is not simply to manage risk. It is to honour the image of God in them. It is an act of reverence.”
She invited us to unpack our thoughts about Christian values, vulnerability and the exercise of power. Not because power shouldn’t exist, but because in Christian terms it must be marked by love, honour and dignity for all.
“Whenever we recognise, protect, and cherish the dignity of one another we participate in the work of the God who came that all might have life.”
Bishop Tricia ended her address with the prayer
“May God grant us grace for this task, courage in carrying it out, humility to keep learning and growing and love at the heart of all we do”.
The Safeguarding Team for the Diocese of Sodor and Man is headed up by Abbey Celphane-Wilson, (who is also DSO of Manchester Diocese), and Lisa Morris, Diocese of Sodor and Man Safeguarding Support Officer.
At the conclusion of the service, before refreshments were shared, sincere thanks were given to Abbey and Lisa, and all involved in the care of Safeguarding practices across the island. Bishop Tricia paid particular tribute to Tony Connell who had been the Ecumenical Safeguarding Officer for the island for many years, and now continues his work with the Diocese as Diocesan Secretary.
