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Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
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Safe Church

“The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri is committed to fully living out our Baptismal Covenant by keeping our siblings in Christ within our diverse communities of faith safe. We best live our Baptismal call by recognizing and honoring the divine presence in everyone we meet. Misconduct by clergy, lay employees, or members of our congregations violates the vows of our Baptism and harms the members of the Body of Christ.”
- Bishop Deon K. Johnson

The Diocese of Missouri has a zero-tolerance policy for any type of sexual misconduct.

We define three categories:

  1. Sexual abuse of children or others unable to give consent.
  2. The establishment of a sexual relationship (including dating of a parishioner or member of the church's staff) of a cleric in his/her congregation.
  3. Any type of sexual harassment of church employees.

Safe Church, Safe Communities Training Information

Please note: The Episcopal Church and The Diocese of Missouri are in the process of updating our training for congregations, clergy, and diocesan leadership to prevent sexual misconduct.

The Task Force to Develop Model Sexual Harassment Policies and Safe Church Training began releasing new courses (and removing old courses) on July 14, 2021. At the same time, the platform we use to access the training changed from Praesidium Armatus to a new learning platform named Praesidium Academy.

Click these links for more details:

Safe Church Training Details

Praesidium Academy - online Safe Church training modules.

Please contact Jillian Smith, the Diocesan Safe Church Coordinator, for additional details about the program.

  • Who does what training?
    This training is required for:
    - All clergy - those ordained and those in the ordination process
    - All employees
    - All volunteers who work with children or vulnerable adults
    - Agencies of the Diocese
    - Maintenance and clerical employees

  • Here is a spreadsheet of recommended courses for certain staff and volunteer positions! We will continue to update this spreadsheet with courses as they become available.

  • How often do we do it?
    - Safe Church training is required to be done at least every 3 years in the Episcopal Church.

  • How do we keep track of it?
    - There is a learner dashboard on your Praesidium Academy account that will help show you which courses you completed! We hope to eventually have an administrator at each parish who can access records on Praesidium Academy.

  • How do I register?
    Please close this drop-down box and open the next drop-down, titled "Register for Safe Church Training."

Register for Safe Church Training

Thank you for beginning your Safe Church, Safe Communities training. Please follow these steps to register and begin your training.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Praesidium Academy Support Team at [email protected] or 817-801-7773 or contact Jillian Smith in the Bishop's Office.

To Enroll:

  1. Go to https://www.praesidiumacademy.com/redeem
  2. Fill in your contact information including First Name, Last Name, Email Address, and desired Password.
  3. Enter the appropriate registration code for your organization.
    (Download the spreadsheet to find your parish's registration code)
    *If you can't find your church on the list, click "control-f" to search
  4. Click Validate to confirm registration code.
  5. Click the checkbox to agree to the Terms & Conditions.
  6. Click Redeem.
  7. Write down your user login and password for future reference.
  8. Answer the Registration Questions about your status and role within the organization.
    (View the required courses by position/role in your parish.)
  9. Click Save & Continue.
  10. To begin taking training immediately, scroll down and click a course to start the content.

Helpful Downloads/Links:

  • Quick Start Guide (directions listed above)
  • Parish Registration Codes
  • Required courses by position/role in your parish


Diocesan Policies on the Protection of Children, Youth, and Vulnerable Adults

Congregational leadership, either clergy or warden, will need to digitally attest that everyone who is required to take the Safe Church, Safe Communities Training (along with Vestries and Bishop’s Committees) has read and reviewed the Safe Church Model Policies by March 31 of each year.

These policies, along with a letter from the Bishop and a digital attestation form, may be downloaded here:

  • Policy for Protection of Children & Youth
  • Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults
  • Letter from Bishop Deon and Task Force

Click this button to fill out and submit the form (due March 31 of each year):

Complete the digital attestation.


Helpful Links and Information

  • Missouri Mandated Reporting Laws
    Anyone can report suspected child abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the Missouri Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline.
    - Those required by profession to report

  • Responding to Concerns:
    Information on responding to concerns within your ministry context may be found on page 19 of the Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth and on page 15 of the Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults.

    - If you are ever in doubt about who to contact, please reach out to the Safe Church Coordinator, Jillian Smith, in the Diocesan Offices.

    - We investigate any charges against a member of the clergy immediately upon receiving that charge.
  • Background checks:
    For information regarding background checks, please contact Rita Benson in the Diocesan Offices. Background checks are required for the following:
    - All clergy
    - All employees
    - All volunteers who work with children or vulnerable adults

  • Social Media:
    Guidelines for social media and youth may be found on page 25 (Appendix B) of the Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth and page 20 (Appendix B) of the Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults.

  • Examples of release forms for trips and events, photo releases, will be forthcoming.

  • Contact Jillian Smith in the Bishop's Office for more information.
Share this page: Safe Church

For more info, contact:

Jillian Smith
Executive Assistant to the Bishop and Canon to the Ordinary
314-231-1220, ext. 1370 

    Jillian Smith

    Executive Assistant to the Bishop and Canon to the Ordinary
    314-231-1220, ext. 1370 |

    Jillian joined the Bishop's staff in 2017 as the Director of the Deaconess Anne House and began serving as Executive Assistant to the Bishop and Canon to the Ordinary in August 2019. Jillian has a Bachelor's degree in history, with a minor in sociology from the University of Evansville. She was a corps member of the first class at Deaconess Anne House, where she served with Episcopal City Mission and All Saints' Episcopal Church. After her internship with DAH, Jillian became the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ladue from 2014-2017. She is married to Anthony Cabrera.

    Jillian's duties include:

    • Appointments for the Bishop
    • Appointments for the Canon to the Ordinary
    • Lay licensing
    • Remarriage petitions and authorizations
    • Diocesan Confirmation service
    • Bishop's visitations
    • Renewal of ministry
    • Letters Dimissory
    • Chrism oil
    • Supply Clergy list
    • Clergy Retreats, Clergy Conference
    • License to Officiate
    • Non-parochial Reports
    • Safeguarding God's Children
    • Ordination Process Forms
    Congregational Resources Alcohol Policy Christian Formation Church Architecture and Allied Arts COVID-19 Disaster Preparedness Epiphany Reflections Financial Forms Lent 2023 Parish Leadership Safe Church Seniors Stewardship Worship


    Contact Us


    Additional Updates for Safe Church, Safe Communities

    by Jillian Smith, Safe Church Coordinator and Executiv...

    Read More »

    New Courses for Safe Church, Safe Communities

    By Jillian Smith Executive Assistant to the Bishop and ...

    Read More »

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    1210 Locust St. · St. Louis, MO 63103
    (314) 231-1220
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    Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
    1210 Locust St.
    St. Louis, MO 63103

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    (314) 231-1220

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    Welcome from Our Bishop Find a Church Diocesan Calendar Clergy Resources

    We believe in a loving, life-giving and liberating God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe God loves you -- no exceptions!

    We invite you to be a part of our faith journey.

    The Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson is the leader of our diocese. He was elected as our bishop on Nov. 23, 2019, and ordained on June 13, 2020, at Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis.

    Learn More

    Approximately 10,000 people throughout Eastern and Central Missouri find their faith home with us. About three-quarters of our members are in the metro St. Louis area, but our diocese reaches much farther than St. Louis. You will find more than 40 Episcopal churches, missions and faith communities as far north as Kirksville, as far west as Columbia, and as far south as Poplar Bluff (and many points in between).

    If you are looking for a church home or a just a faith community to visit, we invite you to explore The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri.

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    Specifically of interest to the ordained clergy canonically resident or licensed in this diocese.

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    Do you have a question or need more information?

    Send a message to the Offices of the Bishop and we'll get back with you soon!


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