This year’s theme is
‘Action Speaks Louder’

The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of the whole Church.
Everyone who participates in the life of the Church has a role to play in promoting a Safer Church for all.
House of Bishops, Promoting a Safer Church, 2017

Safeguarding is the responsibility of us all

https://stgeorgesbeckenham.co.uk/safeguarding/

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales
or the Church in Wales. The service is open to anyone over 18 who lives in England and Wales. If you live outside of England and Wales, but suffered abuse by someone in the Church or as a result of your relationship with the Church of England, Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales, we will always endeavour to provide support, but this may be limited due to the services that are available outside of England and Wales.

Their helpline is 0300 303 1056
Opening Times: Monday – Friday: 9am-9pm Saturday: 9am-1pm Sunday: 1pm-5pmYou can also email:  safespaces@firstlight.org.uk,
or use the webchat service available on this website.

© 2023 Safe Spaces England and Wales. Safe Spaces is a charitable company registered as a charity in England and Wales with charity number (1198393) and company number (12888233). Its registered address is Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ

https://safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk

For other Victim and Survivors Support Services –
national and local; also therapy, counselling and other support see:
https://d3hgrlq6yacptf.cloudfront.net/6154babbee922/content/pages/documents/vicitm-and-survivor-support-services-nov-2022.pdf

Reading:    Proverbs 31:8 – 9 (NRSV)

Speak out for those who cannot speak,
for the rights of all the destitute.
Speak out; judge righteously;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Act with compassion and speak for justice for those who have no voice or influence.

Hymn:  There’s a wideness in God’s mercy  – Frederick William Faber

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
like the wideness of the sea.
There’s a kindness in God’s justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in heaven.
There is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgment given.

For the love of God is broader
than the measures of the mind.
And the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
But we make his love too narrow
By false limits of our own;
and we magnify his strictness
with a zeal he will not own.

There is plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members
in the sorrows of the Head.
There is grace enough for thousands
of new worlds as great as this;
There is room for fresh creations
in that upper room of bliss.

If our love were but more simple,
we should take him at his word;
and our lives would be all gladness
in the joy of Christ our Lord.

Prayer

Loving God,
we pray for those who are vulnerable and in need of protection:
for those who are hurting and whose trust has been broken.
Give them your healing, justice and peace.
Support all who work to make our communities safer.
Make us all more aware of the plight
of the vulnerable, the oppressed, the voiceless and the forgotten.
Help us to protect and value all people.
Amen