This spring, the Rev. Canon Kimberley Pfeiler completed her tenure as C4SO’s Ombudsman. In her role, she handled sensitive reports, provided trauma-informed care, and developed processes to protect children and youth, employees, volunteers, interns and parishioners from harm. She built a bridge from C4SO’s beginning efforts at safety to a more robust approach we now call Safe Church Training.
“I am grateful for Kimberley’s godly leadership in this crucial part of our diocese, and her unflagging dedication to providing people in crisis with safe, confidential care,” Bishop Todd says.
With C4SO’s rapid growth, the role of Ombudsman has become too much for any one person—no matter how herculean their efforts. Bishop Brian Wallace proposed a team model that strategically distributes the responsibilities of safety, response and care to replace the single position of Ombudsman. To do so, he created three new positions under the umbrella of a “Safety, Response and Care Team.” These women and men will each handle a portion of the previous Ombudsman role.
A key new member of the Safety, Response and Care team is Response Lead Rachel George, who serves as Junior Warden at Incarnation Atlanta. As Response Lead, Rachel will oversee best practice related to all reported incidents, triage incidents in partnership with the Bishops, regularly provide direct contact with people who file reports, work with internal and external investigators, and more.
“Because Rachel has a full-time job, she is serving C4SO in a volunteer capacity,” Bishop Brian says. “We are so grateful. Welcome, Rachel!”
The Safety Response and Care Team also includes a Safety Lead—responsible for diocesan compliance with all Safe Church protocols—and a Care Lead—who will ensure customized care for all parties and will oversee Chaplains for any future Reporter(s) or Respondent(s). Our Director of Operations Eric Vinson will serve as Safety Lead, and the Rev. Markene Meyer of Trinity Lakeside will serve as Care Lead.
All of C4SO’s Safe Church Training efforts strive to go beyond adherence to the law. Caring and advocacy for the vulnerable is woven into the DNA of our diocese. Ultimately, C4SO intends to foster a healthy and nurturing environment in which every person can grow in relationship with Jesus Christ.
“We must hold one another accountable to care for the least of these, as we seek to live out our Kingdom mission for the sake of others,” Bishop Todd says.