Safe Sanctuaries / Safe Gatherings

**Scroll down this page for Safe Gatherings policies and forms.**

Thank you for volunteering with the children and/or vulnerable adults at Severna Park United Methodist Church (SPUMC). We are changing the method for validating our volunteers. At the recommendation of the Baltimore Washington Conference, we are switching to an online process. The company we are using is Safe Gatherings.

Returning Volunteers: At this time, nothing is required. When your background check needs to be redone (we recertify every three years), the church will email you the directions to transition from our paper based system to Safe Gatherings.

New Volunteers: If you have been identified as either a new volunteer, you will use Safe Gatherings. This process will require you to log onto their website and complete an initial application. This includes an educational module that must be completed.

When the application with all its components is complete you will be notified, as well as the church.  In addition, you will be reminded via email in three years to complete again.

Instructions for Adults

Please view our Safe Sanctuaries Policy and download instructions.

The process is:

  • Access the website safegatherings.com/app
  • Choose New Safe Gatherings Application and sign up.
  • Complete the application by providing the information asked for.
  • Watch the educational modules (1.5) hours. You can leave and come back as needed.
  • This can be completed on your computer or phone.
  • You can reenter the website to check the progress of your application.
  • You will receive a completion certificate when your application is complete. The church will be notified as well.

Before you begin, please note:  In this process, you will be filling in personal information, including previous work involving children, youth, or vulnerable adults. Also, you will be submitting two references (supervisor, clergy, professional) that are not related to you. Safe Gatherings will need contact information for these references (email and phone number). To speed up the process, please have this information ready before you begin. Please call Safe Gatherings with any questions at 888.241.8258.

Instructions for Youth (ages 17 and under)

Please fill out the application below. Send the reference form to your two references. References may not be related to you or living in your household. We will process your application once completed.

Youth Volunteer Forms:
Application
Reference Form

For more information about Safe Sanctuaries, please email safe@severnaparkumc.org.