We want to take a moment to share with you some of the steps we’ve put in place to ensure the safety of our entire community, particularly our children & youth, and to remind us all of how we can actively contribute to maintaining a welcoming, secure environment.
Safety at TLLC
First and foremost, we believe that having all members feel safe when on our campus creates a sense of belonging. Therefore, access to our building is carefully managed through door codes and controlled entry. This ensures that we can keep track of who is in the building at any given time, and if an incident ever occurs, we can better understand what happened and who may be able to provide insight.
On Sundays, you might notice an off-duty officer present. This is simply another step we’ve taken to ensure the safety of our campus during high-traffic times when we welcome a lot of visitors (such as Easter). While the presence of an officer may feel unsettling, please know that Officer Joseph is mindful of being welcoming to help both members and visitors feel safe and secure. Additionally, we try to have Officer Joseph with us periodically so that he remains a familiar face amongst us.
We recently upgraded the safety of our windows to respond to incidents in the area and proactively work to keep our campus secure and are soon adding a doorbell to the Narthex to improve access to the building during worship.
In addition, our TLLC staff have well defined and practiced procedures they follow when there is an incident on the property. If you are ever concerned for your safety, find a staff person and they will be able to assist you. Names and Photos of staff members
Now, we ask that you help us maintain safety by following a few simple guidelines:
- Please avoid propping open doors. This can pose a risk by allowing unauthorized access or being forgotten.
- Please avoid posting door access codes. An alternative to having someone stand at the door would be to post a cell number to call/text in order to obtain the access code for entry.
- Please use discernment when letting folks you do not know in the building during the week. Direct them to ring the door bell or use their access code at the office entrance.
- If you need regular access to the building, please request a door code from Geoff in the office.
- Adults who are with children not part of their family should be in groups of three or in public areas where interactions can be easily observed by others. Please note that our commitment to safety for children & youth begins by ensuring that all adults who wish to work with our CYF ministries are church members. This helps us maintain a trusted community and the protection of everyone involved. Our safety measures also include background checks and training for all adults volunteering with young people. These are not a one-time events, but are ongoing to ensure we stay up to date with best practices for the safety of both our youth and volunteers.
- Wearing name tags helps us easily distinguish visitors from members so that we can be welcoming and is essential for maintaining compliance with our CDC program's licensing guidelines during their operating hours.
Because we are a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation, we are constantly evaluating the physical and emotional safety of our property and our community. Our Belonging team is constantly evaluating barriers to our sense of belonging at TLLC and recognize that feeling safe is a standard to those feelings. If there is anything that you notice that you might wish to improve or discuss you can reach out to the Belonging Team via info@tllc.org.
While these measures are necessary for safety, we are mindful that they might sometimes feel unusual. Please know that every step we take is to help create a vibrant, inclusive community where all are welcome and protected and that we encourage conversations on this topic with staff and other leaders.
Thank you for your continued commitment to fostering a space of care, respect, and safety for everyone who walks through our doors. We are deeply grateful for each of you as we work together to protect and nurture the faith and life of our church community.
If you have any questions or concerns about the safety and security of our property, please don't hesitate to reach out. Call us at 512-346-5683 or email info@tllc.org.
Blessings,
TLLC Staff, Belonging Team, Safety Team
