Concerned about reports of increasing violence against the LGBTQIA+ community, the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California’s Rainbow Ministry Team sought out information about security at our churches and at Pride events our congregations may participate in.

As a result, Mark G. Dibelka, the Diocesan Missioner for Disaster Resilience, recently spoke to the team, providing what he called “an overview of security as we open our hearts in a very divided world.”

“Those who cry ‘monster’ the loudest actually threaten us the most,” Mark acknowledged. “As Christians, we need to strike a balance between safety and hospitality.”

Among the highlights of his talk:

· The best way to keep ourselves safe is by building relationships in our communities.

· Local law enforcement (not state or federal) are the folks who respond to any emergency, so get to know them. Also get to know your community’s LGBTQ+ support organizations, resource centers, faith coalitions (if they exist and if they welcome the Episcopal Church) – the places where safe zones are already established. These groups are facing the same concerns. Where possible, get to know your civic leadership, and definitely get to know your allies and supporters. (Resource: www.childwelfare.gov/organizations/?CWIGFunctionsaction=rols:main.dspList&rolType=Custom&RS_ID=146&rList=ROL.)

· “All people are welcome. Not all behaviors are welcome” (attributed to Fr. Daniel London, Christ Church, Eureka).

· Prejudices vs. judgments. “We need to check our personal prejudices about how someone should look, but pay attention to behavior.” For example, someone who is wearing a bulky coat in August may have a mental illness, but they also may have a gun.

· How to assess behaviors: OH, NO!

o O: Observe the person. Pay attention to behavior that gets your attention. If someone comes in and starts counting windows, that is a behavior that you should pay attention to. If they are clutching at pocket, could be a pet rodent they keep with them, or it could be a weapon.

o H: Have people who are responsible for greeting say “Hello.” There is power in Hello. “A high percentage of time you can defuse someone by simply being kind and saying hello. There are stacks of case studies about people who went to locations intending violence then changed minds because they were treated with

kindness.” (Resource: The Power of Hello Guide for Houses of Worship — https://bit.ly/CIM-Hello.)

o N: Navigate the threat. If something tingles your “spidey sense,” look at what you have pre-planned. (Get usher involved? Let Rector know? Call Police?) Look at where pre-planning hits. If nothing relaxes the threat…

o O: … Obtain help. In the case of Episcopal Church, that means calling the civil authority (police/sheriff). We do not authorize security teams to carry weapons in our churches. If we are concerned enough about someone’s behavior, it’s time to call civil authorities.

· Churches should have a larger disaster pre-plan, and Rainbow Team members should take part in those planning groups.

· Six steps to enhance security:

1. Understand risk in place that you are (eg. Pride events: some towns don’ t have to worry much; other places may have concerns)

2. Understand your space. (A park is different from a cathedral)

3. Develop a plan and practice it. (“You play like you practice.”)

4. Inform and educate greeters. They are our first line of OH NO.

5. Pursue grants to bring you to a level of security you are comfortable with. (Will be training people to do risk assessments of your property.) State grants are available (increase surveillance capacity. Change from regular locks to card key access.)

6. Report crime. Specifically hate crimes and other incidents you notice along the way (i.e. if you see a van pull up to church and start taking pictures, report it. It could be an insurance agent or it could be someone planning to attack your church. Let law enforcement find out.)A copy of Mark’s presentation notes, as well as documents he referenced, are available as resources under the Rainbow Ministry Team tab on this website.

– July 14, 2023