I want to share something that’s been taking shape in the background at church. A small team of leaders has formed a Church Safety Task Force to take a fresh, comprehensive look at how we keep our congregation safe.
This group is focusing on four key areas: medical emergencies, severe weather, fire, and threats of violence. Over the years, we’ve written safety plans, filed them away neatly, and hoped we’d never need them. But plans aren’t helpful unless we know them, practice them, and keep them fresh.
I know it can be uncomfortable to talk about these things. None of us like imagining worst-case scenarios especially in a place as sacred and peaceful as our church. We chafe at the thought that someone might bring harm to us at worship, or that a tragedy like a fire could ever happen here. But sometimes faithfulness means facing hard truths with courage and compassion.
I’ll never forget a moment years ago when I participated in the Rochelle Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy. One session, the captain spoke about how my kids’ local elementary school wasn’t designed with the safety features newer schools now include. So instead, teachers used a children’s book that taught students what to do in the event of danger – mostly fleeing the building and meet up at the park. They’d read the book and practice running as a PE activity. I remember feeling moral outrage that our world had come to that. That we have to prepare children for such things.
But then the captain said something that changed me. It was fresh from something he learned from the Dixion High School shooting that happened just months prior. He said with emotion, “I don’t like this world either. But I’d rather teach kids to run from danger and send every officer in my command door to door until each one was safe in case one gets lost on the run, than ask a parent to identify their child’s body in a classroom.”
That was a sobering moment. It taught me that options-based training saves lives. It’s not about living in fear. It’s about making sure that when seconds matter, we already know what to do.
That’s the approach our safety team is taking. We’re developing simple, options-based plans for medical events, fire, severe weather, and safety threats. We’ll publish these plans for everyone and even practice them occasionally. And just so you know: we will never do a surprise drill. If you hear an alarm or instruction, treat it as a real event.
We’re working closely with the Geneva Police and Fire Departments, consulting with other area churches, and learning from experts. Some of us recently attended an active threat preparedness training offered by our insurance provider at Journey of Hope UMC in Elgin. We’re also continuing to offer CPR and AED training, because in most emergencies, the first and most faithful response is compassion and care.
Eventually, you may notice a few small changes in building access once our plans are finalized: nothing dramatic, just intentional. We’re also learning that safety doesn’t have to feel cold or restrictive. In fact, one of the best deterrents to violence is something called “The Power of Hello.”
The Power of Hello is a simple principle from the Department of Homeland Security’s faith-based safety program: The idea is that friendly awareness is one of our best tools for safety. When we notice someone new, greet them warmly, and pay attention to their response, it builds connection and sometimes that’s all it takes to deter harmful intent. People looking to do harm tend to avoid places where they feel seen, noticed, and known.
Statistically, incidents of violence in houses of worship are rare. We are much more likely to experience a medical emergency or fire than a violent act. But whether the challenge is small or great, preparedness is an act of love. It’s how we care for one another, our guests, and our community.
Our Safety Task Force includes Chuck & Heidi Howlett, Ron Donovan, Carolyn Burnham, Linda McConnell, and myself. If you have interest or expertise to share or if you’d like to help with medical or hospitality training please contact one of us or call the church office.
Preparedness doesn’t mean living in fear; it means living with intention. It means being ready to serve, ready to care, and ready to protect the people God has entrusted to our care. Because saying “hello” and being ready to act when needed is one more way we live out our mission to illuminate our community with God’s grace.