Anglican church informs parishioners of sex offender attendee after three years
Church of the Resurrection, an Anglican church that serves as a diocesan seat in Wheaton, Illinois, whose leaders have faced criticism for how they handled sexual abuse allegations, informed congregants Friday (Dec. 2) that a registered sex offender has been attending the church since 2019.
On Thursday, ACNAtoo, an anti-abuse advocacy group, published a post on its website alerting readers of Hays’ crimes and presence at Church of the Resurrection. A day later, Williamson’s email informed congregants that it “is not our policy to publicly inform the congregation of a parishioner’s past criminal actions” but that church leaders wished to address concerns that had been raised about Hays, whom Williamson referred to by first name only in the email.
According to the email, Hays was permitted to attend the church but was required to be accompanied by a chaperone selected by church leaders. He was allowed only in the church sanctuary and narthex and was specifically banned from church events “geared toward children.” Williamson’s email also asserts that “all pastors and children and youth staff” were made “aware of his identity, crimes, and the requirements of this policy.”
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I have stopped going. My latest was a big church and I went to service and left right after. Never joined any groups or Sunday school. Never said my full name and didn’t try to make any friends.
That all worked for years until someone new started attending that knew me and my charges and went to the pastor and outed me. When I got the “We need to talk” spiel, I said “if this is what I think it is about, I will just leave” and I did. Going to church does not get you into Heaven, your faith does.
Being shunned by the church was the last straw and I stay to myself now and have very few friends. It is a lonely life but I find ways to make the hours go by each day.
The first reality and gut check by a registrant is you must go low profile. A probation officer actually told me to never tell anyone about your crime. You have to hide behind the same society and politicians that make our lives a living hell. Go to the church of your choice, Jesus is our Lord of Forgiveness!
They’ve forgotten Matthew 7:12 ” Therefore in all things, whatsoever you would have men do to you, do you also to them. For this is the law and the prophets “
When I came home from prison in 2013 I returned to the same church I’d been attending since the early 70’s, First Methodist Church of Melbourne.
After a couple Sundays I was contacted by one of the ministers and told that we needed to talk. When I went to see them I was presented with a form, “Letter to Sexual Predator – Previously Charged” to sign before I could return to church.
I responded with immediate phone calls and demanded a meeting with the ministers. I think this surprised them. They probably expected meek & mild compliance. Either that or that I would simply not want to return to the church.
I had grown up there and many of my most ardent supporters from arrest in 2007 through release from prison in 2013 had been the people that had watched me grow up for almost 40 years. There was no way that I was going to let them chase me off.
The original document was draconian as heck. I was basically straight jacketed and kept under a microscope every second I was there. Some major issues I addressed (there were MANY more) was being escorted from the moment I got out of my car in the parking lot through the entire time I was there (including the bathroom) and then returned to my car. The original document also gave them permission to contact anyone from my attorney to Probation officer to police to my judge, at any time and without necessary cause, to ask about me “in order to obtain information about you and to solicit their input as to how best to minister to you, to the congregation and the community.”
They also would’ve had my “permission” to go straight to my PO or Law Enforcement if ANY questions or concerns were raised about me without notifying me first. That took away any potential opportunity to respond and resolve the any issues at the lowest level before they took on a life of their own.
I went through the original document edited it, making major changes. They resisted this at first and attempted to use their status as “Ministers” to seem as though they were and had the final word in the whole matter. When I simply replied that I would like to step up to the District Superintendent and involve him and if it couldn’t be resolved at his level to go on to the Florida Conference headquarters In Lakeland to the Bishop they backed down and we were able to finally agree on a version that we could all sign.
I attended regularly from 2013 until I moved to a new home in north Brevard county in 2016.
Here is the complete text of the final signed document. I struck the names and numbers of my chaperones to respect their privacy.
Letter to Sexual Offender – Previously Charged
Dear Roger Mansfield,
It has come to our attention that you have been charged with serious crimes against a child. The disposition of these charges warrant that we take measures to protect our young people, avoid any circumstance from which further accusations could occur, and eliminate concern among the congregation.
By taking the steps outlined below, we are hopeful that the pastor, the staff, and the congregation can be of assistance to you. We recognize that all of us are in need of the mercy and grace God offers to each of those He created and whom He loves.
Although this is the second such document you have signed since returning to this congregation in January 2013, and recognizing that there have been no issues of concern expressed to the pastors, it is necessary to provide mandatory guidelines for your continued participation in activities at the First United Methodist Church of Melbourne. The desire is to make them workable for you and at the same time meet the concerns of the congregation. We are hopeful you will agree to these terms and abide by them. If you not, then stronger measures will be required. The activities by which you are asked to agree and abide are as follows:
1. Anytime you are on the campus of First United Methodist Church of Melbourne, you must be accompanied by a “buddy.” There will be at least three people who will be available to act as a “buddy.” The names and telephone numbers of those who have agreed to act as a buddy are listed at the bottom of this letter. You should make contact with one of them prior to coming to the campus of the church. This includes accompanying you to the restroom. The buddy will accompany you to your car at the time you leave the campus.
2. You should restrict any conversation to people who are eighteen years of age or older unless the minors parent or another person over the age of eighteen who is aware of your status is present.
3. You cannot serve in any position of leadership or teaching without the specific permission of the pastors. At no time will you be permitted to be involved in a leadership or teaching position that requires interaction with persons under the age of eighteen.
4. You will restrict your non-worship service attendance to other activities that are not directed to persons under the age of eighteen.
5. You agree to allow the pastor(s) to contact only the probation officer or your attorney in order to obtain information about you and to solicit their input as to how best to minister to you, to the congregation and the community. By signing this letter, you agree that the probation officer or your attorney may share any information with the pastor(s), and you release the probation officer or your attorney and their organization or practice from any liability as a result of releasing information. Offender will be informed of any concerns that are being requested of the probation officer or your attorney.
6. You agree to meet and consult with the pastor upon his/her request for the purpose of providing assistance to you or for the protection and security of the congregation and the community. If there are any concerns made to a staff member or any of the pastors, the offender will be notified verbally within 72 hours and in writing within 5 business days. A meeting with the pastor(s) and the head of the Staff Parish Relations Committee will be scheduled as soon as possible to discuss and address the complaint.
7. You understand and agree that it is necessary for the staff and members of the congregation to be advised of your status and the guidelines agreed upon.
8. This document will be signed by the pastor(s) and the head of the Staff Parish Relations Committee prior to being presented to the offender or in a manner that the offender and at least one of the other required signees can sign in the presence of the other.
We trust you understand the reasons for these requirements. Please know that we and the staff of this congregation shall be praying for you. We look forward to what God will do in your life and in the lives of the members of this congregation as we confront this situation and seek God’s direction.
Sincerely,
____________________________ ____________________________
Pastor Craig Hammond Pastor Dionne Hammond
Head – Staff Parrish Relations Committee
The Buddies to be called any time you plan to come to the campus of the church are
1.
2.
3.
4.
Name: ______________________________ Date: 18 May, 2017__________________
Roger W. Mansfield
CC:
Rev. Dionne Hammond
Rev. Craig Hammond
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Chairman – Staff Parrish Relations Committee
I had a similar experience at a Church I was worshipping God at for several years. they wanted me to sign a form too, which I left immediately and have never went back.
I was deeply hurt by this and still am.
However, I went to another Church I had been to before after that and I told the Pastor my past and he welcomed me with open arms and NEVER asked me to sign anything and NEVER had anyone watch me-as a matter of fact he gave a cleaning and upkeep position with my own key and keypad code and I could come and go as I please.
If anyone is planning on attending a Church, I would call first and find out their policy about people with past sexual offenses.
If they want you to sign a form (which is scrutiny ) then it’s time to keep looking!
When I was released in 2009, the small Methodist church I attended with my wife elected me to serve as the chairperson of the board of trustees. For a year, I literally had the keys to the church and could come and go as I pleased regarding my duties. Nearly everyone there knew my charges. I was even an adult bible study instructor on Sunday mornings. Because of my probation conditions, I still remained very vigilant around children. After about a year, my wife initiated divorce proceedings and things were very rocky. A new pastor came in and all of the sudden, my trustee and bible instructor roles were revoked and I was approached with a document similar to the one described above. I refused to sign it and filed a formal complaint to the Bishop in Lakeland. He admitted that the United Methodist did not have any blanket universal policy regarding sex offenders attending church. However, he deferred to the Pastor’s decision. I left that church and began attending a much larger Methodist church where, because of my probation officer, I disclosed my offense to the Pastor and a few elders. They took no action regarding my attendance and only asked me to keep them informed if I planned to attend events other than Sunday services with my family. (I have since re-married and have three children). I have never had any issues in 10 years and serve as the lead technical director for Sunday service. I say all this because, churches vary with how they view and manage a sex offender’s attendance and participation. Ultimately, your church experience is about your relationship with the Lord and those who are like-minded.
@FAC. You know, I cannot help but wonder how that others can mention the name of Jesus and even use scriptures, BUT……when I do it, my post gets them edited out!!
Would you explain that one to me, FAC??
What is the difference between me and others, or are you just going to remain silent about this??
Please explain!!
There’s a difference between using scriptures and preaching. If you look at the comments for this article, there was one quote of scriptures (“They’ve forgotten Matthew 7:12 ” Therefore in all things, whatsoever you would have men do to you, do you also to them. For this is the law and the prophets “) where the person was citing the scriptures to point out that the church apparently forgot to consider that in the scriptures it says to treat others as yourself and these people are not following their own rule book.
You don’t have the benefit of seeing how others’ posts get edited or moderated out entirely. You are not being singled out, you just don’t see the other edits because they don’t make it to the page.
Think of it in a different context… If someone says “Senator Smith is a Republican. How can he be in favor of gun reform when his party’s platform believes in open carry laws? He’s a hypocrite.” they are making a point about Senator Smith’s position without promoting one position over another.
You’ve made several posts where you’ve written “praise be to God” or other statements that were publicly posted without a second thought. This is not about suppressing your opinions, it’s more about respecting the beliefs of others, the political beliefs of others, the views on abortion or other social issues, etc. Remember, we’re a diverse group.
I know there are many out there who are very devout. Perhaps a separate group for registrants of a specific religion or belief or whatever classification?
David, I had the same experience when I went to another church after our move. After a month of attending services there my wife and I decided to continue going there and join the church. At that point I spoke at length (by my choice) with the pastor. His only question was “Do you plan on getting involved with any youth related activities?” when I more or less chuckled and said no his response was “Ok, there’s nothing to worry about” and gave both my wife and I a big hug.
I would have asked the pastor if he makes people convicted of drunk driving sign a similar form before having Communion and drinking the wine.
Most churches use grape juice now so that everyone, including underage can participate, as well as those who do not drink. But I get what you are saying.
Anyone can comment on this article. No research was given to back up their statements — mainly because there is no such research.
You do not need an account to comment on this one — comment as a guest. You also do not have to use your name.
We need more comments to be made refuting the statements quoted in this article.
The church says “is not our policy to publicly inform the congregation of a parishioner’s past criminal actions” but we will out a member anyway in the name of concern. What concern???????????????
Why don’t they out all all persons that have had DUI’s as they pose a “danger” of driving drunk and running over a child in the parking lot, or why not out persons with a theft charge because they may steal parishioner’s donations or their purse, etc., or property belonging to the church? Why don’t they? Because they are hypocrites. Most religious people I have met interpret the bible to their personal beliefs and why I am not a fan of religions. I can respect everyone’s personal beliefs but draw the line when they try to impose it on others. ,
Time to find a new church. Or better yet, stop going to any of them.
Amen to Ryan… Have church in your own home…..why would anyone subject themselves to such abuse is puzzling