What Would You Take?
UMW’s March Mission Study and Programs for Elementary, Youth, and Adults
by Karen Carrerra, March Mission Study Co-Chair
Home is where the heart is. Or at least that is what most expect – that love, affection and fond memories will always be tied to that ideal.
But for some women, home is a scary place. It’s where they’re controlled. Battered. Told they’re worthless. And threatened. In fact, the stats tell us that 1 out of 3 women will be a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault in her lifetime. Many women have to flee quickly – sometimes with children – with only minutes to choose what to bring and what to leave behind. Often those belongings are packed in a garbage bag.
This year’s UMW’s March Mission Study will help empower you to recognize red flags, believe someone’s story and have a plan to help a friend or family member escape their circumstances.
Mark your calendars
March 11 at 5:45 p.m. is our mission study, What Would You Take? How to help women break free from domestic abuse. We’ll look at domestic violence and the challenges that women go through to escape their abusers. We’ll hear from a panel of experts, including survivors, moderated by InterAct, Wake County’s only provider of abuse and assault services.
While domestic violence is a dark topic, InterAct shines a light of hope with their mission of saving and rebuilding lives and securing safer futures. They provide a host of services to help and support survivors before, during and after their transition to safer lives, as well as providing youth education services for early intervention.
Not surprisingly, this is an issue that the national UMW and UMM have teamed up around in order to raise awareness in UMC congregations. Our Book of Discipline (2012) proclaims, “We encourage the Church to provide a safe environment, counsel, and support for the victim.”
This year, there is no charge for dinner, but we ask that you bring hand soap, cleaning products, or laundry detergent for InterAct’s pantry. If childcare is needed, please contact Anna Sledge, asledge@hbumc.org. Please RSVP by March 4 with your circle leader, at the reception desk, or at www.hbumc.org/signups/.
This year, something different
While preparing for the study, we quickly realized that safety education at an early age can help end the cycle of violence before it even starts. The UMW has teamed up with the JOY class and Elementary Department to bring InterAct’s age-appropriate “Positive Connections” curriculum to our younger members, providing safety education including fair play, self-control, and Internet safety. Those sessions will run Wednesday nights, March 27, April 3 and 10. The Wednesday night program for adults on March 20 (6:45, Fellowship Hall) will have similar programming from Interact.
If you have questions on any of these programs please contact Karen Carrera, kjcarrera@gmail.com or Beth Baker, bethbaker1018@yahoo.com.
