Abbotsford, B.C.
Last spring, eight courageous women and two facilitators met in the lounge of a church in New Westminster. The women were of various ages, ethnic backgrounds, churches, and income levels. Yet they had two things in common: they were Christians and they were being abused.
"Each woman described the group as an important lifeline," said Karen McAndless Davis, one of the leaders. "Some women were simply looking for support for the situation they were living in. Others...were considering how they might make changes. Still others had left an abusive relationship and wanted a safe place to talk about how overwhelming it all seemed. We respected the beliefs and decisions of each woman."
"Abuse can take many forms," said Davis. "Because it was a group especially designed for Christian women, we were able to discuss issues that seem to be of particular concern to women of faith. These women struggled with the importance of their marriage vows. They wondered what role forgiveness needed to play in a situation of abuse.
"At times they lamented the apparent absence of God's help while other times celebrated the belief that God was very much with them on their journey. The group provided a wonderful experience of God's goodness and help in the midst of great adversity."
This fall, several churches are joining with Mennonite Central Committee to sponsor a similar group in the Fraser Valley. For more information, contact Elsie Wiebe Klingler at (604) 850-6639 or 888-622-6337; e-mail: dvsa@mccbc.com--From MCC B.C. release
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