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September 30, 2011 Conference Calendar Date Event 9/23/2011 UMW Annual Meeting


9/24/2011 Boundaries Training 9/26/2011 Live Safe Sanctuaries


9/27/2011 Social Justice Team 10/1/2011 Fall Lay Speaking Classes


10/1/2011 Early Response Team Trn. 10/8/2011 Live Safe Sanctuaries


Location Blue Springs UMC


Conference Center LaMonte UMC


Conference Center Camp Jo-Ota


Conference Center First UMC Sedalia


10/13/2011 Show Me Emmaus Men’s Walk #60 Baptist Hill Camp 10/13/2011 “Roast Event” for Rev. J. Bryan 10/15/2011 Mozambique Team Meeting 10/15/2011 Festival of Sharing


Missouri UMC Conference Center 10/18/2011 Order of Deacons Gathering 10/22/2011 Basic & Advanced Lay Speaking 10/29/2011 SE District Lay Speaker Training Missouri UMC 10/20/2011 Show Me Emmaus Women’s Walk #61 Baptist Hill Camp Branson UMC Sikeston First UMC


10/29/2011 Heartland Central Lay Speaking Class St. James UMC 11/4/2011 CONNECT


11/5/2011 Lay Speaker Courses 11/18/2011 Senior High Confirmation Retreat Willard UMC Phone/E-Mail paula64801@yahoo.com


yolanda.villa@swbell.net 660-287-0803


briggs66@fairpoint.net Contact Paula Ackerson


Yolanda Villa Lea Anne Bell


Margie Briggs tombannon@centurytel.net Tom Bannon


phelps@umocm.com 660-827-2993 (417) 886-9304 (816) 245-4848 (573) 474-7155


Missouri State Fairgrounds (573) 474-3332


beth@umcgt.org (417) 886-9304


dpbrucks@classicnet.net ahparsons@charter.net Camp Windermere


816-318-8947 573-291-9122


klowephelps@gmail.com First UMC Jefferson City 573-291-9122


Audrey Phelps Kevin Holbert Carol Smith Alan Herndon Max Marble Terri Williams


Beth Freeman Carol Smith


Dorothy Brucks Adelaide Parsons


Lavarn Hardin Bev Boehmer


Karla Lowe-Phelps Bev Boehmer Churches have role in helping victims of domestic violence


By Cathy Covington Religious leaders historically


have had difficulty helping congre- gation members who experience domestic violence, often denying the abuse or further endanger- ing a woman by encouraging her to return to her partner. As an advocate and a pastor’s wife, I am encouraged by the steps many churches have taken recently to address domestic violence, but


other churches still have a long way to go. Many people, clergy included, do not become involved in efforts to stop domestic violence until a murder happens in their community, but the time to address domestic violence is now, before another victim loses her life. Women of faith often feel they


must endure abuse because leav- ing breaks the marriage covenant. Churches must help victims understand that, in reality, the abuser is the person who breaks that covenant. Victims are often blamed for not respecting their husbands, so churches need to help release them from these preconceived notions. Marriages are destroyed when violence surfaces, not when a woman acts to protect herself. Domestic violence breaks up families, not a woman’s decision to leave an abusive partner. Deciding to


divorce is never an easy decision, but it is often a needed step to save the lives of a battered woman, her children, and even the abuser. For clergy members offering


hope and healing to victims, the pulpit is one of the best tools. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so this is the perfect time to speak out at wor- ship services. Victims desperately need to hear that they are not alone and God wants them to be safe. Batterers need to hear that they are responsible for their behavior and will be held account- able. Abusers often interpret Bible passages, such as Ephesians 5:20- 33, to justify violence, but clergy can counteract with 1 Corinthians 13 to discuss what marriage should entail. Clergy can further educate con-


gregations about domestic violence by printing articles in church news-


letters, making brochures about services available in women’s rest- rooms, or inviting advocates from local agencies to speak. While couples counseling can


be unsafe for victims because abusers retaliate and inflict greater physical harm, clergy can still intervene when domestic vio- lence is suspected. Meet with the victim, help her plan for safety, and refer her to local agencies that provide support services she will need. Ultimately, the church should provide a proactive pastoral care response to domestic violence by focusing on actions and not blaming the victim. Cathy Covington is a Crisis


Intervention Specialist for ALIVE, which provides services to victims of domestic violence in the St. Louis area and Franklin County areas in Missouri.


Opportunities Job


Postings Director of Children and Family Ministry


Manchester UMC in St.


Louis is seeking a full-time (full benefits) Director of Children’s Education and Family Ministry. This position requires a love for children, age two through 5th grade; an ability to articulate a compelling vision for children’s ministry. A strong candidate should have a minimum of five years of experience in Christian education and/or early childhood education and have earned a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree. Theological training is preferred. E-Mail resume, references, and salary history/requirements to nancye.dunlap@manchesterumc. org.


Director of Missions, Blue Springs UMC


First UMC of Blue Springs


is looking for new ‘Director of Missions,’ who is responsible for planning, developing, and work- ing creatively for mission minis- tries. It is a part time 10-hour per week position. Please, visit FUMC website


(www.firstumcbs.org) or contact the church office (816-229-8108) for more information.


9A


Cathy Covington


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