Dear colleagues in ministry,
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. While talking about sex in church or in a non-church ministry setting can feel difficult, talking about sexual assault can feel even more difficult. If we let 'difficult' or 'more difficult' keep us silent, however, we become complicit in nourishing a culture wherein abuse, exploitation, and wounding can continue. I invite you to break the silence, and to do what feels 'difficult' and 'even more difficult' in the name of compassion and justice, by speaking out in your ministry setting during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
What follows is a wonderful resource produced by our sisters and brothers in the Wisconsin Conference UCC. In it, you will find helps and suggestions for a variety of ministry activities including worship.
Break The Silence Sunday [PDF]
Additional resources can be found at the National Sexual Violence Resource Center web site. [Link]
A 52 second video clip, "Prevention Is Possible," can be found on YouTube. [Link]
Safekeeping: Session Plans for Developing Abuse Awareness in Kids [Link] has proven to be a terrific resource in my ministry and in the ministry of my last congregation. Used as part of that curriculum or as stand alone resources several children's books are worth your investment:
Your Body Belongs to You [Amazon Link]
The Right Touch [Amazon Link]
I Can Be Safe [Amazon Link]
A Tale Worth Telling [Amazon Link]
I Said No [Amazon Link]
Do You Have A Secret? [Amazon Link]
My Body Is Private [Amazon Link]
Is It Right to Fight? [Amazon Link]
I hope these resources will equip you for the ministry of sexual assault prevention. Thank you for the good ministry you offer in your ministry setting and in your community every single day!
Bill