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Spirituality
Hope Covenant Church to offer workshop about abuse BY ALISON STANTON
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Yvonne DeVaughn understands how hard it can be for people to talk about domestic violence and sexual assault. As national director of Evangelical Covenant Church’s Advocates for Victims of Abuse (AVA), DeVaughn also knows how important it is to educate as many people as possible about all aspects of abuse, and offer resources on how to get help. From 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, Hope Covenant Church in Chandler will hold an event called “Pain In Our Midst— Healing Roads to Healing Community.” DeVaughn, who is a member of the church, said the free event will be hosted by AVA and will include a panel discussion and guest speakers who will share their stories of abuse and healing, as well as a breakfast and a question-and-answer period. “Our congregation seems to be very open to issues in the community and this is one of them,” DeVaughn said. “Our church has a history of working with people who are overcoming domestic violence or childhood sexual assault.” In addition to raising awareness about abuse, DeVaughn said she hopes the event will empower survivors to seek the help that they need, as well as disprove some of the myths about abuse. “People may think that it doesn’t happen in church families, but that is not true,” she said. “We want to make it a safe place to
break their silence, and not be afraid to talk about their issues. It’s also important to learn how we can walk with someone and support them when they are being abused.” Because domestic violence shelters are typically prohibited from talking about religion with their guests, DeVaughn said the upcoming event will also help people who are wondering how abuse will affect their faith. “We can bring support from the spiritual side,” she said. “We’re not trying to duplicate the community agencies. We are trying to partner with them and get to know them so we can point people to them.” Ivia Hess, a member of Hope Covenant Church who is helping with advertising for the event, said everyone is welcome to attend. “For many people domestic violence starts in their teen years, and retirees may still not be dealing with abuse issues, and this could really help them,” Hess said. Friends and family members of abuse victims are also welcome. “Everyone thinks it won’t happen to them, but everybody will be touched by some type of abuse at some point. If not now, it will be later. We just want as many people as possible to come, and we are just there to inform them.” Hope Covenant Church is located at 1770 S. Dobson Rd. in Chandler. For more information, visit http:// hopechurchchandler.com.
Jan. 23 - Feb. 5, 2016
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Spiritual Reflections
Popeye moments
hearts. In this short but profound Psalm, we read the words of a man One of my favorite cartoons when who is not overwhelmed by busyness I was growing up was Popeye. You or consumed by pressures. may recall that when He is not spinning into free something really terrible fall because of anxiety and was happening, Popeye stress. Rather, he is quiet would say, “That’s all I can before the Lord. Is that really stands, and I can’t stands no possible in a world that is like more!” Well, his grammar a tumultuous sea threatening wasn’t the best, but I think our little ship on every side? most folks can identify with Yes, it is possible! For those his frustration. Tensions who know Jesus Christ as surface, pressures mount, Lord and Savior have a Father stress builds, and before in heaven who loves them, you know it you feel like hears their prayers, and is saying, “That’s all I can strong to deliver them in stands, and I can’t stands time of need. Furthermore, no more!” Had any Popeye according to the Bible, they moments lately? Well, have the hope of a better we’ve all been there at one Marc Drake. Submitted country (a heavenly one) time or another (perhaps and the assurance that photo too many times to count). their conquering Savior has But I have found powerful defeated death and has help in God’s Word for those experiences delivered them from it as well! of pressure and stress. Consider the How good it is to know that in our following passages: daily lives God is able to make His In quietness and trust is your strength powerful presence known and to bring (Isaiah 30:15). Be still, and know that I am peace and quiet to our noisy spirits. And God (Psalm 46:10). The Lord is good to not only is He able to do it, He delights those who wait for Him, to the person to do it. As the great British preacher, who seeks Him (Lamentations 3:25). Rest Charles Spurgeon, said: “Because He’s in the Lord and wait patiently for Him the living God, He can hear. Because He’s (Psalm 37:7a). The Lord favors those who a loving God, He will hear.” Yes, there’s fear Him, those who wait for His loving a peace from God that surpasses all kindness (Psalm 147:11). comprehension (see Philippians 4:6-7). It’s also good to ponder the words of We don’t have to be controlled by Psalm 131—a wonderful tonic for troubled Popeye moments!
BY DR. MARC DRAKE, SENIOR PASTOR, SUN LAKES BAPTIST CHURCH
Spiritual Reflections Share your spiritual reflections The spiritual leaders of SanTan Sunarea churches, temples, mosques and other religious and spiritual gathering places are invited to contribute their Spiritual Reflections in essay format by sending their thoughts, enlightening insights and other writings of a spiritual nature to news@ santansun.com.
Be certain to put “Spiritual Reflections submission” in the subject line. Include your first and last name, title and facility name, address, phone number and website. Spiritual Reflections are printed on a space-available basis, and submission does not guarantee print. The opinions represented in this column are those of the author and not those of the SanTan Sun News.
Nudelman to speak at first Sisterhood meeting of new year Merle Nudelman will discuss “Metamorphosis: Insight and Change Through Poetry” during the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation Sisterhood’s first meeting of the new year at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21. Speaking at the Chapel House at Sun Lakes, Nudelman will cover the connection between creative expression, loss and healing. She will speak about why she began to write poems and the power of the creative process to open new paths of compassion, understanding and peace with what was and with what is. She will unpack the profound gifts that this work has brought to her as she expressed and honored her family’s experience during and after the Holocaust. Nudelman, a lawyer, poet and educator, has published four books of poetry with Guenica Editions in Canada.
“Borrowed Light,” her first collection, won the 2004 Canadian Jewish Book Award for Poetry. Her books and poems have garnered prizes and have appeared in literary and educational journals, anthologies and zines. She leads workshops on creative writing and on healing through words. She is working on a book of nonfiction. She is also poetry editor of the literary journal Parchment. In other Sisterhood news, the reservations deadline is Jan. 15 for the Feb. 2 card party. As always, donations for Toys from the Heart are always appreciated. Donations, as well as dues payments ($30), can be sent to Phyllis, at 3495 E. County Down Dr., Chandler, AZ, 85249. For more information, call Suzy Zeigler at (480) 460-5574.