of the Inter-European Division
Renamed enditnow Emphasis Day in 2014, the fourth Sabbath of August was originally designated Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day when Annual Council voted, September 26, 2001, to add this day to the worldwide church calendar.
General Conference Women's Ministries (GC WM) coordinates the production and distribution of the enditnow Emphasis Day resource packets which include an order of divine service, sermon, seminar, PowerPoint presentations for both the sermon and seminar, and various other helpful materials.
The packet sermons and seminars are provided by the seven General Conference (GC) departments who co-sponsor enditnow. Each of the sponsoring departments are committed to developing and sharing resources that address many expressions of abuse against women, children, and men. Joining Women's Ministries are:
Children's Ministries
Family Ministries
Ministerial Association
Education
Health Ministries
Youth Ministries
The global initiative enditnow raises awareness and advocates for the end of violence against wormen and girls around the world. It aims to mobiize Adventists around the world and invites other community groups to join in to resolve this worldwide issue.
Women's Ministries will be working with Family Ministries, Health Ministries, Children's Ministries, Youth Department, Education Department, and Ministerial Association in preparing materials for the prevention emphasis day. Although it is an uncomfortable subject for many people it has become more and more obvious that abuse is a serious problem for Christians, for Adventists. Abuse in any form deforms the body of Christ—for the victim, for the perpetrator, and for the church that is left with the hurting members.
The Emphasis Day will provide an opportunity for local churches to address this issue to educate church members and leadership, and to let victims know that their church cares.
Women's Ministries directors in the local churches should plan very early so that this day can be a part of the local church planning. Work closely with your pastor, keeping him or her informed.
Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day represents a "step in the right direction," said Karen Flowers, associate director of Family Ministries at the General Conference. Family Ministries has already developed a range of resources on this subject that will be of great value as they become more well used at the local level.
The latest material in English, and some archived material, can be downloaded from the General Conference Women's Ministries Website
Further archived material in English is available here.
Brochure 1 About abuse
Brochure 2 Health consequences for women and girls
Brochure 3 Love should not hurt
Brochure 4 Relationships and violence
Brochure 5 Breaking the silence about abuse
Brochure 6 Stop child abuse!