Recent Posts

Women's Ministries finds creative ways to address the problem of violence.

Italy | WM EUD news | January 2, 2023 | Lina Ferrara

In November 2022, many churches in Italy celebrated enditnow Day to raise awareness against violence and abuse. Each year, women's ministries in Italy reserves the Sabbath closest to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 for this special event.

Here are some reports from local churches.

On November 26, the Bari church concentrated on the theme, "Abuse of Power," covering it in the morning sermon and a seminar in the afternoon. Starting with a knife and a wood carving, the speaker showed that power itself is neither good nor bad; it depends on how it is used. Just as a carver can use a sharp tool to create a beautiful sculpture, the same tool can be used to hurt people. We must live with a sense of responsibility for the role we have, respecting our limits of power. The afternoon workshop was well attended. The participants, divided into groups, examined and discussed some abusive situations that often confront us throughout our lives. It was a new topic and was greatly appreciated.

On November 26, the Lungotevere Church in Rome placed a chair with a red robe at the pulpit to symbolize violence against women and to remind us that in Italy one in three women is a victim of violence, often fatal. The local leader of Women's Ministries and one of her staff members delivered the sermon and a seminar on "Abuse of Power." Both the morning and afternoon meetings highlighted several biblical texts on the topic.

On November 19, the church in Rome Appia observed enditnow Day. For the occasion, we established the "Busy Place." On a chair we placed a red bag and on the floor a pair of red shoes, to remember the women victims of femicide who can no longer occupy any place anywhere, not even in church. This year's topic was "Abuse of Power." Our guest speaker, the national director of Women's Ministries, gave the sermon. We must be careful and responsible for our actions so that we do not fall into abusive behavior. Our example always remains Jesus!

On November 25, an event was held in Catania, Sicily, at the former Manifattura Tabacchi, headquarters of the regional offices of the Sicilian Department of Cultural Heritage, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The meeting began with the testimony of two mothers condemned to grief by the death of their daughters who were victims of femicide. The event was also attended by the pastor of the Adventist Church of Catania with a speech entitled "Women who do not tell their stories," in which she delved into the topic, creating interaction with those present.

On December 10, Sabbath was dedicated to enditnow Day at the church in Sciacca, Sicily. The local women's ministries leader presented the sermon along with three other staff members. The "Busy Place" was also created in this church. In addition, children were also involved.

Photo credit: Italy WM 
As reported by Lina Ferrara, Women’s Ministries director, Italian Union of Churches, of Inter-European Division (EUD)
Originally posted by EUD Women's Ministries news

Published in Mosaic newsletter, 2023 Q1

enditnow® Day Observed in Italy

Women’s Ministries finds creative ways to address the problem of violence. Italy | WM EUD news | January 2, 2023 | Lina Ferrara In November 2022, many churches in Italy celebrated enditnow Day to raise awareness against violence and…

Long right arrow Read More

Domestic Violence Centers Help Victims

Romania | EUD WM News | January 19, 2023 ADRA Romania commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. As every year, ADRA Romania joins organizations worldwide in the fight against the violation of…

Long right arrow Read More

Orange Your World Day 2022

Photo action in local Adventist church is used for social media about enditnow® On November 19, people attending the church service in Tübingen, Germany, were invited to participate in a photo action for the 16 days…

Long right arrow Read More

Adventists Say ‘No To Violence’ Across Inter-America

September 8, 2022 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News Seventh-day Adventists throughout the Inter-American Division (IAD) called for an end to violence during the “Enditnow” campaign held recently. Enditnow is an annual global initiative…

Long right arrow Read More

Healthy Boundaries for Spiritual Leaders

Managing power without abuse is the true test of character and leadership. Leaders in Christian circles do not typically talk about the topic of power among leaders and much less about the abuse of power.…

Long right arrow Read More

Christians Need Resilience

enditnow® Sabbath is observed in Luebeck, Germany. Inter-European Division (EUD) [Germany] Marking enditnow® Emphasis Day with a sermon presented by Petra Lolk, the church service in Luebeck on January 23, 2021 concentrated on the topic “Resilience” What does…

Long right arrow Read More

Youth Ministries in Italy Joins enditnow® And Says No to Violence

Italian young people make enditnow® video spot viewed across Europe on social media. Inter-European Division (EUD) [Italy] From November 19, 2020, Adventist web sites (HopeMedia Italia, Women’s Ministries, Youth) and social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) are…

Long right arrow Read More

Thousands of Adventists March Against Domestic Violence in Brazil’s Capital

By: Rafael Brondani, South American Division, and Adventist Review More than 300 Seventh-day Adventist congregations in Brasilia, Brazil, and surrounding areas organized a variety of activities to raise public awareness and fight against domestic violence on…

Long right arrow Read More

enditnow® Campaign Breaking the Silence Launches Podcasts

Quebrando o Silêncio: The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Brazil launches podcasts to discuss violence in the family environment. This Tuesday, August 24, the Seventh-day Adventist Church launches a series of podcasts that discuss domestic violence in its…

Long right arrow Read More

enditnow® Campaign Addresses Pornography and Teen Violence

General Conference Women’s Ministries (GCWM) began addressing the issue of domestic violence and abuse in 2001 when delegates at Annual Council, one of two yearly business meetings of the Executive Committee of the General Conference,…

Long right arrow Read More