Sep 18, 2024, 4:01 PMMaxine Donovan, Communications & Prayer Ministries
‘END IT NOW’ EMPHASIS CAMPAIGN COMES TO TOTTENHAM LIGHTHOUSE
Sabbath, 17 August was a historic day for Tottenham Lighthouse, as it was one of four venues chosen to host the ‘End It Now Emphasis Campaign’ for 2024. The theme for the day was, ‘Breaking the Silence’. ‘End It Now’ is normally held on the fourth Sabbath in August but inspired by the Holy Spirit Sis Anastasia Ross, the newly elected SEC Women’s Ministries Director, in collaboration with Sis Sharon Platt-McDonald, BUC Women’s Ministries Director organised an ‘End It Now Emphasis Campaign’ over four Sabbaths in August from the 3rd – 24th. Joining us at Tottenham Lighthouse for the day were: Sis Anastasia Ross, the speaker for Divine Service; Sis Sharon Platt-McDonald; Dr Jude Jeanville, Pastor of Tottenham Lighthouse and Councillor Midnight Ross (no relations to Sis Anastasia Ross) - an Abuse Solicitor & Trainer who sits on Hackney Council’s Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee and Audit Committee. Our members came dressed for the occasion, having being told by Sis Cheryl Simmons, Women’s Ministries Leader to wear a ‘dash of red.’
Sis Anastasia Ross was introduced by Sis Sharon Platt-McDonald as being handpicked by God, as her life experiences had prepared her for this role. We learnt of Sis Ross’ commitment to the Lord, being the host of the Prayer Hour every Wednesday, and of her many leadership accomplishments in the past, including being the Youth Director with Pastor Wesley Knight and Stewardship Director with Pastor Samuel Bulgin in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sis Ross’ message contained information that was uncomfortable to listen to. The Crime Survey in the UK highlighted that for the year ending March 2023, of 2.1m persons aged 16+ interviewed, 1.4m women and 751,000 men experienced domestic abuse. A study done by a non-Adventist, Professor Diana Garland on Clergy Abuse – those within the church with leadership roles –showed that incidences were three times more frequent in African-Caribbean congregations. Dr Rene Drumm, Southwestern Adventist University felt that this study could not be correct and did her own research. She discovered that we were ranked number five amongst the denominations for abuse, but we had the least prosecutions, for we did not bring it to trial. Sis Ross stressed that it was time to break the silence, as the action of another person can change your whole life.
Using the story of David and Bathsheba found in 2 Samuel 11:1-27, Sis Ross pointed out that the focus has always been on David and little attention paid to the story from Bathsheba’s perspective. David being a powerful king could not be denied by Bathsheba, a woman with no power. He saw, coveted, committed adultery, lied to cover his act and committed murder. It was noted that Bathsheba who suffered at the hands of David was not chastised by God, but he was. The decision and action of David changed the course of history as this was not what God had ordained for him. Sis Ross stated that there were Davids and Bathshebas in our midst and they needed support and counselling. The church has to be fair but firm, also kind yet accountable. She encouraged the church to: (1) Put plans in place to find the lost; (2) Cultivate an environment of zero tolerance to abuse; (3) Say NO to violence and work together to End It Now; (4) Support victims of abuse- breaking the silence in our church and community and (5) Help them heal. At the end of the service, Dr Jude Jeanville thanked Sisters Anastasia Ross, Sharon Platt-McDonald and all those who participated.
After lunch, Sis Cheryl Simmons invited us outside to the front of the church to make our voices heard by the community that as a church we do not tolerate or accept abuse. We could see that people passing by and those visiting the Food Hub approved of what we were doing. Drivers ‘honked’ their horns in support, as we shouted ‘End it Now’ as the various forms of abuse were mentioned. We later returned inside the church where Sis Sharon Platt-McDonald shared a presentation on ‘Breaking the Silence – Speaking Out Against Abuse.’ Her presentation also shared some disturbing statistics on Domestic Abuse. Can you imagine that every 30 seconds a domestic abuse call is made to the police? We learnt that domestic violence impacts the entire family. Sis Platt-McDonald used the story of Tamar’s rape found in 2 Samuel Chapter 13, and the trauma she experienced, to highlight the effects of abuse. There was a lively discussion throughout, with Sis Platt-McDonald sharing many of her work experiences to help us gain a better understanding of the topic.
It is reassuring to know that the Seventh-day Adventist Church opposes abuse of every kind. Survivors of abuse can experience liberation and healing with support and counselling. We have all been victims of abuse due to the impact of sin, so let us accept Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28. “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
Sabbath, 17 August was a historic day for Tottenham Lighthouse, as it was one of four venues chosen to host the ‘End It Now Emphasis Campaign’ for 2024. The theme for the day was, ‘Breaking the Silence’. ‘End It Now’ is normally held on the fourth Sabbath in August but inspired by the Holy Spirit Sis Anastasia Ross, the newly elected SEC Women’s Ministries Director, in collaboration with Sis Sharon Platt-McDonald, BUC Women’s Ministries Director organised an ‘End It Now Emphasis Campaign’ over four Sabbaths in August from the 3rd – 24th. Joining us at Tottenham Lighthouse for the day were: Sis Anastasia Ross, the speaker for Divine Service; Sis Sharon Platt-McDonald; Dr Jude Jeanville, Pastor of Tottenham Lighthouse and Councillor Midnight Ross (no relations to Sis Anastasia Ross) - an Abuse Solicitor & Trainer who sits on Hackney Council’s Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee and Audit Committee. Our members came dressed for the occasion, having being told by Sis Cheryl Simmons, Women’s Ministries Leader to wear a ‘dash of red.’
Sis Anastasia Ross was introduced by Sis Sharon Platt-McDonald as being handpicked by God, as her life experiences had prepared her for this role. We learnt of Sis Ross’ commitment to the Lord, being the host of the Prayer Hour every Wednesday, and of her many leadership accomplishments in the past, including being the Youth Director with Pastor Wesley Knight and Stewardship Director with Pastor Samuel Bulgin in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sis Ross’ message contained information that was uncomfortable to listen to. The Crime Survey in the UK highlighted that for the year ending March 2023, of 2.1m persons aged 16+ interviewed, 1.4m women and 751,000 men experienced domestic abuse. A study done by a non-Adventist, Professor Diana Garland on Clergy Abuse – those within the church with leadership roles –showed that incidences were three times more frequent in African-Caribbean congregations. Dr Rene Drumm, Southwestern Adventist University felt that this study could not be correct and did her own research. She discovered that we were ranked number five amongst the denominations for abuse, but we had the least prosecutions, for we did not bring it to trial. Sis Ross stressed that it was time to break the silence, as the action of another person can change your whole life.
Using the story of David and Bathsheba found in 2 Samuel 11:1-27, Sis Ross pointed out that the focus has always been on David and little attention paid to the story from Bathsheba’s perspective. David being a powerful king could not be denied by Bathsheba, a woman with no power. He saw, coveted, committed adultery, lied to cover his act and committed murder. It was noted that Bathsheba who suffered at the hands of David was not chastised by God, but he was. The decision and action of David changed the course of history as this was not what God had ordained for him. Sis Ross stated that there were Davids and Bathshebas in our midst and they needed support and counselling. The church has to be fair but firm, also kind yet accountable. She encouraged the church to: (1) Put plans in place to find the lost; (2) Cultivate an environment of zero tolerance to abuse; (3) Say NO to violence and work together to End It Now; (4) Support victims of abuse- breaking the silence in our church and community and (5) Help them heal. At the end of the service, Dr Jude Jeanville thanked Sisters Anastasia Ross, Sharon Platt-McDonald and all those who participated.
After lunch, Sis Cheryl Simmons invited us outside to the front of the church to make our voices heard by the community that as a church we do not tolerate or accept abuse. We could see that people passing by and those visiting the Food Hub approved of what we were doing. Drivers ‘honked’ their horns in support, as we shouted ‘End it Now’ as the various forms of abuse were mentioned. We later returned inside the church where Sis Sharon Platt-McDonald shared a presentation on ‘Breaking the Silence – Speaking Out Against Abuse.’ Her presentation also shared some disturbing statistics on Domestic Abuse. Can you imagine that every 30 seconds a domestic abuse call is made to the police? We learnt that domestic violence impacts the entire family. Sis Platt-McDonald used the story of Tamar’s rape found in 2 Samuel Chapter 13, and the trauma she experienced, to highlight the effects of abuse. There was a lively discussion throughout, with Sis Platt-McDonald sharing many of her work experiences to help us gain a better understanding of the topic.
It is reassuring to know that the Seventh-day Adventist Church opposes abuse of every kind. Survivors of abuse can experience liberation and healing with support and counselling. We have all been victims of abuse due to the impact of sin, so let us accept Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28. “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”