DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS, ADVOCATES AND FAITH LEADERS URGED TO ATTEND UPCOMING CONFERENCE
The Soul Sanctuary is pressing forward with plans for its Interfaith Domestic Violence Conference. This year’s event, OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART is focused on the issue of domestic violence and the tremendous hush that continues to sweep it under the rug in Christian faiths. The conference is scheduled for Saturday, January 12, 2008, 8:30am - 1:00pm, at the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel (off of I-95 and Griffin Road) in Broward. Maria Pinkston, Founder/CEO of The Soul Sanctuary, a non-profit organization formed to promote healthy relationships and violence-free families, is a survivor of domestic violence and says she hopes this conference, while sadly not deemed necessary by pastors and other faith leaders, will “open our eyes, open our hearts, open our minds and strengthen the dialogue on the role of faith in building healthy and violence free families.”
Pinkston says in light of the mass media hoopla and public relations circus surrounding the altercation and subsequent separation of Pastor Thomas Weeks III and Evangelist Juanita Bynum and the proclamation that she is now the face of domestic violence, it is absolutely crucial that we let “victims of domestic violence know that we know they have long had a face, that it has been black and blue for so long and we have not forgotten about them. They are absolutely the reason this conference is necessary”.
Pinkston says the faith community must become more visible, vigilant and variant in the approaches to end domestic violence. In an open letter to faith leaders recently, Pinkston poured her heart into what victims face: violence at home and no help in worship. An excerpt of that letter reads:
“Dear Pastor, Rabbi, Imam, Spiritual Leader, You do not know me though you have seen me before in worship - regularly. I am a follower, a worshipper, a believer. I believe in my faith so much that I may be risking my life. You see I am married to a man whom I love very much but he sometimes hurts me. His words once sweet, can be so vicious. His hands that used to hold, hug, and caress me - now hit me. But that's okay, right? I can take it. I mean he hasn't killed me yet and what doesn't kill you can only make you stronger right? My faith is growing stronger because of him. I need somewhere to turn to know that things will get better. I keep going because I believe that God, Allah, the Almighty, the Creator will make it all right. I believe that my faith will protect me and make the situation at home better. I must admit that I also attend services waiting for you to say something; waiting for you to tell me this is wrong. But so far all I have heard is that the higher power is in control, to have faith, to keep my vows. So I wait for (God, Allah, Jehovah) to work it out. I believe that one day the violence will stop. Sometimes I am afraid he may kill me. Part of my soul is already dead. Maybe you will read this letter and say something before things gets any worse.”
The conference is formatted to serve as a community discussion on domestic violence. Presenters include: Author Latasha Hines, who will discuss healing from abusive and toxic relationships, Poet and Advocate Norvel Holyfield, who will share her riveting story of going from abuse to advocacy; Publicist and Author Valorie N. Parker, recounts her story of being a victim and the pastor’s wife. Additional speakers are: Pastor Dmitri Cato-Watson who will unravel the emotional distress involved as a clergy member who counseled a couple in a violent relationship that led to a murder-suicide; Pastor J.R. Thicklin from Destiny By Choice, share the work that he is doing with perpetrators, victims and clergy and Barbara Hansen, author and special guest speaker from Boston, MA is slated to share her personal story of being abused as a child. Pinkston, will also share her on personal struggle with her faith after a group of women from her church told her to remain in an abusive marriage.
Conference registration is only $20. Pinkston says she is asking churches, business owners and individual persons to not only attend the conference, but to help her assure victims - with no financial resources get to the conference. The Soul Sanctuary is asking that groups of five or ten tickets be purchased, so that the group can donate the tickets to organizations like Women In Distress, SafeSpace and others. Registration will be accepted at the door. To register individually or as a group attending, visit
www.thesoulsanctuary.org. To purchase group tickets to be donated please call 800-791-2630.
Every Faith, Every Person - Let’s Come Together for a Multi-Faith Dialogue on Ending Domestic Violence in our Families and in our Places of Worship
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