21 Aug 2026, 09:10Sharon Platt-McDonald, BUC Director for Health Ministries & Women’s Ministries
Abuse Awareness – A Compassionate Response
“True compassion means not only feeling another’s pain but also being moved to help relieve it.” – Daniel Goleman
Moved with Compassion is the focus for this year’s enditnow initiative. It is a timely and impactful theme, as we consider our response to allegations of abuse, and how we create nurturing spaces to keep individuals safe.
My prayer is that as we approach the enditnow Emphasis Day on Sabbath 22 August, we will be encouraged and inspired by the commitment to ensure the safeguarding of our women, children, vulnerable adults and all families impacted by abuse.
We celebrate the personal worth and value of every individual, as we demonstrate respect, and seek to provide the protection and safe environment that they require to thrive.
We are encouraged by the breaking of silence over cases of abuse and applaud the courage of all who stand against misogyny, patriarchy, discriminatory practices and the intimidation of women, children and vulnerable adults, recognising the extent of harm it causes.
Our gratitude to all involved in various abuse recovery ministries and restorative interventions for traumatised individuals, acknowledging the transformative impact they bring.
As you utilise the materials, we encourage you to exercise self-care, as the content and testimonials shared, may trigger painful memories, or reflect your current circumstance. If this is the case, we encourage you to connect with your Conference and Missions Counselling Service or someone with whom you can talk things through and get professional support and advice.
The BUC Safeguarding webpage, provides information on policies, support agencies and essential resources to raise awareness and bring help in times of crisis.
This year’s enditnow package was written by Karen Holford – Trans-European Division Director for Family, Children’s, and Health Ministries. This includes both sermon and seminar scripts with accompanying PowerPoint presentations and a children’s story.
Karen’s engaging, interactive and inspirational writing style, draws the reader into the narrative, giving practical tips, but also time for personal reflection and application.
This week as you read through the enditnow resources, watch the various recordings, and participate in this global abuse Emphasis Day, pray that God will use these materials to bring help, hope and healing to individuals and their families impacted by abuse.
enditnow Resources:
This year’s enditnow package: Adventist Women’s Ministries | enditnow Emphasis Day
General enditnow information & resources: Adventist Women’s Ministries | enditnow® Resources and News
Trans-European Division responds: enditnow® Calls Adventists to Turn Compassion Into Action – tedNEWS Network
North England Conference (NEC) enditnow emphasis week – A week-long series of nightly presentations streamed on the NEC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@necadventist
NEC enditnow promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qePkGcZz8zY
Here are some of the recordings so far:
Sunday’s NEC enditnow Conversations: End It Now Emphasis Week | From Silence To Hope
Monday’s NEC enditnow Conversations: End It Now Emphasis Week | From Betrayal To Breakthrough
Tuesday’s NEC enditnow Conversations: End It Now Emphasis Week | From Adversity To Purpose
Wednesday’s NEC enditnow Conversations: End It Now Emphasis Week | From Battered To Blessed
For the remaining NEC 2026 enditnow emphasis week YouTube recordings, access them at: https://www.youtube.com/@necadventist for the following programmes:
Thursday 20 – Interview with Dr Steve Palmer (NEC President)
Friday 21 – Sermon with Dr Gina Miller (NEC Women’s Ministries Director)
Sabbath 22 – Day of Fellowship
Other Key Resources
Brad Hambrick is the General Editor for a handbook by churchcares.com captioned – Becoming a Church that Cares Well for The Abused. The publication highlights how churches can learn to respond well to the initial report of abuse in a timely, professional manner, to aid the recovery of those harmed, and enable churches to be the places of refuge God intended. An overview of the publication states: “…this handbook brings together top experts from various fields to help pastors and ministry leaders understand and implement the best practices for handling a variety of abuse scenarios in churches, schools, or ministries.”
A Prayer
Compassionate Heavenly Father,
What a comfort to know that You understand our pain, and have the remedy that we need to recover from life’s traumas.
We are grateful for the individuals whose compassionate care brings hope to the lives of those crushed by the cruelty of abuse.
Healer of hearts, restorer of minds, thank You that in You, there is healing, restoration and transformation.
Amen.
Moved with Compassion is the focus for this year’s enditnow initiative. It is a timely and impactful theme, as we consider our response to allegations of abuse, and how we create nurturing spaces to keep individuals safe.
My prayer is that as we approach the enditnow Emphasis Day on Sabbath 22 August, we will be encouraged and inspired by the commitment to ensure the safeguarding of our women, children, vulnerable adults and all families impacted by abuse.
We celebrate the personal worth and value of every individual, as we demonstrate respect, and seek to provide the protection and safe environment that they require to thrive.
We are encouraged by the breaking of silence over cases of abuse and applaud the courage of all who stand against misogyny, patriarchy, discriminatory practices and the intimidation of women, children and vulnerable adults, recognising the extent of harm it causes.
Our gratitude to all involved in various abuse recovery ministries and restorative interventions for traumatised individuals, acknowledging the transformative impact they bring.
As you utilise the materials, we encourage you to exercise self-care, as the content and testimonials shared, may trigger painful memories, or reflect your current circumstance. If this is the case, we encourage you to connect with your Conference and Missions Counselling Service or someone with whom you can talk things through and get professional support and advice.
The BUC Safeguarding webpage, provides information on policies, support agencies and essential resources to raise awareness and bring help in times of crisis.
This year’s enditnow package was written by Karen Holford – Trans-European Division Director for Family, Children’s, and Health Ministries. This includes both sermon and seminar scripts with accompanying PowerPoint presentations and a children’s story.
Karen’s engaging, interactive and inspirational writing style, draws the reader into the narrative, giving practical tips, but also time for personal reflection and application.
This week as you read through the enditnow resources, watch the various recordings, and participate in this global abuse Emphasis Day, pray that God will use these materials to bring help, hope and healing to individuals and their families impacted by abuse.
enditnow Resources:
This year’s enditnow package: Adventist Women’s Ministries | enditnow Emphasis Day
General enditnow information & resources: Adventist Women’s Ministries | enditnow® Resources and News
Trans-European Division responds: enditnow® Calls Adventists to Turn Compassion Into Action – tedNEWS Network
North England Conference (NEC) enditnow emphasis week – A week-long series of nightly presentations streamed on the NEC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@necadventist
NEC enditnow promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qePkGcZz8zY
Here are some of the recordings so far:
Sunday’s NEC enditnow Conversations: End It Now Emphasis Week | From Silence To Hope
Monday’s NEC enditnow Conversations: End It Now Emphasis Week | From Betrayal To Breakthrough
Tuesday’s NEC enditnow Conversations: End It Now Emphasis Week | From Adversity To Purpose
Wednesday’s NEC enditnow Conversations: End It Now Emphasis Week | From Battered To Blessed
For the remaining NEC 2026 enditnow emphasis week YouTube recordings, access them at: https://www.youtube.com/@necadventist for the following programmes:
Thursday 20 – Interview with Dr Steve Palmer (NEC President)
Friday 21 – Sermon with Dr Gina Miller (NEC Women’s Ministries Director)
Sabbath 22 – Day of Fellowship
Other Key Resources
Brad Hambrick is the General Editor for a handbook by churchcares.com captioned – Becoming a Church that Cares Well for The Abused. The publication highlights how churches can learn to respond well to the initial report of abuse in a timely, professional manner, to aid the recovery of those harmed, and enable churches to be the places of refuge God intended. An overview of the publication states: “…this handbook brings together top experts from various fields to help pastors and ministry leaders understand and implement the best practices for handling a variety of abuse scenarios in churches, schools, or ministries.”
A Prayer
Compassionate Heavenly Father,
What a comfort to know that You understand our pain, and have the remedy that we need to recover from life’s traumas.
We are grateful for the individuals whose compassionate care brings hope to the lives of those crushed by the cruelty of abuse.
Healer of hearts, restorer of minds, thank You that in You, there is healing, restoration and transformation.
Amen.
