The Canastota Area Association of Churches marked National Abuse Awareness month with a recent vigil Saturday April 23. The event called “Restoring Hope” was hosted at the Church of the Nazarene and developed jointly by the CAAC and Liberty Resources. The evening consisted of a healing time of prayer and worship, challenging stories of recovery from abuse, and concluded with participants lighting sparklers in the night to symbolize the renewal of hope in the souls of victims of abuse. The success of the observance was reflected in how long the 60+ people attending lingered afterward over refreshments and sharing encouragement with one another.
Canastota’s Church Association determined some time ago to make outreach to abused people an ongoing joint ministry and to seek ways to bring healing to folks injured by any form of abuse.
“Elder abuse and bullying are harming our communities as well as domestic and child abuse. It’s time Christian people stand together and be a light to our neighbors. This vigil represents our first steps toward offering healing to those who need it,” said CAAC past President Scott Trefz.
Several area churches displayed those bright blue pinwheels for Child Abuse Awareness during April also, and the plan is to grow the observations next year.
A follow-up class for women recovering from abuse is being offered Thursday evenings through June at Believers Chapel and conducted by trained counselors from Liberty Resources. Though registration for this initial class filled up before the vigil was even held, there are plans to conduct more recovery workshops in the near future; contact Liberty Resources or the Chapel office for more information.