photo from muppetfandom.com
“Who are the people in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood, in your neigh-bor-hood? … They’re the people that you meet each day!”
This sweet song from Sesame Street taught many of us about the many helpers all around us. It seemed to say, just look around – all these ordinary people make up a community that understands, helps, and supports one another.
What do we mean by “Community” when it comes to Journey to Bethany?
These are the people who have said:
“yes” – send me your emails
“yes” – I’d like to attend your prayer service
“yes” – I have the time and skills to volunteer
“yes” – I want to be aware of survivor’s needs
“yes” – I care, how can I help?
Our community includes many different experiences of a healing journey–family of survivors who want to give testimony to their person’s struggle, counselors and advocates, survivors who are rebuilding trust, and survivors who are at a place where they can help others. It also includes those who are often the first trusted when someone discloses abuse: deacons, Protecting God’s Children facilitators, priests, and parish mental health volunteers. It includes all who share their time and skills and donors who provide financial support.
In short, if you are reading this, you are a member of the Journey to Bethany community. Journey to Bethany was founded to serve ALL those who were harmed by clergy sexual abuse – that includes survivors and their family or closest supporters, and it can also extend to many of us.
There are many ways to participate in Journey to Bethany – simply be open to the topic of healing from abuse and the invitation to co-create this ministry.
Who can you invite to the Journey to Bethany community?
P.S. If you need a little smile, here’s a link to the song.
