On Sabbath, November 23, the Valencia Vives Adventist Church opened its doors to a deeply meaningful event as part of Women's Ministries Enditnow® Emphasis Day 2024, under the national theme “Go Find My Sheep.” A day full of reflection, learning, and healing, designed to address an urgent and necessary issue: the mistreatment and abuse of women.
A refuge for the wounded heart
The day began with a powerful morning sermon by Iulia Ionita and Natali Basto. Both, with sensitivity and wisdom, took the congregation on a journey through the invisible realities many people face. They spoke of mistreatment and abuse, not only as a social scourge but also as a burden that our churches are called to address with compassion and firmness.
They stressed that churches must be a refuge for victims, a safe space to find emotional, spiritual and communal healing. At the same time, they underscored the need to establish clear boundaries and support networks for those who, out of their own traumas, have perpetuated cycles of violence. The message was clear: Christ's love not only redeems, but also confronts, heals, and transforms.
A shocking fact was shared during the reflection: 1 in 3 women in the world suffer some kind of abuse daily. This statistic resonated strongly among the attendees, reminding us of the urgency of being the hands and feet of Jesus for those who suffer the most.
The workshop: molding pots, restoring lives
In the afternoon, the church experienced an equally transformative moment with the workshop presentation entitled “Trauma”, given by Belén Gonzaga. Through an interactive and practical approach, Belén addressed the problem of abuse from the perspective of the emotional and psychological impact it generates. The workshop included an activity with ceramics that left a special mark on the participants. Each person had the opportunity to form a clay pot. An exercise that evoked the figure of the biblical potter in Jeremiah 18, and also allowed attendees to reflect on how our life experiences, even the most painful ones, shape who we are. The pots, imperfect but beautiful, became a tangible metaphor for the restoration that God can bring to our lives.
“Go Find My Sheep": a call to action.
This event was not just a one-time activity, but a key part of the Spanish Adventist Union's national program for Women's Ministries Enditnow® Emphasis Day 2024. Under the theme “Go Find My Sheep,” the initiative seeks to mobilize local churches to be agents of change, justice, and restoration in their communities. In a world where violence against women and children remains an open wound, addressing these issues from the pulpit and in community learning spaces is an essential step. The church, as the body of Christ, cannot be indifferent to these issues. We are called to offer refuge to those who suffer, restore with love and confront with truth, all under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
A commitment that transcends the day
Women's Emphasis Day 2024 at Valencia Vives was a reminder that Jesus' call to “seek his sheep” is not optional. It is an urgent task that invites us to listen to the cries of the vulnerable. We must walk with the broken and be living witnesses of divine restoration. As look back at this event, the commitment remains: to continue to create safe and healing spaces. A place where every vessel, no matter how broken, can be reshaped by the loving hands of our heavenly Potter.
According to a report by : Loida Burgos, from the Valencia-Vives Seventh-day Adventist Church.
https://revista.adventista.es/dia-de-enfasis-de-la-mujer-2024-en-valencia-vives/