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Marchers Show Support for Victims of Domestic Violence
ATLANTA, GA (May 10, 2005) - More than 200 survivors, relatives and friends
marched on Mothers Day to show support for victims of domestic violence,
an event orchestrated by the Center of Social Justice, a ministry of the
Commissioned Disciples Covenant Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
The group gathered at Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves, and then
marched silently the two miles to the state capital. The event was the
first official function of the new center, a component of the year-old
church plant in Stone Mountain. Jerry Wyatt, the center's director, led
efforts to rally the community and corporate sponsors after one of his
neighbors was murdered in March.
"The women who have been killed will never be forgotten, and this march
is a wonderful ministry to the community, which has come together to
grieve," says Catherine Gilliard, pastor of the Stone Mountain church.
Though some might consider the church to be small, averaging between 25
and 35 attendees on a Sunday morning, it already is making a mark on the
community it serves. "Once a month, as a church, we partner with
community based ministries and organizations that work with the poor,
abused, handicapped, elderly and homeless," Gilliard says. The small
church is able to accomplish great things, she suggests, as long as it
pays attention to God and to the poor. "We want to go where Jesus went.
"I truly believe that formation happens as we join God where he is
ministering," she adds. Through the center, the church hopes to empower
community members to effect social change, including how to advocate at
all levels of the political system.
Gilliard, who currently serves as chair of the Executive Board of the
Evangelical Covenant Church, also served at one time as chair of the
former administrative board of the Department of World Mission. She says
her experience in that role and her work with missionaries has
influenced her to be globally focused, as well as working within the
neighborhood. Several church members already have completed short-term
mission trips to Haiti and Congo.
"As our members return, they bring new insights as to how they've seen
God move on a global scale, and the difference each one of us can make
when we make ourselves available to the Holy Spirit's leading," she
says, stressing her belief that a local church will grow and have
greater impact in the community and world as leaders develop their
gifts. "I'm having a ball," Gilliard says. "We're seeing people discern
they have gifts for ministry.
"People really want to respond to the injustice that surrounds many in
our world, but they just don't know how to bring the different
organizations together," Gilliard continues. "God has a plan for us to
be change agents who mobilize people who are ready for the change to
take place."
To further stimulate the pace of change, the Stone Mountain church this
year plans to open a Center for Worship, a Center for Academic
Excellence, a Center of Compassion Ministries and a Center for
Performing Arts. Gilliard believes there is plenty of room in her church
for people with hearts for mission. "We're praying that others who have
been praying for a place to serve God will be led here to help change
lives."
Learning to live together also is a foundational value for the
multi-ethnic congregation, which Gilliard hopes will serve as model of
inclusiveness. "We challenge each other to live out what we say we
believe and that leads us into some great conversations about race,
gender, age and worship styles," Gilliard says. "We're learning how to
work through these issues as a biblical family."
The church meets in the clubhouse at a local apartment complex and meets
in the homes of members for small groups and Bible studies. Not having a
building helps the congregation advance its mission, Gilliard believes.
"It forces us to stay close to the street."
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