Be part of the dialogue for change... Join the FOUR of us for a unique evening as the *four travelers (see below) reunite with dialogue centering on a special release of the documentary "FROM DARKNESS" featuring Marjo Mitsutomi (present at event) and several other courageous and heart-searing women who dare to share the stories of sexual abuse, assault and their contemplative process of "becoming unfrozen."
Jerry Platt PhD, Marjo Mitsutomi PhD, Tracy Covington PhD Kurt Bickford PhD
The *four of us traveled to Finland and Estonia in September to bring teachings/trainings regarding the severe and ever present sexual assault occurring within the church. We met with students, clergy, psychologists, practitioners and anyone who wanted to listen, share and learn. Our hearts were heavy, bright, crushed and enlightened. We found ourselves up too late at night not wanting the conversation to end and meeting the sunrise to begin again...
why?
Because we are all so ready for this dialogue.
AND...although THIS EVENT is not specific to #SafeChurch and the sexual abuse within the Church, but more so, sexual abuse/trauma and the impact within our community, our family, our life...
You are also so very ready for this dialogue...
WHY?
The best way I know how to tell you that you are ready for this dialogue is that you are reading this email... you are already pulled to growing your consciousness or Self or you wouldn't be here... with these words, right now. This event falls on the heels of some very turbulent weeks. The thought had been rumbling in my head... the yearning to connect to you all, a way to process, share and debrief. Timing was impressively noted when I received a note from Marjo that she was given special permission to play the documentary (From Darkness). The timing was ineffable, and I was elated... an opportunity for our community to see this intensely deep, loving and enlightening short movie, followed by some brief teaching/sharings... and a dialogue. HEALING. Because, that's how it works!
Y'know, so many of us are so entrenched in the trauma of what is happening to us and around us we are not only frozen, we don't even know we are frozen. Yes. We don't even know we are frozen.
I had a very brilliant professor share an article with me this week. I read it over and over again... the meaning so aligned with this exact conundrum... it quoted abolitionist, Harriet Tubman. Harriet was exasperated, she was expressing her frustration on the issues of how slaves were programmed into powerlessness. She threw her hands up stating ... "I could have freed thousands more, if they had known they were slaves." You see, powerlessness is the greatest oppression. When we are powerless and when we continue to engage in doing nothing, speaking or saying nothing... we are powerless, we are frozen. We don't even know we are frozen. We don't know we are slaves; thus we can't be freed nor do we see the need to free self or others.
So what life then, is it we are living? Asleep. Compromised. Inauthentic. Sick.
Would you like to know more? Or, You can REGISTER!
SEATING IS SUPER LIMITED... and REGISTRATION IS AVAILBLE ONLY ONLINE :)
Read on...?
... here's a few statistics to consider:
Sexual Assault in the United States
Child Sexual Abuse
Campus Sexual Assault
Crime Reports
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Thanks for reading all the WAY THROUGH!!!
I look forward to seeing you there!
WE worked hard to make this worth your time... it's just $10 to attend... and we will have water and treats on-site!
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
SO... last thoughts:
Tracy J Covington
Bickford & Covington
511 Brookside Avenue
Redlands, Ca 92373