The Detroit Gathering through the lens of domestic violence

by The Rev. Kevin E. Frederick
PADVN Moderator

Liturgical dance followed the stories of domestic violence survivors. Photo courtesy of PHEWA

Members of the two PHEWA networks, PADVN and PACT, gathered together last January to plan a community organizing event around the theme of addressing domestic violence in Detroit. I had barely an inkling of the potential of how this partnership would transform how PHEWA and its group of networks might operate in the future. As the moderator of the Presbyterians Against Domestic Violence Network and a member of PADVN for the last five years, I have observed how we have grown in our effectiveness in educating Presbyterian pastors, elders and educators around the country. We have raised awareness amongst church leaders regarding the need for the church to not only speak out against domestic violence, but also to know how to respond when a victim or perpetrator of domestic violence is identified within a congregation. As a leadership team we have learned the importance of continuing to provide this type of training to congregations, presbyteries, synods and seminaries.

Participant learns about domestic violence through the “In Her Shoes” simulation. Photo courtesy of PHEWA

This September 2008 gathering took the contribution of the PADVN network to a whole different level of influence. By drawing local church pastors, domestic violence survivors and their families, community organizers and professionals who routinely work to address domestic violence, we were able to expand our resources and skills way beyond the reach of a local congregation. This conference was designed to impact a whole region of the city along with a number of different denominations who have partnered locally in the Detroit area to address the root causes and build community support and networks to meet the many needs that result from domestic violence.

The conference was divided into three major emphases including:

• An overview of domestic violence and the need of the church to address the issue in its worship, education and pastoral response to victims and perpetrators.
• An overview of the work of congregation-based community organizing and how it works when an entire community works together to address a particular need.
• An overview of a grassroots community, interdenominational domestic violence response model organized by the Rev. Diane Smalley, pastor of the Gratiot Presbyterian Church in Detroit and PADVN leadership team member.

As the moderator of PADVN, I was struck by the far-reaching level of effectiveness realized in inner city Detroit because of the community efforts led primarily by neighboring clergywomen of different denominations. These women were not satisfied with a vision of raising awareness in local churches. They had a vision that was nothing less than transforming their whole neighborhood. This group involved city and state political and professional leadership to help them assess, educate and develop a strategy that would bring about the desired outcomes. I learned more about effecting community change from the work of this group of dedicated and focused clergy women than I had previously known.

As a network with the focus of addressing domestic violence in Presbyterian faith communities, the organizing model used in Detroit serves as a dynamic witness of faith and action brought to bear on one of the greatest crises facing families in America today.