Congo Sabbath Initiative
Over the past ten years, hundreds of thousands of woman and girls living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been victims of brutal sexual violence, leaving them with devastating physical conditions such as lesions, traumatic fistulae, and HIV. In recent months there has been growing international attention to this crisis and the religious community is joining the chorus of voices calling for an end to this severe violation of human rights. Follow this link for more information.
Over the past ten years, hundreds of thousands of woman and girls living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been victims of brutal sexual violence, leaving them with devastating physical conditions such as lesions, traumatic fistulae, and HIV. In recent months there has been growing international attention to this crisis and the religious community is joining the chorus of voices calling for an end to this severe violation of human rights. Follow this link for more information.
The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing has launched the 
Congo Sabbath Initiative, an effort to engage faith communities in raising awareness about violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Forty-eight nationally recognized religious leaders, leadership of seven denominations, including the General Minister and Presidents for the UCC and the Disciples, John Thomas and Sharon Watkins, and the National Council of Churches, have joined the Religious Institute in calling for congregations to participate in the Congo Sabbath Initiative.
“Congo Sabbath” is a day when congregations sponsor an educational program on the DRC crisis, raise funds to provide medical services to Congolese women and girls, or include a prayer during its worship service for the Congolese people. Congregations can decided when they want to focus on this issue – a particular date is not indicated. The Religious Institute is working in conjunction with the efforts of V-Day and UNICEF, on behalf of UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict. They have developed a global campaign to stop rape in the DRC, highlighting the role of women as activists. One result of the Campaign will be the establishment of the City of Joy at the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu—a center for women who have survived rape and torture.
Through our partner church in the DRC, the Church of Christ in the Congo, and Global Ministries a special outreach project to women who have been raped has been established.
We are encouraging donations to this special project as part of your church’s Congo Sabbath.
To sign up as a congregation participating in the Congo Sabbath and for resources for your congregation: http://www.religiousinstitute.org/CongoEndorsers.html
To learn more, and to make a donation online, go to: http://globalministries.org/africa/projects/survivors-of-violent-rape-in.html
All of your contribution will be forwarded to the Church of Christ in the Congo without administrative or bank fees taken out, thanks to the generosity of support for Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) and Disciples Mission Fund (DMF).