Our NEW Church Pack: Read the reviews!

Our new edition of our English language Church Pack launched on 8th March 2016 (International Women's Day).

Already, it's received positive reviews from several national church leaders, among them the Right Reverend Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester, who is an Ambassador for Restored. She says,“Love and Relationship is at the heart of who God is. Joining in with God’s work of transformation and hope begins by recognising the brokenness in us and around us. This pack is an excellent resource to enable followers of Christ to have their eyes and ears opened to the issue of abuse against women and have the courage to take action for the flourishing of those in our churches, chaplaincies and schools, and in the wider community. To close our eyes to the issue of domestic violence is to prefer the darkness to the light.”

The Right Reverend Alistair Redfern, Bishop of Derby had this to say: "Restored bring together experience, wisdom and energy for combatting this serious and often secret form of abuse. This pack shares this expertise and enables churches to play a full and vital part in the work.”

The Right Revd Andrew Watson, Bishop of Guildford, said, “Reported domestic abuse is alarmingly on the rise in our country, and is no respecter of social, racial or religious boundaries. As followers of Jesus it is vital that we join with others in praying, speaking out, and doing all we can to confront this evil in our society, seeking the protection and restoration of victims and the transformation of perpetrators alike. I commend this pack, and pray that it will be widely distributed and used.”

The Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth is Bishop of Coventry. He observed, "Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone’ (John 12.7). He intervened and would not let Judas abuse Mary. Jesus still says ‘Leave her alone’ to men in families, churches and communities who do violence to women physically, emotionally or spiritually. The Restored Pack for Churches is an invaluable resource to help Christ’s people hear his voice and to act on it.”

The Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin is Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, Priest in Charge of St Mary-at-Hill, Priest Vicar at Westminster Abbey and Chaplain to the Queen. She comments, “Reflecting on the content of this new pack being distributed to churches, it is my hope that all who receives it, may ask of themselves, ‘What role can I play in creating the change that there needs to be?’ In the book of Ruth, we see her faced with a dilemma, should she go her own way, start a new life and be free of the burden of caring about her Mother-in-law? She chose to stay with her and work for change. ‘Entreat me not to leave thee nor from following after thee, for wither thou goest, I will go, thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God.’ Like Ruth, let us commit ourselves to one another, teaching the next generation how to truly love and respect one another.”