HUNTINGTON – The Second Annual Interfaith Candlelight Vigil on the Huntington town green will be held this Thursday from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Hilltown Domestic Violence Interfaith Initiative, the vigil is intended to “shine the light” on domestic violence in the hilltowns and in our society at large.
Rev. Carol B. Smith of the First Congregational Church in Huntington will be the guest speaker. Smith said she will read paraphrased quotes from a number of victims to tell a typical story of domestic violence.
Smith said it’s important for faith leaders to get involved, because often people experiencing domestic violence go to their faith communities first, where help is not always found. She said faith communities are interested in keeping families together, which is not always safe when there is violence and abuse.
“I believe our places of worship should be sanctuaries that provide safe community, compassion, and assurance of God’s love and acceptance to victims and survivors of domestic violence and intimate partner abuse. A person’s faith should be a resource to them not a roadblock. So, to me, that means a place of worship should be a safe space where someone can tell their stories and experiences and be listened to without fear or judgment. The reality is that often the issues of domestic violence and abuse make us uncomfortable. So, something that I strive to be as a faith leader is a safe presence that provides connection to qualified resources; one who is willing to accompany them on their healing journey as they wrestle with the questions of faith and life and church,” Smith said.
Faith leaders from Huntington, Russell, Chester, and Westhampton, among others, are expected to participate in the vigil and share a joint reading of belief and intention. Youth participants will also read, and music by harpists will be provided.
The highlight of the vigil will be the lighting of the candles. Smith said as the flame is shared from one candle to another, “the light of the combined candles will grow – a symbol of hope growing and spreading as people and people of faith come together to ‘shine the light’ on the issues of domestic violence.”
Following the vigil, refreshments will be served, and printed information and resources will be shared.
“I got involved with the Hilltown Domestic Violence Interfaith Faith Initiative because as a pastor in the United Church of Christ, I believe the teachings of Jesus call me to resist and work to abolish all violence and abuse wherever it shows up in the peoples’ lives, and especially when it shows up in intimate relationships. As people of faith I believe we are called to love each other in the same way that Jesus loved us. That kind of love leaves no room for violence or abuse of each other in any type of relationship,” Smith said.
In addition to the vigil, the Hilltown Domestic Violence Interfaith Initiative offers a program for churches that includes the showing of a video from the Faith Trust Institute, and a discussion on domestic violence. For more information on available programs, contact the [email protected].
