Fri., August 30, 2024
Jayne Begala
Changing lives gala
As an Episcopalian, I try in both my prayer life and my life within community to show up, declare myself present to God’s Presence, and to humbly be a conduit for the work of the Holy Spirit right here and right now.
I believe that tiny divine spark in each of us can move us to do Christ’s work in our communities, to share our gifts to help our neighbors who are suffering in often unseen ways. Within the umbrella of that belief, I have personally felt a calling to serve those affected by domestic violence (DV) in our community. I serve on the Board of Haven, the largest domestic and sexual violence crisis center in New Hampshire, serving 48 cities and towns across Rockingham and Strafford counties. And last year I brought Haven to the St. John’s congregation through the “Out of the Box” series.
How big – and how near – is the problem? According to the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence:
1 in 4 women in NH have been sexually assaulted
33.4% of women in NH have experienced intimate partner violence
81% of perpetrators in NH were married or related to the victim
15, 346 men, women, and children who experienced domestic violence and/or stalking were served in NH crisis centers (2018)
Domestic violence was a factor in 100% of the state’s murder/suicides in 2018 and 44% of the murder/suicides in 2019.
So it is a fact that there are people struggling with issues of DV in our largely affluent and educated community, and even in our own congregation.
Jayne Begala
Our Right Reverend Rob Hirschfeld, 10th Bishop of the Episcopal Church of NH has had the incredible vision to bring together partners to actualize a kind of “church without walls”…right here in Portsmouth at the site of the Christ Episcopal Church. And in its endeavor to be a church serving the community, the NH Episcopal Diocese is supporting a collaboration that includes Haven, Little Blessings Daycare, and Portsmouth Housing Authority, expanding programs and affordable housing for clients and staff on that site.
If you likewise feel called to do so, I invite you to be part of this response. Please come join me (and Rev. Aaron Jenkyn and others) at Haven’s annual “Changing Lives Gala” at Wentworth By The Sea Country Club on Thursday, Sept.26th (5:30 – 8:30pm). This event welcomes over 250 guests and is an opportunity to savor great food, enjoy live auctions, meet Haven’s staff, and learn more about Haven's mission and impact, as well as about this vision spearheaded by the NH Episcopal Diocese. It’s a high-energy fundraising event that helps to support the important work that Haven does every day supporting our less fortunate brothers and sisters throughout Rockingham and Strafford counties.
Ticket sales for this event are officially LIVE! You can find them on the website at: https://havennh.org/changing-lives
Please indicate that you will be sitting at “Jayne’s table” if/when you buy tickets, and please bring a guest if you like.
And thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering being a part of this calling and this effort to reach out and lift up those suffering and in need within our community.