Let's Talk Teas - Doors of Opportunity Opened by Hospitality

Barbara Dodd, the Abortion Recovery Director for the Care Net Pregnancy Center of Central New York contacted me recently about a method of reaching the post-abortive within the Church by way of hosting an afternoon tea for pastors' wives from her area. Below is Barbara's story about this very effective method of opening the dialogue about abortion with the intent of helping the wounded find healing in Christ.

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This is the invitation that was sent out to several area churches this summer as we began a series of "Let's Talk" teas. We invited local area pastors' wives, decorated a room at the center for tea and spent an hour beginning a dialogue with them about the effect of abortion on the people in their churches.

But if I had received the invitation to this six or seven years ago, I would not have replied, let alone attend the meeting.

I am a pastor's wife. I have had an abortion. For 25 years before my husband was ordained I sat in our church with this secret. After he became a pastor the pressure of the secret became even stronger. I thought that if people knew about my abortion, my husband's ministry would be compromised. Yet when I dared to share the secret with one young person who also had an abortion experience--then my healing began. She had been through a Forgiven and Set Free Bible study and encouraged me to go. I was careful to avoid recognition as I contacted our local pregnancy center and eventually found a group to attend. The Lord began a wonderful miracle of healing and release as I completed the study. I saw that I had been forgiven on the cross. I understood that many of the behaviors that had gripped my life were actually my attempt to atone for my abortion. I realized that as a pastor's wife I could share my story to open the way of forgiveness for others.

Over time I began to work in abortion recovery at the pregnancy center. It became obvious that there were many other women who, like me, were in the church and hiding a secret. While researching the internet, I found In Our Midst. It planted the seed of what is now the "Let's Talk Teas."

The response has been very encouraging. We have met with women from 11 churches so far and have had some very moving conversations. "I know there are women in my church who have had abortions, I know it is hurting them, but I just don't know where to start," was a statement that was met with agreement by most of those in attendance. We shared about creating an atmosphere of grace and forgiveness when talking about abortion. There is a vague notion that addressing the issue of abortion recovery openly will somehow condone abortion. However, in discussing the reality that abortion hurts women and their families (and by extension-the church family), a door opens and dialogue begins. As we close out our time together they are pleased to receive the packets filled with more information about our abortion recovery ministry.

Our desire in abortion recovery ministry for the churches (and the world) is summarized in the following quote:
"As the hurting are healed, they are empowered and impassioned to take their message of pain and healing to the world around them, perpetuating the truth of the harmfulness of abortion and the incomparable healing found in and through Jesus Christ" (Abortion in the Church, In Our Midst Ministries 2005).

Thank you Mary and I pray that God's voice will be heard through this ministry.

Barbara Dodd
Abortion Recovery Director
Care Net Pregnancy Center of Central New York

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If you have found a successful method of reaching the Church on behalf of the post-abortive let us know. We will be happy to publish your story so that others may go and do likewise!