On Sabbath, May 16, the health series “Thinking Well, Living Well”—created by the General Conference and organized by the Women’s Ministries of the Adventist Church in Bovisio Masciago in northern Italy, in collaboration with the Youth Ministries of the church—came to a close. It was a journey in which we explored the many facets of living well, as well as a sensitive and often unspoken reality: gender-based violence.
The guest speaker at the meeting was Dr. Marisabel Iacopino, who addressed the topic with sensitivity and expertise. She presented the various forms of violence, helping us to learn to recognize the often-hidden signs and highlighting the fundamental role the community can play in welcoming, supporting, and protecting those experiencing suffering.
The final activity proposed by Dr. Iacopino was particularly meaningful, as it directly involved those present, transforming listeners into active participants. Through concrete examples of relational dynamics, we were invited to reflect together and understand when a certain behavior within a romantic relationship can become a warning sign and must be recognized as violent. As a church, we are called not to look away from the suffering of our neighbors, but to be a community capable of listening, discerning, and acting with love and responsibility.
This gathering leaves us with an important responsibility: to be a church capable of listening, welcoming, protecting, and supporting. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2NIV).