INTERIM COMMITTEE ON DOMESTIC ABUSE

SUMMARY OF WORK

1. The ad-interim committee set a goal to build trust and general understanding of one another before starting this important task.

2. To enhance our understanding of the current letter through induvial review and edits.

3.  To enhance team building by meeting as a large group three-times at 90 minutes per meeting.

4. To enhance team building by meeting in person at OGA Feb 29- March 2.

5. To increase or gain a foundational understanding of trauma, domestic abuse, and general best practice by participating in an in-person training lead by Respond, Inc.

6.  To identify three main components of the letter and divide into three sub-committees to further explore these components.

7. We spent 90 minutes hearing from one another and their specific perspective on the topic of domestic abuse, as it relates to them personally and professionally.

8.  Each sub-committee will report to the larger group their findings and how they apply to larger task (postponed to July).

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RECOMMENDATIONS

The Interim Committee on Comestic Abuse has no recommendations for the 44th General Assembly.

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WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

The 43rd General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church voted to create a moderator-appointed, Ad-Interim Committee on Domestic Abuse. The committee was to review and revise the current Pastoral Letter on Domestic Abuse.

The Ad-Interim Committee on Domestic Abuse met in person at the OGA from February 29 to March 2nd. The Chair TE Bonnie Gatchell started the meeting with prayer and a meal. In addition to this in-person meeting, the committee met three times via Zoom between October 2023 and June 2024. Sub-committee teams have been appointed and meet bi-monthly to craft, discuss, and contribute to parts of the letter. The ad-interim committee will resume meeting as a large team following the 44th General Assembly.

Executive Summary: The Ad Interim Committee has assembled and is working vigorously to revise the Pastoral Letter on Domestic Abuse with hopes of providing EPC pastors and sessions with the tools and resources they need to best respond to those in their congregation who have experienced trauma and abuse within a domestic relationship. Ultimately, supporting EPC TEs and REs and they interface and support victims of domestic abuse, leading to healthier churches.

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RECOMMENDATIONS (DETAILED)

The Interim Committee on Domestic Abuse has no recommendations for the 44th General Assembly.

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COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Howard Quach
TE, Presbytery of the Central Carolinas

Susan Werner
Presbytery of the Mid-America

Nam Hee Kim
PCA

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MEETING DATES

December 18, 2023: Video Conference
January 5, 2024: Video Conference
February 9, 2024: Video Conference
February 29- March 2, 2024: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)
March 14, 2024: Video Conference

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