Horizons magazine is published by Presbyterian Women (PW) the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Issue link: http://horizons.epubxp.com/i/481579
14 marriage certificates. The partici- pants realized that the maltreatment of widows was largely due to soci- ety's ignorance of the law. They all agreed to register their marriages at the city hall. In her follow-up visits in each of the 12 parishes of her presbytery, Agnes has witnessed significant changes in attitudes and practices. While many couples have registered their marriages, Agnes knows of two cases where the awareness-building alone spared newly bereaved widows maltreatment by in-laws. Both of the women had attended the workshop but not gotten the opportunity to register their marriage before their husbands' deaths. In one case, the neighborhood stood by the widow and warded off the in-laws, who have since decided to leave her in peace. In the other situation, the in-laws changed their perspectives in respect for their late brother's position and allowed the widow to stay at her home and keep her children. Change in the CPC and Beyond Further evidence of the impact of Agnes' efforts is seen in the requests she receives from other religious groups, who have seen positive changes in their Presbyterian neigh- bors. At their invitation, Agnes has spoken at the assembly meetings of two different denominations. She is now deemed a community leader, particularly by the chiefs who are eagerly working with her to make marriage registration certificates available. After Agnes shared with me her personal story and reflections on the trainings' impact, we pondered the campaign's approach. Change at the community level seems to be partic- ularly happening when men are involved. Agnes believes that pres- bytery gatherings might be good opportunities for awareness-build- ing in that regard. Further, the Department of Women and Fami- lies is in conversation with pastors to allow for group church weddings to reduce the costs for intending couples, thus lowering the barrier for those seeking a civil wedding. We also spoke about the need to engage the CPC youth leadership in this campaign, not only as the next generation to tie the knot, but also as future leaders in church and society. Thankful for the support from Presbyterian Women in the United States for this pilot phase of the ini- tiative, Christine pointed out that much remains to be done for the campaign to eventually reach the communities in all of CPC's 12 syn- ods. But with the commitment of Christine, Agnes and other faithful women, life in fullness, as Christ envi- sioned (John 10:10), is possible. Christi Boyd is a mission coworker, serving in Congo as facilitator for women's and children's interests. Following the 2012 seminar on marriage registration, Demba's p arish pastor, Katende Ilunga, and his wife, Mbuyi Ntumba, registered their 1965 traditional and religious marriage. Christi Boyd