Nov. 29 ‘Break the Silence Sunday’ Seeks to Raise Awareness, Offer Hope

On Nov. 29, congregations around the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida are invited to observe Break the Silence Sunday, an Episcopal Church initiative dedicated to raising awareness of gender-based violence, domestic abuse and sexual assault while offering hope to survivors.

Established by General Convention Resolution 2022-C064, Break the Silence Sunday coincides with the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, observed annually from Nov. 25-Dec. 10.

For the Very Rev. Audrey Sutton, rector of St. Barnabas, Deland; dean of the Northeast Deanery; co-chair of the diocesan Safe Church Commission; and Province IV co-link to the International Anglican Women’s Network, the observance reflects a fundamental responsibility of the Church to protect the vulnerable and bring hidden suffering into the light.

Citing Luke 8:17, which declares that nothing hidden will remain undisclosed, Sutton emphasized the importance of speaking openly about abuse.

“Speaking openly about the reality of abuse brings light to something horrible that is kept quiet, silent and private,” she said. “We are ‘breaking the silence’ on abuse in our churches, communities and families, with the hope of eradicating shame, naming the harm and bringing light to the freedom found in Christ.”

Open conversations, she explained, can also educate individuals who may not recognize that they have experienced abuse.

But awareness alone is not enough.

Sutton encouraged congregations to cultivate communities of warmth, trust and safety through intentional pastoral care, including trauma-informed pastoral approaches when appropriate.

“We are challenged in this generation to make space for people who are healing,” she said, noting that individuals may be carrying experiences they have never shared.

She suggested that churches consider offering support groups for survivors or developing partnerships with local nonprofits, counseling centers and other congregations to provide meaningful support.

This year’s observance also marks an important milestone in the Diocese of Central Florida’s ongoing safe church initiative. The deadline for completing the first four steps of diocesan safe church compliance was intentionally aligned with Break the Silence Sunday.

“I see our Safe Church initiatives as the first step in breaking the silence,” Sutton said. “We are acknowledging as a diocese that abuse happens, and that God’s children (all of us: tall to small) are worth protecting and caring for.”

The observance also falls on the first Sunday of Advent, a season she believes offers a particularly meaningful theological connection.

Advent points the Church toward the incarnation of Christ and the promise of his redemption and reconciliation. In a world where abuse and suffering remain realities, Sutton sees the season as an opportunity to proclaim Christian hope that sorrow and brokenness will not have the final word.

“Someday there will be no more tears or sorrow,” she said. “Someday we will be fully reconciled.”

To help the congregations participate, the diocese has encouraged clergy to share information about Break the Silence Sunday through parish communications and worship. A toolkit developed by the Diocese of New York’s Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault provides educational materials, liturgical resources, collects and sermon support.

Sutton points to the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10 as a model for the Church’s response to abuse. Unlike the hired hand who flees when the wolf approaches, the Good Shepherd remains with his sheep, protecting them even at the cost of his own life.

We have an invitation to mirror Jesus’ shepherding skills,” Sutton said. “It is easy to look away or pretend like ‘wolves’ don’t exist – but they do. I believe the Lord wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves, shining the light of redemption and love into the darkest places.”