VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 3/4/21)—As a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC), American Baptist Home Mission Societies lifts up the WCC’s “Thursdays in Black” campaign, which seeks to help end gender-based violence.

Individuals are asked to simply wear black on Thursdays to show that they are part of the global movement that resists attitudes and practices that permit rape and violence. Thursdays in Black photos can be shared on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, using hashtags #ThursdaysinBlack and #WCC.

While black often has negative connotations, it is used in this campaign to symbolize resistance and resilience.

“We all have a responsibility to speak out against violence,” says the WCC’s website, “to ensure that women and men, boys and girls, are safe from rape and violence in homes, schools, work, streets—in all places in our societies.”

In addition to wearing black on Thursdays, individuals are encouraged to tell others about the campaign and to take the Thursdays in Black Pledge, as highlighted on the WCC’s website:

“I commit to Thursdays in Black.

In solidarity, In protest, In mourning, For awareness and In hope

By supporting Thursdays in Black I stand:

– in solidarity with 1 in 3 women worldwide who face violence in their lives

– in protest against systems and societies that encourage violence in any form

– in mourning for men, women and children who are harmed and killed in sexual violence

– for awareness and knowledge about the challenges of sexual and gender-based violence.

– in the hope that a different reality is possible” with prayer.

Individuals and groups can become involved by contributing a panel to a large tapestry exhibit being developed by the WCC for its Assembly in 2021. Instructions can be found on WCC’s website.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.