Lifetree Cafe at Derwood Alliance

NEWS RELEASE

  For Immediate Release

Victims of Church Abuse Heard at Lifetree Café

A recent Barna Group study found that while 83 percent of adults consider themselves Christian, 28 percent (approximately 65 million) no longer attend church. Nearly four out of 10 state that they’ve decided to quit because of a negative experience they’ve had at church.

Those who have experienced church-inflicted hurt will be heard at Lifetree Café on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 7:30 pm.

Lifetree representative Craig Cable said people feel hurt for a variety of reasons. “Some complain about how they were treated by clergy or church members,” Cable said. “Some report sexual, emotional, or physical abuse. Some were offended by what they heard in a sermon. Some feel victimized by church policies. Others feel unappreciated for their volunteer work. People feel hurt for all kinds of reasons.”

Cable said this Lifetree event, “Hurt by Church,” will offer a forum for past hurts to be discussed. He said the event is designed for the hurting, as well as for current church leaders and members. “There’s a therapeutic effect when people are given the chance to tell their stories and to listen to the stories of others,” Cable said.

Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available. Lifetree Café is located 16501 Redland Road, Derwood, Maryland at the corner of Grande Vista Drive and Redland Road.  It is about one mile from the Shady Grove METRO Station via RIDE ON Bus Routes 53 and 57.  Free Parking in the upper lot close to the entrance to the Café.

Lifetree Café is a place where people gather for conversations about life and faith in a casual coffeehouse-type setting. Questions about Lifetree may be directed to Trudy Schwarz at lifetreeDAC@gmail.com. Find Lifetree Café at Derwood Alliance on Facebook.com.March 5, 2012

Contact: Trudy Schwarz

16501 Redland Road

(301) 963-9200

lifetreeDAC@gmailcom