Victims of violence extend
personal ministry to others

St. Paul hosts biweekly support group
for anyone affected by violent crime

A group at St. Paul-Chattanooga is working to support victims of violent crime. Pictured from left are Carol McClure, Ellen Ralls, Nancy Alton and David Padilla.

Ellen Ralls reported to convention on this ministry of St. Paul-Chattanooga:

Let me start by thanking you for allowing me a few moments to tell you about the Violent Crime Victims Ministry at St. Paul’s-Chattanooga. Those of us involved feel it is such an important outreach. We hope to inspire you to think about victims and their healing process.

First, you should know that I am the victim of a random act of violence. About five years ago, I opened my own art shop. This had been a lifelong dream, and I was so proud and happy with this accomplishment. At 26 I felt I had life by the reins. Then, on April 23, 1999, everything changed. As I was preparing for the day, a man came in, pulled out a knife and took me to the cash register. After he had taken the money, he pushed me into a back room. I wasn’t sure what he would do next, but I knew it wouldn’t be good. It seems like slow motion, but I remember I was shaking like crazy. I kicked, screamed and fought like mad to get away. In the end, however, I was stabbed three times in the back. Six weeks to a physical recovery, a lifetime journey emotionally. After a stay in the hospital, I was left holding tiny pieces to a very mixed-up puzzle.

As you can imagine, sorting out my feelings was a very difficult task. At times I felt weak and hopeless. Anger, sadness, doubt, confusion and most of all fear overwhelmed me. I was afraid to be left at home alone. I thought I would never be the same again. Other times I was comforted by faith and knowing the God was working in my life. Actually, I was never alone. It’s true I would never be the same. My life would change for the better.

Like most medical recoveries, I was covered in a mountain of paperwork and bills. On the phone one day, a man working in the billing department of a doctor’s office asked me if I was the woman attacked in the art shop. I was surprised and a little scared as I answered yes. He said that he and his wife had been praying for me. They had been praying for me, a stranger. My eyes filled with tears. I think his did too, as I thanked him for his compassion.

I decided then to embrace this opportunity for change in my life. God’s grace had redeemed this horrible act by exchanging my go-through-the-motions life for one of faith, meaning and peace. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to see what really is important in this life. I knew there was so much to learn from all of this, so much to learn about myself and others. I became painfully aware that not everyone has the strong support system that I had.

About a year into my recovery I learned of Father Hunter Huckabay’s interest in supporting victims of violent crime. Along with a mother whose police officer son had been shot in the line of duty and mothers whose children have been murdered, we started this outreach. Our stories were very different, but our emotions and our journeys connected us. As a hopeful group, we began this ministry. We realized there are wonderful programs out there geared toward ministering to offenders, but the victims are often overlooked. Support is very necessary, and there are many ways to help.

St. Paul hosts a biweekly support group for anyone affected by violent crime. This is an opportunity to share stories, to offer and receive support and to search for peace. This victims ministry also helps plan and co-sponsor events during April’s National Violent Crime Victims Awareness Week. These are small ways we can honor and support those who have been devastated by violence.

We are discovering so much and touching many lives. You also can reach out in your community. The Victim Witness advocates in the Police Department and District Attorney’s offices are great resources. They most likely will have information about victims who need help.

What else is needed? Start with prayer. Speaking from experience, you may never know the impact of your words. Our church community is grounded in prayer. We are blessed by it daily. We pray for people we know, so why not offer prayer for those victims we see on the 6:00 news or whose stories we read in the newspaper? It will make a difference, and you can start this ministry from your own home.

The man who attacked me has never been caught for this crime. I still sometimes become afraid and anxious. However, I know I am never far from comfort and kindness. I can’t tell you how much this ministry has meant to my own recovery. I have been so blessed.

I can tell you that I believe one of the greatest strengths in the Episcopal Church lies in our compassion. We express it in many ways. I encourage you to reach out to those victims in need in your community. And if there is any way that our ministry can help you get started in yours, please contact us at St. Paul.