By Henry R. Moncur III | ACTU Communication
On August 30, 2025, Seventh-day Adventist churches across the Atlantic Caribbean Union (ATCU) will unite in a powerful stand against abuse through the annual enditnow initiative. This year’s focus, Honour Thy Father and Thy Mother, will shift from protest to presence to highlight the often-overlooked issue of elderly abuse, giving a clarion call to church and community to protect, respect, and care for the senior members of our families and communities.
What’s Happening Across the Union
The four fields of ATCU—the Cayman Islands Conference, the North Bahamas Conference, the South Bahamas Conference, and Turks and Caicos Islands Conference—are preparing unique but coordinated programs for the day.
In the Cayman Islands, each church will hold a special enditnow emphasis service in the morning. In the afternoon, members will gather for a march and then rally at the Bodden Town Primary School, featuring community engagement and testimonies. The day will conclude with a distribution of canned items to those in need, supported by the Department of Children and Family Services and the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre.
In the North Bahamas, members will participate in a march and rally in Sandy Point, Abaco. The rally will feature assistant chief magistrate, Ms. Ancella Evans, as the guest speaker, and care packages will be distributed to members of the community.
Churches in the South Bahamas will host morning services centered on the theme and participate in community-focused afternoon programs to engage local neighborhoods in awareness and prevention efforts against elderly abuse. Care packages will also be distributed to 11 elderly homes.
In the Turks and Caicos Islands, a march and rally will be held to highlight the issues of abuse prevalent in the communities.
A Call to Action
Arleen Sands, ATCU Women’s Ministries director, expressed the significance of this year’s theme. “enditnow is more than an annual program. It is a movement of compassion and courage. By focusing on elderly abuse this year, we are affirming that our seniors deserve safety, dignity, and love. We want every member to leave this day not just informed but inspired to act.”
Why This Matters
Elderly abuse is a hidden crisis in many societies, often taking the form of neglect, verbal mistreatment, or financial exploitation. Through enditnow 2025, ATCU aims to raise awareness, educate members, and inspire church and community action to protect the vulnerable.
As the union prepares for August 30, members and friends are encouraged to wear purple as a sign of solidarity and to commit to honoring the commandment that shapes the day’s theme. Together, ATCU can send a clear message: abuse in any form must end now!
The ATCU, headquartered in Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas, comprises 27,694 members across four fields: the Cayman Islands Conference, the North Bahamas Conference, the South Bahamas Conference, and the Turks and Caicos Islands Conference. Additionally, Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Jamaica, is co-owned and operated by both ATCU and the Jamaica Union.