Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church, a multicultural community of faith on Madison’s North Side, will host “Consent Sunday” on Sunday, April 26, in an effort to focus on theological and practical understandings of consent.
Following recent community activism efforts, this service looks to “equip the community with tools to honor bodily autonomy and foster healthy relationships rooted in love and respect,” according to a press release from Sherman Church announcing the event. The service will explore consent as a spiritual mandate — protecting safety, respecting neighbors, and fulfilling the Wesleyan rule to “Do No Harm”. This proactive dialogue addresses how faith communities can support survivor healing and prevent abuse.
“Consent is not just a legal term; it is a profound recognition of the sacredness of another person,” said Caitlin McGahan of Sherman Avenue UMC and past chair of Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA)’s board of directors, who will deliver the sermon on Consent Sunday. “On Consent Sunday, we are taking a stand to ensure our church, our neighborhood, and our city are spaces where everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered.”
Nestic Morris, a consent and sexual assault prevention expert, will also be leading an interactive discussion on consent. All community members are invited to participate in this discussion and worship beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church is located at 3705 N. Sherman Avenue on Madison’s North Side.
