Vanderbilt Divinity’s Carpenter Program to co-sponsor
Faith leaders seeking to learn more about issues surrounding and ending domestic violence are invited to an Aug. 6-7 institute co-sponsored by Vanderbilt Divinity School’s Carpenter Program in Religion, Gender and Sexuality.
“Faith Leaders Coming Together to Address and End Domestic Violence in Our Communities” is also co-sponsored by Family and Children’s Service, Alliance for Children and Families and Nashville Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
“Religion, gender and sexuality come together in particularly distressing ways in situations of domestic violence,” said Ellen Armour, the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Associate Professor of Feminist Theology and director of the Carpenter Program. “[rquote]Because abusers and their victims are an often unacknowledged presence in our congregations, it’s important that clergy be better equipped to deal with this issue.[/rquote] We’re pleased to be partnering with Family and Children’s Service and the other agencies to provide this workshop.”
Three Vanderbilt Divinity professors will speak during the two-day event, which takes place at the Goodwill Training Center, 937 Herman St., from 8 a.m. to approximately 4:45 p.m. each day.
Dale P. Andrews, Distinguished Professor of Homiletics, Social Justice and Practical Theology, will speak on “Pastoral Preaching and Prophetic Care in the Mayhem of Domestic Violence.” Amy-Jill Levine, University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, will address “The Bible and Domestic Abuse: Sacred Texts and Sinful Interpretations.” She is also the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies. “Bluest of Blues: Pastoral Care and Domestic Violence” is the title of a talk to be given by Evon Flesberg, assistant professor of the practice of pastoral theology and counseling.
Linda Nguyen, a national advocate for groups that strive to raise the voices of children and families for better communities, will also speak. She currently serves as director of civic engagement for the Alliance for Children and Families. Also on the schedule is a panel discussion with survivors of domestic violence.
There is no event registration fee but a $20 donation for future programs on domestic violence is requested.
Visit the Family and Children’s Service website or contact Emily Nourse at 320-0591 ext. 121 for more information.