‘Response From Our Faith to Gender Violence’ to be held Aug. 27

Online event designed to raise awareness in Hispanic/Latine faith communities

by Darla Carter | Presbyterian News Service

The Rev. Rosa Blanca Miranda

LOUISVILLE — The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will hold a webinar at noon (EDT) Saturday, Aug. 27, on gender violence and pastoral care.

The online event, “Response From Our Faith to Gender Violence,” will be hosted by the Office of Hispanic/Latino-a Intercultural Congregational Support in collaboration with the National Hispanic/Latino Caucus.

The event will be conducted in Spanish by the Rev. Dr. Agustina Luvis Núñez, Academic Dean and Professor at Seminario Evangélico de Puerto Rico, said the Rev. Rosa Miranda, Associate for Hispanic/Latino-a Intercultural Congregational Support in Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries.

The topic is one that Miranda’s office and the Caucus have raised awareness about in the past and want to keep bringing to the forefront.

“This is something that we need to talk more about and offer periodical learning events, especially in our faith communities,” Miranda said. “We also need to bring it up to the pastoral leaders and share resources to address it from the pulpit and Bible study.”

Although past discussions have focused on the response to domestic violence in Puerto Rico, this month’s webinar will be a more general discussion and is open to anyone.

“We always start from what the Scripture says about it,” and invite the participants to discuss how faith communities can take an “active role” in addressing the issue, from raising awareness to providing resources to becoming a safe space for women to come, Miranda said.

The discussion also will touch on ways that families might be inadvertently perpetuating gender violence, creating cycles of violence, and will raise awareness of the ways in which those things may be stopped, Miranda said.

Although some churches are actively involved in educating people about gender-based violence, not all of them are. “We would like to encounter them where they are through the lenses of what Scripture says and let there be the transformation that God brings so we may nurture healthier families and faith communities.”

The event will include time for questions and answers from viewers. To RSVP for the event, message rosa.miranda@pcusa.org.