Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary will host a workshop to address gun violence in the church on Sunday, April 7. The two-part series, titled “Church Safety and Pastoral Care in Violent Times,” will explore active shooter scenarios, church safety best practices, security training policies and strategies on how best to minister to a congregation following an act of violence. Held in partnership with the Mid-Kentucky Presbytery’s Disaster, Education, Preparedness and Response Team (DePART), this workshop is the first of its kind in the region.

The workshop will be led by Ron Aguiar, director of safety and security at Southeast Christian Church, and Rev. Dr. Laurie Ann Kraus, coordinator for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Admission is free and open to the public. Ministers, church staff, deacons, elders, faith community nurses, child care directors, ushers, counselors, youth workers, seminary students and church volunteers are among those who might benefit most. Participants will take home resources on preventing gun violence and pastoral care.

Schedule
The entire workshop will take place on the first floor of Schlegel Hall at Louisville Seminary. Part one, “Church Safety in Violent Times,” will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. After a short break for dinner, part two, “Pastoral Care Response in the Wake of Violence,” will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Participants are free to attend one or both sessions. Registration is required. To register, contact Pat Welsh at 502-629-2702 or by email: pat.welsh@nortonhealthcare.org.