02/10/2021

Domestic Violence: What 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in your congregation will experience

Clergy Response to Domestic Violence: Case Studies for Pastoral Care

The 2021 Bishop's Convocation picks up where we left off in 2020 with the topic of Domestic Violence. This topic is too important to just move on since we had to cancel last year's event. The Bishop's Convocation is Monday, March 15. The event begins at 10 am, breaks at noon for lunch, and reconvenes at 1pm. We will wrap up at 2:15 pm with an Affirmation of Ordination Vows.

Current statistics show 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. This means every active clergy member will need to be ready to counsel and care for church members who are either victims or abusers. Sue Villilo, assistant vice president of Community-Based Services for Lutheran Social Services, and Lillian Howard, director of Clinical Services at LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence, will present information regarding this very pervasive and destructive community issue as well as case studies and resources that will help clergy members address the issue within their congregations.

Bishop Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt, Bishop of the Southern Ohio Synod, hopes you will join her and our presenters from Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio for this important event. The 2021 Bishop's Convocation is free, but requires pre-registration as it is a virtual event. Zoom links will be sent to registrants on March 12.

This event is open to Southern Ohio Synod rostered ministers, our Full-Communion Partners, and seminarians. Questions about the convocation may be directed to Josh Brodbeck at jbrodbeck@southernohiosynod.org.

Information about our presenters:

Sue Villilo has a Master of Social Work from The Ohio State University and is a currently licensed LISW with supervisory status. In addition to teaching at OSU and serving on various community boards and committees, Sue has a well-known background in Columbus having worked for and/or consulted with agencies such as Amethyst, Columbus Public Health, Concord Counseling, Columbus Coalition for the Homeless, Faith Mission, Columbus Colony Elderly Care, and Catholic Social Services. 

Lillian Howard has been in the field of mental health and addiction services for over 30 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Paralegalism from Auburn University at Montgomery and a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling and Human Development from Troy University. She holds a Master in Science in Social Work from The Ohio State University. She is an LISW-S, LICDC-CS.

This is a FREE event, but you must register. 

Register online at http://bit.ly/2021SOSBishopsConvocation

Please contact Josh Brodbeck at jbrodbeck@southernohiosynod.org if you’re unable to register online.

Deadline for registration is March 12th.

Please see flyer below for the day's schedule and to share with your colleagues.

2021 Bishops Convocation Flyer

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