Plymouth Park UMC, Irving: Responding to domestic violence workshop

Stephen Ministers, pastors, crisis counselors and others who are called upon to respond to domestic violence issues are invited to a Sept. 22 training event from 8:00 a.m. to noon at Plymouth Park UMC, Irving. The workshop is being offered free of charge to those who register.

When the family unit becomes a venue for violence and abuse will be a special focus of the morning’s programming.

Speakers for the workshop will include Joel Steven Tankersley, licensed clinical social worker, Children First Counseling Center, who specializes in programs dealing with anger management and juvenile and family violence services, and Caitlin Coyner, licensed master's social worker, Domestic Violence Program Coordinator at Brighter Tomorrows, an organization empowering survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Coyner specializes in individual and group therapy, outreach education, legal advocacy and protective orders. She received her bachelor of arts in psychology with a minor in criminal justicefrom the University of North Texas in May of 2003. While completing her master of science in social work at the University of Texas at Arlington, she interned at Genesis Women's Shelter as an outreach counselor. After completing her graduate degree and passing the Texas licensing exam for social work in December 2005, Coyner joined the staff of Brighter Tomorrows.

Tankersley graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1989 with a bachelor of social work degree and from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1993 with a master's in social work. He has worked at Women's Haven and Huguley Memorial Medical prior to becoming Director of Clinical Services at Children First Counseling in Grand Prairie.

Rev. Dana Norton, associate pastor at Plymouth Park UMC, will also be on the program, offering insights into how crisis counselors can find helpful resources in biblical passages. She holds a bachelor of science degree in special education from Texas A & M, Commerce; a master of science in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas; and a master of divinity from Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University. Prior to entering United Methodist ministry, she was clinical director at a not-for-profit agency and volunteered extensively with groups dealing with child abuse, domestic violence and at-risk children.

"Aiding an individual who is a victim of domestic violence is an important endeavor, but it can at the same time bring about questions and a need for reassurance that one is carrying out God's will," Rev. Norton explains.

Some of the passages she will reference include: "The Levite and the Concubine," Judges 19; "Jesus is on the side of the oppressed," Luke 4:18-19; "The Good Samaritan," Luke 10:25-37; and "Against Verbal Abuse," Proverbs 10:11.

To register for the workshop, or for more information, please visit Website: www.ppumc.org, or contact Rev. Dana Norton, 972-225-4185, e-mail: dana@ppumc.org.