We've spent the past week bringing you stories of religion and violence from around the country – what happens when violence crosses thresholds in churches, synagogues and mosques? Here's a quick wrap-up, where you can find all the stories in one place.
Part 1: Just how common is violence in people's holy places? What are people doing to prevent and respond to attacks? This first story gives a general overview; the second is a guide of best practices – what should you do when faced with an active shooter?
- READ: The business of church safety. By Ann Marie Somma, HartfordFAVS.com (Bonus: A cool map of violent incidents around the country.)
- READ: Go down swingin': Q-and-A with sergeant Michael Hestir (scorll to bottom of page) By Kellie Kotraba, ColumbiaFAVS.com.
Part 2: What's the pulse of a faith community who's gone through violence? This story takes us to Ohio, where people are living in the aftermath of an arson attack on a mosque.
- READ: Houses of worship follow federal advice, develop violence-response plans. By David Yonke, ToledoFAVS.com.
Part 3: How do you move on when your worship space has been destroyed, but you don't know who or what is behind it? Moving on is exactly what the people of Joplin are doing following a mysterious fire last year.
- READ: Moving on: Joplin Muslim community moves forward after mosque burns to ground. By Kellie Kotraba, ColumbiaFAVS.com.
Part 4: How do you balance service and safety – welcoming people in, but locking doors tight? That's what churches in Spokane are exploring.
- READ: Staying safe while ministering to the mentally ill, poor. By Tracy Simmons, favs.news.
Part 5: Whether it’s gunshots, fires or fists, when violence touches a congregation it’s felt in ripples, often for years to come – and that's the case in one North Carolina church community.
- READ: After bombings, shootings, a book and now a movie: Sellerstown church community healing. By Amanda Greene, WilmingtonFAVS.com.
