Gun Violence Advocacy
We believe it is possible to address the scourge of gun violence as a people of faith, not fear. We believe our faith compels us to act, standing with the traumatized, aligning ourselves with the hope of transformation and new life.
Faith & Gun Violence Study Action Guide
The result of two years of faithful listening, cross-generational connection, and continuous commitment to the belief that that the Spirit calls us to action in multiple ways, this study action guide can be a key to your advocacy against gun violence. It includes individual testimony to the impact of gun violence, guides to addressing gun violence through worship, single- or multi-session discussions, a list of action steps to consider, church security and safer church resources, and theological reflections.
WCC Resources
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If We Just Talk of Thoughts and Prayers, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
God Not Guns Worship Guide (Brady Center)
Worship/Vigil/Action Resources for Times of Gun Violence from the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship
Lectionary on Gun Violence (North Carolina Council of Churches)
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American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ Board Adopts Gun Violence Statement(American Baptist)
A 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence (ELCA)
From Controlling Guns to Making Peace: An Assessment of ELCA Social Policy and Public Witness (ELCA)
Episcopal Bishops against gun violence: statistics with backup articles, liturgical resources, etc
Learn, Pray, Join: End Gun Violence.(Mennonite)
Gun Violence, Gospel Values Study Guide (Presbyterian Church USA)
Gun Violence Policies, Studies and Resources (Presbyterian Church USA)
Backgrounder on Gun Violence: A Mercy and Peacebuilding Approach to Gun Violence (Roman Catholic)
Let’s End Gun Violence (United Church of Christ)
Peace with Justice: Gun Violence Prevention (United Methodist Church)
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FEMA Resources to Protect Your House of Worship
News Interview with Boston-area pastors following Texas shooting on their responses, training for ushers, ‘Welcoming & Watchful’ stance, commitment to welcoming the stranger. (interview with pastors begins about 2 minutes in and ends about 16 minutes in)
National Disaster Interfaith Network -
Garry Wills, “Our Moloch” on The New York Review of Books December 15, 2012
Dr. Paul Silas Peterson, “Why Gun Violence calls for Religion in Politics” Sojourners, 10/07/2015
Daniel Schultz, “Why the Church Can’t Stop Gun Violence” Religion Dispatches, December 3, 2015
Kate Shellnut, “A Top Reason for Church Shootings: Domestic Abuse” Christianity Today, November 7, 2017
Hunting and Gun Violence: Lily Raff Maccallou, “Confessions of A Sensible Gun Owner” New York Times, October 7, 2017
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Blueprint for Peace (City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention) community-driven agenda for addressing the complex factors that drive violence in Milwaukee
Wisconsin Resources and Legislative Advocacy from Giffords Law Center
WAVE - Wisconsin Anti- Violence Effort
80% Coalition - advocacy, business, education, faith-based, professional and service organizations committed to pushing back against hate and urging our legislators at the state and federal levels to pass commonsense gun violence prevention legislation.
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Gun Violence Archive: a not-for-profit corporation formed to provide free online public access to accurate information about gun-related violence in the United States.
Faith and Leadership (Duke Divinity School) has collected a number of essays and other resources
Wear Orange Weekend: First weekend in June – Show support for a future free from gun violence
Sample Pastoral Letter to Congregation Providing Action Steps – From Rev. Jenny Arneson, Sun Prairie UMC