Atwood Institute Launched!
Photos by Dartinia Hull, Presbyterian Outlook: 75 ecumenical faith activists gathered for advanced training in gun violence prevention for congregations at Ghost Ranch Aug 22-25. Participating were lay leaders, pastors, organizers, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Quakers, Presbyterians, Unitarians, Mennonites and Catholics. Small groups provided in-depth disussion on topics from BeSMART for Kids secure gun storage to using the Peace Fellowship Congregational Toolkit for Education that Leads to Action. Order the 2024 edition of the Toolkit HERE. Participants learned how to offer a memorial vigil and how to respond pastorally to gun violence in their communties. Catholic theologian and activist John Dear's keynote address focused on the nonviolent witness of Jesus as the foundation for gun violence prevention mission. Participants shared plans: "I'm going to help research the history of guns and the church to support Amicus briefs at the Supreme Court." "I'm going to devote my retirement to this issue." "We'll start with education and grow from there." "My goal is to help the Catholic Church become a leader on this issue." "My focus is on protecting children from gun violence." |
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