Featured Image by Elvert Barnes. Article Shared from Bethesda United Methodist Church
The prophet Micah casts a hopeful vision of the future where nations will “beat their swords into iron plows, and their spears into pruning hooks.” (Micah 4:3) Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) The United Methodist Church urges “congregations to advocate at the local and national level for laws that prevent or
reduce gun violence.”
Bishop Ken Carter of the Florida Conference has called upon United Methodists to act in response to the tragedy in Parkland by offering letters to local, state and government officials urging them to prioritize the safety of our children.
You can read his full statement here: https://www.flumc.org/newsdetail/bishop-carter-invites-local-churches-to-honor-victims-through-acts-of-worship-11007687
There is an African Proverb that says, “When you pray, move your feet.” Join us in moving our feet as we pray. Consider the following ways to take action.
- Pray for all those affected by gun violence. Pray for our leaders, our country and our world. Pray for humility, courage and faith in discerning the ways toward peace.
- Call or write your members of Congress. Calling congress helps. Your voice matters. You do NOT need to be an expert in the specifics. Sample script: I live in Maryland and I’m calling to thank [name] and to encourage him to continue to fight for common sense gun laws. Children and teachers dying is NOT acceptable. I especially ask the senator/congressman to fight for universal background checks, ban assault weapons, and to fight to allow the CDC to do gun violence prevention research.
Chris Van Hollen Phone (202) 224-4654
Ben Cardin (202) 224-4524
www.house.gov/representatives - Call or hand write letters to Congressional Leaders.
Senate Majority Leader McConnell (202) 224 2541
House Speaker Ryan (202) 225-3031
- Reach out to friends and relatives in Florida and ask for their involvement. Florida Governor Rick Scott: “Everything’s on the table …I’m going to look at every way that we can make sure our kids are safe.” (https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/15/politics/rick-scott-gun-control-cnn-tv/index.html)
- Reach out to friends and relatives across the United States to ask for their support in advocacy for gun laws that will reduce or prevent gun violence. We have a gun violence epidemic in the United States, and our children are often the victims. America’s gun homicide rate is more than 25 times the average of other high-income countries (https://everytownresearch.org/gun-violence-by-the-numbers/).
- Attend a rally or vigil. At Bethesda UMC: On Monday 2/26 and on every last Monday of the month in front of BUMC on Old Georgetown Road during morning rush hour (7:30-9:00 AM) for a vigil. We are inviting other faith congregations to join us.
- Educate yourself and others on state and federal legislation, on safe storage of guns, and on the overlapping issues such as domestic violence, mental health, suicide prevention.
- Learn about United Methodist work on gun violence prevention.
https://www.umcjustice.org/documents/18
http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/ways-united-methodists-can-take-a-stand-against-gun-violence
http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/gun-violence
https://www.umcjustice.org/what-we-care-about/peace-with-justice/gun-violence-prevention
Learn other ways to get involved: www.30GunControlActionsyoucantakenow.com - Join a group working on gun violence prevention.
Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence www.faithsunited.org
Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence www.mdpgv.org
The Brady Campaign www.bradycampaign.org
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America www.momsdemandaction.org
GIFFORDS Courage to Fight Gun Violence www.giffords.org
Everytown for Gun Safety www.everytown.org - Write a letter to the Editor of a local paper. Send a message to the paper, asking for continued coverage. Send a message to an elected official asking for leadership on this issue. Send a letter of encouragement to the students in Florida who are committed to implementing change.
- Vote in the mid-term elections and encourage your friends and family members in other states to vote.