Gun Violence Prevention News for Congregations October

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Gun Violence Prevention News for Congregations October 2026 Welcome, New Readers We pray for South Africa, which experienced 46 deaths and dozens wounded in 4 mass shootings last week. Lord, have mercy. Lord, bring change. Photos below from the Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage in September. Michelle, LaRon and Maureen from the group "Uncornered" in Kansas City shared what's working there to prevent gun violence among youth; late night forging party to file down slices of gun barrels to make courage medals; participants in the 3rd annual Atwood Institute represented 20 states and DC. Thank you to all who came and all who lent leadership, sponsorship and support. Photos: Martha Smith, PPF Great Links for Next Steps: Find a news story on the Atwood Institute HERE Watch the Atwood Keynote Evening with Rev. Dr. Jer Swigart HERE. NEW!!! Watch a new Webinar for Clergy & Church Leaders on How to Use Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) to protect congregants and their loved ones from gun violence HERE. Download the new Clergy ERPO Guide HERE. This Guide to ERPOs is offered by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center for Gun Violence Solutions and interfaith groups, such as Faith Leaders for Ending Gun Violence and the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness Decade to End Gun Violence. Need a grant for your gun violence prevention project? Apply for Presbyterian grants now HERE. Last chance this week!  Register HERE for Fall Guns to Gardens Action Circles Thursdays Oct 8 - Nov. 12 One hour on Zoom, Noon ET or 7:30pm ET options Click Here to learn about Guns to Gardens Action Circles What Do Action Circles Cover? Session 1 No One Does Guns to Gardens Alone: Outreach, Language and Allies Session 2 Intersection of Guns and Race: Making Guns to Gardens Antiracist Session 3 All about Chop Saws! How to host a safe surrender in a church parking lot Session 4 Reaching Gun Owners: Gift cards, fundraising and publicity Session 5 Gun Safety/Ask the Experts Anything: RAWTools blacksmiths/gun handlers Session 6: Centering Our Faith and Pastoral Care in the work of Guns to Gardens Sign up Today to Explore Guns to Gardens for your Community! Local Spotlight: South Carolina! McGregor Presbyterian Church & RAWTools South On Sept. 26, 74 firearms were dismantled in the parking lot of McGregor Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC. Organizer Glenda Swearingen reports that 60 of the guns were surrendered by the Richland County Sheriff's Dept. from a stockpile of confiscated and evidence guns. This was a real breakthrough, so that these guns were dismantled, transformed and not returned to the gun market --and to develop a partnership with law enforcement for Guns to Gardens. Congratulations to all! Watch News Story HERE. (there is an ad at first) Photo: JA Harris, The State Click HERE to support the Gun Violence Prevention Ministry of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship. Gifts are tax-deductible. Thank you. presbypeacefellowship.org/gun-violence-prevention  Rev. Margery Rossi, Minister for Gun Violence Prevention margery@presbypeacefellowship.org Rev. Jan Orr-Harter, Editor & Moderator, Gun Violence Prevention Working Group gvp@presbypeacefellowship.org Presbyterian Peace Fellowship 845-786-6743 | presbypeacefellowship.org Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

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WCC NEWS: Season of Creation closes—but actions will continue

As the Season of Creation officially closed on 4 October, people gathered online from across the world for a prayer service that not only recapped many green initiatives but also encouraged ongoing action to care for creation. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 05 October 2026 Speakers reflected on this year’s theme, "Living Water" (Ezekiel 47:9, 12): "Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live . . . Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing" (NRSV). Analisa Ramsahai, environmental scientist and Catholic climate activist from Trinidad and Tobago, who serves as a board director and secretary for the global Laudato Si' Movement, focused on water as connection—our connection with each other, with the earth, and with God. “Rain returns water to the earth, nourishing plants, animals and people,” she said. “But before we explore these connections, I invite you to experience water for a moment.”  She then invited those gathered to imagine—and deeply appreciate—all the ways in which water touches their lives.  Elizabeth Trice, a UK-based wildlife and conservation professional and an active environmental organizer within the Church of England, and founder of “The Seedlings Network,” expressed her appreciation for the gathering. “It’s key to look back at our beginnings,” she said, referring to water being connected with the origins of all life.  “It’s also important to remember that the voices of tomorrow are also the voices of today,” she added, noting that young people are not just carrying the future of the earth but also the present. Fr Movses (Garen) Yosolkanian, Armenian Apostolic, with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), noted that water is a gift from God, a source of life, healing, and restoration. “Yet we find ourselves in a thirsty moment in the struggle for global ecological justice,” he said. “Across the world, our water sources are threatened. What should be a source of life is increasingly becoming a source of struggle, injustice, and division.” María José Tejedor González, with the ACT Alliance, thanked the speakers, those who began and continued earth-friendly initiatives, and all those who prayed. “You all inspire us with your wisdom, hope, and witness throughout this season,” she said. “You remind us that caring for creation is a shared calling. Although today marks the end of this year’s celebration, the journey continues.” Season of Creation is the ecumenical world's month of prayer and action for creation. Beginning with “Feast of Creation in Christ” on 1 September, is a time of witness to God’s love and our human responsibility. The season forms one chapter in the World Council of Church's Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (2025–2034), launched in Johannesburg in 2025. Full video: October 4: Season of Creation Closing Event 2026 See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: “Affirmation of Just Peace” published by international peace convocation in Korea

An International Ecumenical Peace Convocation held, 9-13 September in South Korea, has released an “Affirmation of Just Peace.” File Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 05 October 2026 The convocation was convened by the National Council of Churches in Korea, Christian Conference of Asia, and World Council of Churches.  “During our conference we listened to voices from Palestine where the violence of war and injustice continues unabated and from Ukraine where there is no end in sight to the war,” reads the document. “We heard voices from the Philippines where human rights violations continue, and concerning the oppression of ethnic minorities in Sri Lanka.” The text names other forms of armed conflict and structural and state violence that persist across the world. “Political tensions are escalating and militarism is intensifying among countries aligned with opposing blocs, while the battlefield deployment of AI-enabled weapons systems and even the growing threat of nuclear war give cause for profound concern,” reads the text. “In many countries, hatred and discrimination driven by ideological extremism – including Christian nationalism – have become pervasive, inflicting suffering on diverse social minorities and marginalized communities.” The text also names the current context of the Korean Peninsula. “The two Koreas must find a path to peaceful coexistence grounded in mutual respect,” reads the text. “We call for the restoration of communication, the prevention of military incidents, and dialogue among the parties concerned to end the state of war and build a durable peace regime.” The document expresses the commitment to promote the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. “We stand in solidarity with peoples and communities affected by war, occupation, political violence, and human rights violations, including in Palestine, Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan, Iran, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Colombia,” reads the text. The text expresses the commitment to strengthen church-based action for climate justice and the restoration of creation. “We understand peace not only as the absence of war but as a process of healing, reconciliation, and transformation,” reads the text. “We affirm that peace must be experienced in the everyday lives of people living on the Korean Peninsula.” The document also affirms the calling of the churches to become communities of healing and reconciliation in a divided society. “We commit ourselves to move from declaration to sustained action,” reads the text.  Full text: Affirmation of Just Peace – by international peace convocation in Korea Photo: NCCK See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: Season of Creation closing event will prayerfully consider “Living Water”

A Season of Creation closing event on 4 October will prayerfully consider this year’s theme, "Living Water" (Ezekiel 47:9, 12): "Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live . . . Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing" (NRSV). Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 01 October 2026 Speakers will include Elizabeth Trice, a UK-based wildlife and conservation professional and an active environmental organizer within the Church of England; and Analisa Ramsahai, environmental scientist and Catholic climate activist from Trinidad and Tobago, who serves as a board director and secretary for the global Laudato Si' Movement.  Season of Creation is the ecumenical world's month of prayer and action for creation. Beginning with “Feast of Creation in Christ” on 1 September, is a time of witness to God’s love and our human responsibility. The season forms one chapter in the World Council of Church's Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (2025–2034), launched in Johannesburg in 2025.   Learn more about the event: October 4: Season of Creation Closing Event See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland