Presbyterian Peace Fellowship - June 11 First National Guns to Gardens Day

Gun Violence Prevention News for Congregations April 2022 In an Easter season of gun violence from coast to coast, we follow the risen Christ who transforms death into life. How can your church help save lives from gun violence? Read on.... Photo, On March 19 the Denver Broncos' Stadium Hosted Guns to Gardens, Bronco Stadium (Empower Field at Mile High, CO) See Story below. June 11 National Guns to Gardens Day Graduates of the Peace Fellowship's Action Circle trainings are getting ready for their "Safe Surrender" events in June for unwanted guns. So far, we are working with confirmed congregational events in Baltimore, Stockton, CA, Louisville, Albuquerque, Madison, WI, one in Utah and three in Ohio! And others are in planning stages, finding allies and working toward future events. The seeds are growing! If you are considering a June event, please let us know at gvp@presbypeacefellowship.org Our Spring Action Circle "graduated" 15 folks from all across the USA. We are so proud of them! Learn more and sign up for the next Guns to Gardens Action Circle training to start in August HERE. LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Denver Broncos' Stadium Elevates Guns to Gardens Right, Chop Saws Lined Up for Unwanted Guns at Empower Field, Mile High Stadium Photo, RAWtools Note: Because Guns to Gardens Safe Surrender events are always anonymous, we rarely have photos of people. As you read this story, imagine the huge numbers of volunteers and gun donors who came together in this beautiful spot to turn guns into garden tools. Photo: RAWtools The new movement to turn unwanted guns into garden tools has gone to new heights! On March 19, in support of our friends at RAWtools, the Denver Broncos' Empower Field hosted a gun safe surrender event at the "Mile High" stadium parking lot. It was the largest event ever held by RAWtools to rid homes and communities of unwanted guns, with a total of 189 weapons donated to be turned into garden tools, including many semi-automatic and assault weapons. Additionally, the Broncos team voted to provide publicity and a substantial contribution to help promote this grassroots movement to save lives. "It was so inspiring." PPF's Deanna Hollas reported from Denver: When they opened the doors to the parking lot at 9 am, there was a solid line of cars in two rows, ready to turn in unwanted guns. It was so inspiring to see such a large number of volunteers for such a big event. I volunteered as one of the "shepherds," staying alongside the vehicles and talking with gun donors. Most people said that they learned about the event from the media. There was lots of publicity. Everyone knew they had a choice: to sell the gun back into the market or to bring it here. Some people brought guns they found in houses they had moved into. One man was very quiet. Towards the end, he shared that his son had committed suicide with a gun. In the morning, the donors drove through the event while their guns were dismantled by the chop saw operators. Then, in afternoon, after all the leftover parts had been donated, the blacksmiths forged parts into tools. A city council member came to help. I kept waiting for someone to be angry at the destruction of so many valuable guns, but people just kept saying "thank you." There was so much gratitude expressed for the opportunity to turn in unwanted guns, and gratitude to the Denver Broncos and to RAW tools. It was a blessing to be there. Learn more at RAWtools.org New Resources What's Faith Got To Do With It? Christians Responding to Gun Violence From Grace Presbyterian Church in Springfield, VA, --View powerful presentations in this March 2022 event honoring the late Jim Atwood. Speakers include Shane Claiborne and Deanna Hollas. Find videos and learn more HERE The Interrupters PBS documentary highlights one of proven approaches to reducing urban gun violence. Meet three "Violence Interrupters" as they work to intervene in disputes, sharing their own journeys from crime to hope to redemption. Learn more HERE. Events General Assembly Testimony Dates: May 8 - Last Day to Apply to testify by video to the PCUSA General Assembly Committees, including the Committee on Addressing Violence in the USA, which will consider the Overture on Supporting Guns to Gardens and the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) new Gun Violence Prevention Report. PPF supports both of these items. You can sign up HERE to make a short video testimony or you can contact janOH4@aol.com for more information. Wear Orange Gun Violence Awareness Sabbath June 3-5 T-shirts, tennis shoe laces, clergy and choir stoles, banners and more--- turn them orange! Wear Orange with thousands of other citizens to remember gun violence victims and to raise awareness for change. Learn more at Wear Orange Why Orange? Orange is the color that Hadiya Pendleton’s friends wore in her honor when she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15 — just one week after performing at President Obama’s 2nd inaugural parade in 2013. After her death, they asked us to stand up, speak out, and Wear Orange to raise awareness about gun violence. Photo Above: WearOrange.org Looking for a Date for your Guns 2 Gardens Event? Consider... June 11 First Nation-wide Guns to Gardens Day & National Safety Month Aug. 8 Remembrance of El Paso Walmart Shooting 8/3/19 Aug. 30 National Grief Awareness Day Sept. National Suicide Prevention Month, Suicide Prevention Week and Day Sept. PCUSA Season of Peace & International Peace Day 9/21 Oct. 1 Las Vegas Concert Shooting Remembrance 10/1/17 Oct. Domestic Violence Awareness Month & Crime Prevention Month Oct. 2 International Day of Nonviolence Oct. 27 Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting Remembrance 10/27/18 Nov. 1 All Saint’s Day Nov. 5 Sutherland, TX Church Shooting 11/5/17 Dec. 14 Tenth Remembrance, Sandy Hook School Shooting 12/14/12 A Note from the Editor..... What are the plans in your church for the congregational share of the Season of Peace Offering? PPF's Gun Violence Prevention Ministry is growing and we welcome your financial support. Please reach out to me if you know of funding sources in your church or community. Creative ideas are welcome, such as family foundations, church gifts, memorial gifts, local fundraising ideas or a part of your share of the peacemaking offering. Gifts are tax-deductible. Give anytime HERE. Many thanks, Rev. Jan Orr-Harter, GVP E-News Editor GVP@ppf.org Gun Violence Prevention Ministry Presbyterian Peace Fellowship gvp@presbypeacefellowship.org Rev. Deanna Hollas, Coordinator deanna@presbypeacefellowship.org 214-702-2265 | presbypeacefellowship.org Instagram | Facebook | Twitter