Serve, Work and Transform: Remembering Sandy Hook 10 Years Later

Gun Violence Prevention

News for Congregations

Nov. 2022

"They shall beat their swords into plowshares..."

from Isaiah 2:1-5, Lectionary for Nov. 27, First Sunday of Advent

Photo: Washington Post

Contents in this Issue:

Election Day Nov. 8

Ten Years Later - Suggestions for Remembering Sandy Hook

ACTION NOW: Find and support Gun Sense candidates at the nonpartisan gunsensevoters.org

Sandy Hook Ten Year Remembrance Dec. 14

On Dec. 14, 2012, in Newtown, CT, a 20-year old took unsecured guns from his mother's home and used them to kill her, 20 children aged 6 and 7, six school staff and himself. The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting is the deadliest school shooting in a long list that includes over 40 school shootings in 2022 so far.

The shooting devastated an entire region and struck fear into parents and school children across the USA. Arousing the conscience of the nation, we can date the birth of the modern Gun Violence Prevention movement from this tragedy.

Here are suggestions for remembrance and action:

1. Local:

Valley Presbyterian Church, in the town next to Newtown, will open their sanctuary on Wed. Dec. 14 at 9:30 am, when the shooting started, until 3:30 pm for prayer, lighting memorial candles and writing prayer slips for that congregation to hold in prayer.

For more information, see HERE.

2. 14 Day Action Challenge:

Founded by Sandy Hook parents, the nonprofit Sandy Hook Promise calls individuals, families and congregations to “December Days of Action -14 Day Action Challenge,” starting Dec. 1. Learn more HERE.

3. On Sun. Nov. 27, begin Advent with a focus on the lectionary reading Isaiah 2:1-5.

4. Guns to Gardens:

On Sat. Dec. 3, and in the week following, a nation-wide Guns to Gardens action will transform unwanted guns into garden tools from coast to coast, as a memorial to the Sandy Hook tragedy.

See a sample flier from churches in Louisville, KY HERE.

For info on the next Guns to Gardens Action Circle for congregations, contact the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship HERE.

Just getting started?

To take a first Guns to Gardens step, acquire your metal-grade chop saw (sample HERE) and hold a “Blessing of the Saw” liturgy in Advent, in memory of Sandy Hook.

See liturgy HERE and the story of Blessing the Saw at two North Carolina Presbyterian congregations HERE.

For info on the next Guns to Gardens Action Circle for congregations, contact the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship HERE. Find an updated info brochure for congregations on Guns to Gardens HERE.

5. Student-Led Worship/Action:

Invite students in your congregation and community to plan and lead a worship service or prayer vigil to remember the Sandy Hook community and all those taken by gun violence. Reach out HERE to youth and young adults at March for Our Lives local chapters. Include actions such as the Offering of Letters ritual in the Peace Fellowship’s Gun Violence Prevention Congregational Toolkit in the section on ACTION. In the section on PASTORAL Resources, find hymns, prayers, scripture and more.

Download the Congregational Toolkit HERE.

Want to be more involved in the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship?

This Week!

For 2 hours each day on Nov. 3,4,5, join in the Peace Fellowship’s Activist Council online Gathering. Join Presbyterian peace activists nation-wide to plan next steps and discover opportunities for collaboration, community and action. Learn more and register for any of the Zoom events Nov. 3-5 HERE.