God Before Guns Tribute

Gun Violence Prevention News for Congregations July 2023 "God Before Guns" Tribute Edition - Saying Thank You This special "Thank You" edition is a tribute to God Before Guns of Cleveland, OH. As this all-volunteer organization completes its extraordinay work, let's celebrate them and learn from them. Read on! Photo: God Before Guns Board of Directors, left to right, Rev. Heidi Barham, Rev. Kristine Eggert, Cynthia Lehman, Drew Gittins, Dr. Chantal Dothey, David Eggert, Dawn Greene, Mimi Pelvin-Foust, Robert Ault, Bruce Ente. Not pictured: Noah Budin  The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship says THANK YOU & Job Well Done to the Board and Staff of God Before Guns, founded in 2013 as one of the first faith-based gun violence prevention organizations in the United States. On June 30, the group completed their work. PPF celebrates their legacy. Let's all work to keep it going. godbeforeguns.org Photo: God Before Guns March across the Bridge in Cleveland, OH Read an interview with Kris and David Eggert, Co-Founders of God Before Guns, on what they've learned in ten years of doing this important interfaith work. "Clergy and congregations are no longer dismissing gun violence as 'just political.' Now they see it as a sanctity of life issue. We've seen a surge in the number of faith communities who recognize that they've got a voice and that they need to use that voice...." Read the interview HERE. Gun Safety Cards God Before Guns has distributed over 50,000 of these Gun Safety Cards, with a focus on saving lives through safe gun storage. The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship will carry that legacy forward! Use these cards in school backpack campaigns, at community events and to distribute in your neighborhood. Order Guns Safety Cards from PPF or download a free pdf HERE. Sample Gun Safety Card Tip: "Always ask if there is a gun in another family's home and, if so, how it is secured, before sending your child over to play or your teen to party. If you have doubts, invite the children to play at your house." Photo: Blacksmith Scotty Utz joined PPF delegation to share Guns to Gardens at last week's Wild Goose Festival in Union, NC Photo: David Ensign Guns to Gardens Action Circles Start Soon! Thursdays July 27 - Aug. 24 One Hour on Zoom with 2 time options Join with other church members across the nation to learn all the steps needed for your own Guns to Gardens Safe Surrender event. Explore how your church can take direct action to prevent gun suicides, family gun violence, unintentional shootings, mass shootings related to gun theft and other gun violence. Space is limited. Sign up today! Registration ends Wed. July 26 for this cycle. Learn more about Guns to Gardens HERE. Register HERE for daytime Cohort at 12:30 pm ET, 11:30 am CT, 10:30 am MT, 9:30 am PT Register HERE for evening Cohort at 7:30 pm ET, 6:30 pm CT, 5:30 pm MT, 4:30 pm PT Can We Count on You? Please support the Gun Violence Prevention Ministry of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship with your church, presbytery or personal giving. We can't do this work alone! Gifts are tax-deductible. Give HERE now. Or Mail checks, payable Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, marked "Gun Violence Prevention" to: Presbyterian Peace Fellowship 17 Cricketown Rd. Stony Point, NY 10980 Thank you! Learn more at presbypeacefellowship.org/gun-violence Rev. Deanna Hollas, Gun Violence Prevention Coordinator deanna@presbypeacefellowship.org News! Share new article in Presbyterian Outlook by Rev. Deanna Hollas, From Despair to Hope: Mobilizing Your Church to End Gun Violence HERE.