Gun Violence Prevention Dec. News

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Gun Violence Prevention News for Congregations Dec. 2024 Welcome to new readers!  On this day of a school shooting in Madison, WI and this week of the 12th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Shooting, find an Advent Prayer to End Gun Violence HERE from Rita Niblack, one of PPF's Guns to Gardens Action Circle Leaders, Denver, CO. Short notice, but an excellent opportunity... Sign Up Today! Thurs. Dec 19 Online Panel with Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence: The 2024 Election: Threats and Opportunity for Gun Violence Prevention Dec. 19 at 7 pm ET, 6 CT, 5 MT, 4 PT Hear from leaders from key national GVP orgnaizations on next steps. Register HERE Photo: Gun Violence Candlelight Vigil, 2017, Barrenton Township, MI. Michigan has long been resistant to gun safety laws. This week the Michigan State Senate passed laws banning ghost guns and bump stocks, with several other gun safety actions still pending. The actions will now go to the Michigan House. From coast to coast, you are making a difference. In celebration of the Prince of Peace, let's keep going. Christmas love to you.  Early Registration Now Open! James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage Sept. 24- 27, 2025 Massanetta Springs Conference Center, Harrisonburg, VA 2025 Keynote Speaker - Rev. Sharon Risher, Author of For Such a Time as This: Hope and Forgiveness After the Charleston Massacre The Atwood Institute is a game-changing, ecumenical project of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship to gather, equip and encourage clergy and lay leaders for gun violence prevention ministry by congregations. Build Skills, Vision and Friends -- Comprehensive Training Guns to Gardens Hands-On Experience and More Hold your space! Early Bird Registration HERE Photo: 2024 Atwood Institute, Ghost Ranch, NM Calling for Action so that Children May Live Free from Gun Violence Upon statements of the Presbyterian General Assembly and other faith groups, a key focus for the next years must be protecting children from gun violence, the top killer of U.S. children today. How to start? BeSMART for Kids Campaign Training Jan. 14, 8 pm ET Online Learn How to Promote Secure Gun StorageRE. in your Community - a Direct Action to Save Lives Register HERE. Another Direct Action: Guns to Gardens Winter Zoom Action Circles Thursdays Jan. 16 - Feb. 13, 2025 Noon ET or 7:30 pm ET 1 Hour Per Week & 1 Hour of Preparation Register Noon ET HERE or 7:30 pm ET HERE  Photo: New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence held their 21st Safe Surrender event this week, taking in 222 firearms, of which half were semi-automatics and assault-style weapons. Find their story HERE The Presbyterian Decade to End Gun Violence offers grants for action projects. Congratulations to those who have received grants! Be very specific about your project in your application. Apply HERE. T-Shirts Guns to Gardens T-shirts and sweatshirts with the Guns to Gardens logo on the front and Isaiah 2:4 on the back. Order for your church volunteers for gun violence prevention events or as a gift. Order HERE Support PPF's Gun Violence Prevention Ministry We need support from churches, individuals and presbyteries to do this work. Gifts of all amounts are needed. Gifts are tax-deductible.  Give HERE or Mail checks to: "Presbyterian Peace Fellowship" att: Gun Violence Prevention 17 Cricketown Rd. Stony Point, NY 10980 Thank you. GIVE HERE! 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