Welcome, New Readers

Photo right: Tree of Life, British Museum, Wikipedia Commons

Photo left: Canon Rosalind Hughes, of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, came upon this sculpture on a museum visit this summer. She writes: "The Tree of Life from Mozambique represents weapons given up in exchange for plows, sewing machines, a tractor. Being in the room with it was a visceral experience for me. It makes me even more grateful for all of you and the work that you do, in very different but similar lanes, for peace."

As faith activists to prevent gun violence, let us be grateful for one another, all over the world. Amen.

September is Suicide Prevention Month

While we are making progress to reduce gun violence, gun suicide remains at peak levels. Johns Hopkins reports that over 27,000 Americans died by gun suicide in 2024. These were primarily older white men, especially veterans, but increasingly children, youth and people of color.

A lectionary reading for September 27 is:

Let each of you look not only to your own interests,

but also to the interests of others. Phil. 2:4

Preventing gun suicide is a proactive way of looking after the interests of others, particularly those who are in crisis over relationships, employment, addiction, discrimination or bullying, money, mental or physical health.

Below are resources to use and to share.

Lord have mercy.

Worship Bulletin Insert/Flier Download Free HERE

Short Article on Gun Suicide as a Public Health Issue

Article on how Guns to Gardens helped a familiy heal from suicide by Scotty Utz of RAWTools South

"When You Fear Someone May Take their Life," in the PPF

Gun Violence Prevention Congregational Toolkit, pages 48-50,

2025 Edition. Download Free Digital Toolkit

For more training in suicide prevention, see Asist Training

and/or

Extreme Risk Protection Order Webinar for Clergy Sept. 29 at 1:30pm ET by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center for Gun Violence Solutions

Need Inspiration? 3 Great Ideas: