October 2026 Welcome, New Readers

We pray for South Africa, which experienced 46 deaths and dozens wounded in 4 mass shootings last week. Lord, have mercy. Lord, bring change.

Photos below from the Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage in September. Michelle, LaRon and Maureen from the group "Uncornered" in Kansas City shared what's working there to prevent gun violence among youth; late night forging party to file down slices of gun barrels to make courage medals; participants in the 3rd annual Atwood Institute represented 20 states and DC. Thank you to all who came and all who lent leadership, sponsorship and support. Photos: Martha Smith, PPF

Great Links for Next Steps:

Find a news story on the Atwood Institute HERE

Watch the Atwood Keynote Evening with Rev. Dr. Jer Swigart HERE.

NEW!!! Watch a new Webinar for Clergy & Church Leaders on How to Use Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) to protect congregants and their loved ones from gun violence HERE.

Download the new Clergy ERPO Guide HERE.

This Guide to ERPOs is offered by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center for Gun Violence Solutions and interfaith groups, such as Faith Leaders for Ending Gun Violence and the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness Decade to End Gun Violence.

Need a grant for your gun violence prevention project?

Apply for Presbyterian grants now HERE.

Last chance this week!

Thursdays Oct 8 - Nov. 12

One hour on Zoom, Noon ET or 7:30pm ET options

Click Here to learn about Guns to Gardens Action Circles

What Do Action Circles Cover?

Session 1 No One Does Guns to Gardens Alone: Outreach, Language and Allies

Session 2 Intersection of Guns and Race: Making Guns to Gardens Antiracist

Session 3 All about Chop Saws! How to host a safe surrender in a church parking lot

Session 4 Reaching Gun Owners: Gift cards, fundraising and publicity

Session 5 Gun Safety/Ask the Experts Anything: RAWTools blacksmiths/gun handlers

Session 6: Centering Our Faith and Pastoral Care in the work of Guns to Gardens

Local Spotlight: South Carolina!

McGregor Presbyterian Church & RAWTools South

On Sept. 26, 74 firearms were dismantled in the parking lot of McGregor Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC. Organizer Glenda Swearingen reports that 60 of the guns were surrendered by the Richland County Sheriff's Dept. from a stockpile of confiscated and evidence guns. This was a real breakthrough, so that these guns were dismantled, transformed and not returned to the gun market --and to develop a partnership with law enforcement for Guns to Gardens. Congratulations to all!

Watch News Story HERE. (there is an ad at first)

Photo: JA Harris, The State