Presbyterian Mission Agency gun violence prevention Archives

James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage set for Ghost Ranch Aug. 22–25

Posted June 25th, 2024

With every event of gun violence, does the Spirit tug at you to do something? Yet what? And how? And do I have the courage and skill to do it? Or… I’ve been working on this — how do I become more effective?

Guns to Gardens event coming to General Assembly on Sunday in Salt Lake City

Posted June 25th, 2024

As the nation reels from mass shootings, local Presbyterians have joined with other faith communities to mark Gun Violence Prevention Month by “Wear Orange” events and Guns to Gardens safe surrender days, most held in church parking lots. The June gun violence prevention activities will culminate in Salt Lake City on Sunday with a Guns to Gardens demonstration as the PC(U.S.A.) gathers for its 226th General Assembly.

Panelists encourage churches to get involved in gun violence prevention

Posted July 31st, 2023

Near the end of a recent Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) webinar, Tracie Campbell made an impassioned plea for people of faith to “do something” to curtail gun violence in this country.

The Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffett offers up a homily on gun violence prevention

Posted April 14th, 2023

The Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, offers us this homily she delivered via Zoom Wednesday as part of the PMA’s Chapel Service. Click on the link above to view Moffett’s 15-minute homily.

As gun violence grows, so does awareness and advocacy

Posted June 28th, 2021

Finding ways to prevent gun violence and raise awareness about gun control advocacy are common struggles for many PC(USA) churches.

Experts offer advice to help churches discuss gun violence prevention

Posted January 16th, 2020

Gun violence prevention can be woven into various aspects of church life, from worship and pastoral care to Bible study and youth groups. But the potentially divisive topic warrants some preparation, thought and sensitive handling, according to experts featured in the latest webinar in the “Standing Our Holy Ground” series.

How safe is your church?

Posted August 20th, 2019

The pastor glumly ordered a salad with dressing on the side. Her lunch companion wondered whether her friend would rather have had a greasy hamburger instead. The pastor’s sour mood, though, wasn’t about healthy food choices. It was about the choice her session had made to lock the doors during Sunday morning worship.

A prayer on the first Parkland school shooting anniversary

Posted February 13th, 2019

Thursday marks the one-year anniversary of the Parkland, Florida school shooting, which killed 17 students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.