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james atwood institute for congregational courage
A Louisville pastor recently summed up the nation’s gun violence crisis with a three-word refrain: “Enough is enough.”
The Rev. Dr. Angela Johnson, pastor of Louisville’s Grace Hope Presbyterian Church, delivered a brief but powerful sermon during a morning chapel service for employees of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Sometimes things come full circle.
The scene: At a Presbyterian Peacemaking Program conference at Ghost Ranch in 2010, a filmmaker from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance heeds a plea from retired pastor James Atwood to make a documentary about gun violence and its impact on families and communities. The result is the award-winning film, “Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence,” since seen by millions of viewers.
Flash forward: This August 22-25, David Barnhart and his PDA crew will roll the cameras again at the James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. The goal? To interview participants at the new gun violence prevention training event honoring the late Jim Atwood. The result? A planned sequel to “Trigger,” as part of the Presbyterian Decade to End Gun Violence.
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?
When the call went out to those concerned about gun violence to go to Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center in New Mexico, the first registrants hailed from the Atlantic to the Pacific regions of the country.
Why go to New Mexico? For the James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage. This new initiative of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship will be held August 22-25 at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico.
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?
If these questions call to you, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship invites you — and perhaps others from your church — to attend the inaugural James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage at the Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center in Abiquiu, New Mexico, August 22-25. Honoring the late Presbyterian prophet of gun violence prevention, James Atwood, the Institute will offer intense continuing education for clergy and lay leaders in a range of educational, pastoral and action strategies for gun violence prevention mission in the local congregation.
