Eric Dillenbeck
(Photo by Amy Kim Kyremes Parks )

September 22, 2016

Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. (Leviticus 19:16 NLT)

Do Not Stand Idly By (DNSIB) is more than a catchy phrase; it is a biblical mandate and founding principle that guides the work of a campaign started by the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation, an ecumenical coalition of congregations across the country. We seek to stand with and work on behalf of those who have been impacted by gun violence. This national campaign seeks to get safer, smarter gun technology into the marketplace and to pressure manufacturers to work toward safer, smarter dealer networks.

In February, after a record number of gun deaths in Cleveland last year, our local DNSIB group took to the streets to demand change. We stood together in front of Atlantic Gun &Tackle, a local gun dealer identified by the Brady Campaign as a “bad apple” gun dealer, to draw attention to the problem and to ask for more accountability.

In addition to this work, we have been visiting local mayors to educate them about the aims of DNSIB and to ask them to endorse our work by signing our Request for Information about smart gun technology. To date 102 municipalities across the country have requested information from gun manufacturers about smart gun technology.

This work will not eradicate gun violence, but these are some common-sense steps that people of faith can rally around to help create some change, including larger conversations about gun violence in our communities. The work continues and depends on people of faith like you and me working together for peace for all people because we cannot stand idly by.

Rev. Eric Dillenbeck, Associate Pastor, Fairmount Presbyterian Church, and Past Chair of Greater Cleveland Congregations Gun Violence Reduction Team
Today’s Focus:  Global Week of Action against Gun Violence

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Richard Embry, PMA
Betsy Ensign-George, PW     

Let us pray

O God of love, give us such love for one another that we would not stand idly by as others in our community and country continue to be affected by gun violence. Give us the strength and courage to stand and work together for your peace.

Daily Lectionary

Morning Psalms 143; 147:12-20
First Reading Esther 7:1-10
Second Reading Acts 19:11-20
Gospel Reading Luke 4:14-30
Evening Psalms 81; 116