COB Gun Violence Prevention Newsletter: March 2026

Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention

March 2026 Newsletter:

A Call to Action: Safe Gun Storage 

Offered by the COB Gun Violence Prevention Action Team 

In this Issue

1. Reminder March 23-27: Say Something 
2. A Call for Action for April 20-24:  Youth Violence Prevention Week 
3. Plan Ahead for Bereaved Mother’s Day May 3, 2026
4. Safe Gun Storage: Be SMART
5. Learn how other churches and GVP folks implemented Gun Violence Prevention 

Reminder! March 23-27: Say Something 

Sandy Hook Promise has created a curriculum for students from elementary through high school. The easy-to-follow lessons help to build a community of Upstanders who can recognize warning signs and 

“Say Something” to get help.

Additional resources to use for your congregation can be found here.

Call to Action April 20-24:  Youth Violence Prevention Week 

Founded in 2001, National Youth Violence Prevention Week is a community-wide campaign to promote effective strategies to prevent youth violence. Violence is everyone’s concern, and we invite you to work hand in hand with youth and your community to raise awareness and pursue solutions.

This month we can:

1. Let youth know they are supported by their community.
2. Reinforce that violence prevention is an issue that needs collective attention.
3. Remind others that an engaged community is a safe community.

Here are some ideas of ways to bring awareness in your congregation and community:

• Work with your congregation’s media coordinator to post information on social media. 
• Consider applying for a district-level grant (e.g. Jesus in the Neighborhood Grant in PSWD) to connect with your community. 
• Bring awareness to your own congregation.

Plan for Bereaved Mother’s Day

Talk to your pastor or worship team about including a litany and/or a prayer 

in your church service on May 3rd, 2026.

Look for these elements in our April Newsletter! 

Are you trained yet to Be SMART Training

Learn: Gun Violence Prevention Stories and Actions from Others

Muskegon County Cooperation of Churches Prayer Walk Against Gun Violence 

In 2025, 15 congregations participated in the annual Prayer Walk which consisted of a time to remember victims of gun violence, and singing as we moved from prayer station to prayer station. To learn more about the details of how to plan such an event in your community, check out this link. 

Let Us Know

COB GVP Action Team members at Annual Conference 2025

Please contact the team at [email protected] to share the story of your service, including pictures or anecdotes.  

With each action we move closer to peace and justice and beloved community,  

The COB GVP Action Team, a project of On Earth Peace,
Mandy Park, Sandi Evans Rogers, Rhonda Baker, Linda Himes, Bev Eikenberry, Gerald Rhoades, Linda Williams, Gail Heisel, Steve Stone, Matt Guynn, and Anesu Makufa. 

Calendar for the 2026

The calendar below lists the events we will be promoting in 2026. Please share this with your leadership, affinity groups, or other interested parties. Choose which events/activities that interest your church so that you can plan ahead. Each month we will provide resources to help you prepare and support the listed event.

Click on the blue link below to find out more information.

January: Be SMART

February: Say Something March 23-27

March: Youth Violence Prevention Week April 20-24

April: Bereaved Mother’s Day (new resources) We will provide elements to include in your church service

May: Wear Orange Purchase COB Orange t-shirts here

June: Bring Annual Conference to your Congregation

Get prepared for Annual Conference Or bring Annual Conference happenings to your church

July: (TBD)

August: Pinwheels for Whilred Peace (new resources)

Prepare for International Day of Peace 

September: Bystander Training Tips

Learn different methods a person can use to help victims of harassment

October: Elections/Legislation Activism

Information will be provided about Gun Violence Prevention and national/local elections

November: National Vigil to End Gun Violence (new resources)

Prepare for Blue Christmas or All Saints Day Service

Service Elements will be provided

December: Celebrate Progress

Let us know what your congregation contributed to Gun Violence Prevention

The Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team has formed to galvanize the Church of the Brethren to be faithful as an effective force for reducing gun violence in our neighborhoods and wherever it occurs.

Help support On Earth Peace's internships and work for justice and peace by following our social media/blog and donating!

We want to make sure On Earth Peace can continue to build a beloved community far into the future.