About the Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team

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.

Goals:

1. Convene conversations across the denomination, to share our lived experiences with guns and gun violence, to clarify our convictions as Christians and Brethren, and to identify strategies for action.
2. Build a network of CoB gun violence prevention advocates who provide mutual support, inspiration, and skill-sharing.
3. Catalyze congregations to take collective action as Christians, witnessing to God’s shalom/God’s purpose for humanity.
4. Activate agencies and institutions of the Church of the Brethren to bring their own resources and expertise to this effort 

Want to get involved?

Our team meets regularly, these meetings are often scheduled internally. If you would like to get in contact with our team or attend our meetings reach out to:Matt Guynn at [email protected] or Mandy Park at [email protected]

Why Brethren and Gun Violence Prevention?

The Annual Conference statement in 1978 on “Violence and the Use of Firearms” (link) is evidence that the issue of gun violence has long been a concern of the Church of the Brethren. Unfortunately, gun violence has become a more frequent occurrence in the United States with even more deadly consequences now than forty-five years ago. Whether it’s a mass shooting, homicide, suicide, or an accidental shooting, gun violence results in long-lasting trauma and grief. What does the Church of the Brethren have to say in response to all of this? What are specific actions that the Church of the Brethren can take toward the goal of ending gun violence and combating the glorification of guns in our culture? 

These questions motivate this national group of Brethren to engage the denomination in search of concerted action. The team longs to hear the denomination’s voice speaking clearly against gun violence, the too-easy access to guns, and the glorification of guns in our culture. They hope to activate local advocates and denominational voices to work towards ending gun violence. 

Annual Conference 2023

• Vigil & Public Witness for Gun Violence Prevention - July 6, after Afternoon Business

The team invites you to join us following the afternoon business session on Thursday, July 6. We will gather (location TBA) and walk to City Hall to sing, pray, and remember the lives lost to gun violence in partnership with other local groups working on this issue.

The purpose of the witness is to pray, to support those touched by gun violence, and to be inspired to take action after Conference. The team hopes this event can support and strengthen the work of gun violence prevention groups in Ohio and build a network of Church of the Brethren gun violence prevention advocates.

• Exhibit Hall Booth

Stop by our exhibit hall table during Annual Conference! There, you can learn more about gun violence prevention and how to get involved in our work within the CoB. There will be hands-on activities like scarf and quilt-making, as well as an opportunity to consider how you can be an agent of change to end gun violence.