/December 14-18
Pledge your congregation's participation in the Fall 2016 National Vigil for Gun Violence Victims and National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend, December 14-18
Following the great success of the 3rd annual National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend in December 2015 at more than 500 places of worship in 46 states and the District of Columbia, Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence and the Washington National Cathedral are joining the Newtown Foundation and States United to Prevent Gun Violence in calling all Americans across the nation to keep raising our voices for change by pledging to participate in December 2016!
Join places of worship across the nation, the Newtown Foundation and Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, a coalition of more than 50 national denominations and faith-based organizations, to remember those who have lost their lives to gunfire, pray for those whose lives have been forever changed because of the loss of a loved one, and to educate one another on proven strategies to reduce gun violence.
See Past & Present Participants
Schedule for December 14-18:
Thursday, December 14: Possible kickoff event in Washington, D.C.
Thursday – Sunday, December 14-18: Congregations across the nation participate via prayer, song, vigils and education. December 14th is the actual anniversary of the tragic Newtown shooting.
Below, you will find resources provided by national, state and local faith organizations to help you plan a prayer, moment of reflection, call to action and more. Or you can jump to your faith tradition's resources by clicking one of these quick links:
Buddhism
Christianity
Hinduism
Judaism
Islam
Sikh
Unitarian Universalist
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Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
/Christianity
SAMPLE CHRISTIAN SERMONS AND PRAYERS
Example Program/ Schedule for Interfaith Gun Violence Prevention Event (2015)
Courtesy of the Washington National Cathedral (View)
Vigilance Follows the Vigil – A Litany (2015)
Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Jr. of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Courtesy of the National Council of Churches (View)
Re-turning to God (2015)
The Rev. Sally Johnston of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields (View)
Get Out of the Gun Empire with Father Abraham – Dr. Linda Gaither (2014)
Courtesy of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship (View)
Childrens Sermon on Gun Violence Outline
Adapted from "Walking Cheerfully"
w/ Special Thanks to Swarthmore United Methodist Church (View)
For Too Long (Prayer)
Rev. Jan Nunley
St. Peters Episcopal Church (View)
Sermon: The Difference a Gun Can Make
Courtesy of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship (View)
Episcopal Sermons (2012)
Courtesy of Episcopal Cafe (View)
Collected Prayers (2012)
Courtesy of One Step Closer Blog (View)
Advent Sermon on Newtown Tragedy – Rev. Denise Yarbrough (2012)
Courtesy of Interfaith Conversations Blog (View)
Agents of Advent – Bishop Jeffrey Lee (2012)
Courtesy of Episcopal Bishops Against Gun Violence (View)
Enough. Is. Enough – Rev. Lauren R. Stanley (2012)
Courtesy of Emmanuel Episcopal Church (Staunton, VA) (View)
Repentance Means Becoming Human – Rev. Mike Marsh (2012) (View)
Litany, Hymn and Scripture Passages
Courtesy of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship (View)
Hope Has Two Daughters: Anger & Courage – Rev. Shannan R. Vance-Ocampo (2012)
Courtesy of Justice Unbound and the Watchung Avenue Presbyterian Church (View)
HYMNS
"God of Mercy, You Have Shown Us" Hymn – Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
Courtesy of the Presbyterian Church USA (View/ Download)
"God We Have Heard It" Hymn – Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
Courtesy of the Presbyterian Church USA (View/ Download)
CHRISTIAN RESOURCES/ INSPIRATION
Lectionary on Gun Violence (North Carolina Council of Churches)
God Not Guns Worship Guide (Brady Center)
What Your Church Can Do about Gun Violence (Baptist Peace Fellowship)
Preventing Gun Violence Study Guide (Mennonite)
Gun Violence, Gospel Values Study Guide (Presbyterian Church USA)
Overcoming Violence Study Guide (United Church of Christ)
Worship/prayer resources (National Council of Churches USA)
Gun Violence Prevention Worship Resources (Presbyterian Church USA)
American Baptist Home Mission Societies Public Witness Statement on Gun Violence
EVENT IDEAS
Engagement Activity: Dinner with a missing guest
Hand out a paper plate to each congregant with a prayer on them and ask congregants to place the plate at the dinner table on December 14th, the anniversary of the tragic shootings in Newtown, to represent one of the many who are no longer with us. (Get the one-pager w/ prayer courtesy of Eileen McCarron.)
Sermon & Education
Deliver a Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath sermon, invite reporters to attend, and provide gun violence prevention information/activities to congregants.
Shoes we can never fill
Provide the visual of empty shoes or clothes on a clothesline outside church and invite media to vigil. See examples of the powerful imagery of shoes here.
Points of Light
Light thousands of tealight candles depicting the number of people who have been lost to gun violence since Newtown or light candles representing the number of local gun violence victims. (A helpful calculator showing how many gun deaths since Newtown is available here.)
Vigil & Vocals
Hold a vigil or church service with choir outside member of Congress's office. While church choir is singing, have names of gun violence victims read. Intersperse lines of psalms with names of gun violence victims.
Fasting for Action
A communal fast – have a continuous 2,000 hour fast (12 weeks) where people commit to fasting for one day outside elected officials’ office for gun violence victims.
Acts of Kindness
Perform a specific number of acts of kindness to honor the number lost to gun violence in your community since Newtown.
Have a sermon, prayer, hymn or other resource you would like to submit? Please contact us.
Between December 14-18, hundreds of places of worship and other groups across the country will participate in the National Vigil for Gun Violence Victims and the National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend. There are many ways to participate – please join us.
Do not stand
idly by the blood
of your neighbor.
/Judaism
SAMPLE SERMONS
An Armed Amalek: Why We Must Not Stand Idly By – Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk (2012), Courtesy of Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, OH (View/Download PDF)
Yes, This Is A Sermon on Gun Control – Rabbi Audrey R. Korotkin (2012) (View/Download)
RESOURCES/ INSPIRATION
Gun Violence Prevention Community Resource Guide (Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism)
Source Sheet on Gun Violence (Rabbi Ashira Konigsburg and the Rabbinical Assembly)
Kaddish for Gun Violence Shabbat (Rabbi Richard Plavin)
A Surprising Sugya on Responsibility and Weapons Sales (Rabbi David Weiner)
PRAYERS AND READINGS FOR TIMES OF TRAGEDY
Gun Shabbat Prayer (courtesy of Temple Micah in Washington, D.C.)
EVENT IDEAS
Engagement Activity: Dinner with a missing guest
Hand out a paper plate to each congregant with a prayer on them and ask congregants to place the plate at the dinner table on December 14th, the anniversary of the tragic shootings in Newtown, to represent one of the many who are no longer with us. (Get the one-pager w/ prayer courtesy of Eileen McCarron.)
Sermon & Education
Deliver a Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath sermon, invite reporters to attend, and provide gun violence prevention information/activities to congregants.
Shoes we can never fill
Provide the visual of empty shoes or clothes on a clothesline outside church and invite media to vigil. See examples of the powerful imagery of shoes here.
Points of Light
Light thousands of tealight candles depicting the number of people who have been lost to gun violence since Newtown or light candles representing the number of local gun violence victims.
Vigil & Vocals
Hold a vigil or church service with choir outside member of Congress's office. While church choir is singing, have names of gun violence victims read. Intersperse lines of psalms with names of gun violence victims.
Fasting for Action
A communal fast – have a continuous 2,000 hour fast (12 weeks) where people commit to fasting for one day outside elected officials’ office for gun violence victims.
Acts of Kindness
Perform a specific number of acts of kindness to honor the number lost to gun violence in your community since Newtown.
Have a sermon, prayer, hymn or other resource you would like to submit? Please contact us.
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Hand out this educational flyer during your service on the GVP Sabbath Weekend, Dec 14-18.
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/Islam
Prayers
Collection of Islamic Prayers for Peace
Muslim Prayers for Peace
Courtesy of Muslim Peace Fellowship
Have a sermon, prayer, hymn or other resource you would like to submit? Please contact us.
EVENT IDEAS
Engagement Activity: Dinner with a missing guest
Hand out a paper plate to each congregant with a prayer on them and ask congregants to place the plate at the dinner table on December 14th, the anniversary of the tragic shootings in Newtown, to represent one of the many who are no longer with us. (Get the one-pager w/ sample prayer courtesy of Eileen McCarron.)
Sermon & Education
Deliver a Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath sermon, invite reporters to attend, and provide gun violence prevention information/activities to congregants.
Shoes we can never fill
Provide the visual of empty shoes or clothes on a clothesline outside place of worship and invite media to vigil. See examples of the powerful imagery of shoes here.
Points of Light
Light thousands of tealight candles depicting the number of people who have been lost to gun violence since Newtown or light candles representing the number of local gun violence victims.
Vigil & Vocals
Hold a vigil or worship service with choir outside member of Congress's office. While choir is singing, have names of gun violence victims read. Intersperse lines of psalms with names of gun violence victims.
Fasting for Action
A communal fast – have a continuous 2,000 hour fast (12 weeks) where people commit to fasting for one day outside elected officials’ office for gun violence victims.
Acts of Kindness
Perform a specific number of acts of kindness to honor the number lost to gun violence in your community since Newtown.
Participating in the December 2016 Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend is simple and impactful! List your place of worship today.
May peace
radiate
in the sky
as well as in the vast ethereal
space
everywhere.
/Hinduism
Hindu Prayer for Peace
May peace radiate in the sky as well as in the vast ethereal space everywhere.
May peace reign all over this earth, in water and in all herbs, trees, and creepers.
May peace flow over the whole universe.
May peace be in the Absolute Reality.
And may there always exist in all peace and peace alone.
Aum! May our environment be peaceful. May the external forces be peaceful. May we all have inner peace.
Aum! May the Absolute protect all
May the Absolute nourish all
May we work together with great energy,
May our studies be vigorous and effective;
May we not not hate one another
Aum! May our environment be peaceful. May the external forces be peaceful. May we all have inner peace.
Have a sermon, prayer, hymn or other resource you would like to submit? Please contact us.
Hindu Resources on Ahimsa or Non-Hurting
Ahimsa – the Cosmic Law of Non-Hurting
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha on Ahimsa
Swami Chinmayananda – The Three Principles: Self-control, Non-Hurting, and Truthfulness
EVENT IDEAS
Sermon & Education
Deliver a Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath sermon or reading, invite reporters to attend, and provide gun violence prevention information/activities to congregants.
Shoes we can never fill
Provide the visual of empty shoes or clothes on a clothesline outside place of worship and invite media to vigil. See examples of the powerful imagery of shoes here.
Points of Light
Light thousands of tealight candles depicting the number of people who have been lost to gun violence since Newtown or light candles representing the number of local gun violence victims.
Vigil & Vocals
Hold a vigil or worship service with choir outside member of Congress's office. While choir is singing, have names of gun violence victims read. Intersperse lines of psalms with names of gun violence victims.
Fasting for Action
A communal fast – have a continuous 2,000 hour fast (12 weeks) where people commit to fasting for one day outside elected officials’ office for gun violence victims.
Acts of Kindness
Perform a specific number of acts of kindness to honor the number lost to gun violence in your community since Newtown.
Stand with thousands of places of worship across the country. Sign up to participate in the Fall 2016 Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend!
/Sikh
Sikh Prayers
Sikh Prayer That Longs for a World at Peace
Have a sermon, prayer, hymn or other resource you would like to submit? Please contact us.
EVENT IDEAS
Sermon & Education
Deliver a Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath sermon, invite reporters to attend, and provide gun violence prevention information/activities to congregants.
Shoes we can never fill
Provide the visual of empty shoes or clothes on a clothesline outside place of worship and invite media to vigil. See examples of the powerful imagery of shoes here.
Points of Light
Light thousands of tealight candles depicting the number of people who have been lost to gun violence since Newtown or light candles representing the number of local gun violence victims.
Vigil & Vocals
Hold a vigil or worship service with choir outside member of Congress's office. While choir is singing, have names of gun violence victims read. Intersperse lines of psalms with names of gun violence victims.
Fasting for Action
A communal fast – have a continuous 2,000 hour fast (12 weeks) where people commit to fasting for one day outside elected officials’ office for gun violence victims.
Acts of Kindness
Perform a specific number of acts of kindness to honor the number lost to gun violence in your community since Newtown.
Ideas For Your Congregation:
• Hold a candlelight vigil
• Dedicate your service to non-violence
• Say a prayer to end gun violence and pass out educational flyer
/Universalist
SERMONS
At Our Worst – Rev. Kate R. Walker accompanied by Lori Haas (2014)
Courtesy of Mount Vernon Unitarian Church (View)
Fear, Anger and Rejection Meet Love, Compassion and Acceptance – Rev. Kate R. Walker (2014) Courtesy of Mount Vernon Unitarian Church (View)
Call to Arms for Protection – Rev. Kate R. Walker (2014)
Courtesy of Mount Vernon Unitarian Church (View)
Politics of the Broken-Hearted – Rev. Dr. J. Carl Gregg (2012)
Courtesy of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick, Maryland (View)
Preventing Gun Violence – – Rev. Dr. J. Carl Gregg (2013)
Courtesy of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick, Maryland (View)
Have a sermon, prayer, hymn or other resource you would like to submit? Please contact us.
EVENT IDEAS
Sermon & Education
Deliver a Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath sermon, invite reporters to attend, and provide gun violence prevention information/activities to congregants.
Shoes we can never fill
Provide the visual of empty shoes or clothes on a clothesline outside place of worship and invite media to vigil. See examples of the powerful imagery of shoes here.
Points of Light
Light thousands of tealight candles depicting the number of people who have been lost to gun violence since Newtown or light candles representing the number of local gun violence victims.
Vigil & Vocals
Hold a vigil or worship service with choir outside member of Congress's office. While choir is singing, have names of gun violence victims read. Intersperse lines of psalms with names of gun violence victims.
Fasting for Action
A communal fast – have a continuous 2,000 hour fast (12 weeks) where people commit to fasting for one day outside elected officials’ office for gun violence victims.
Acts of Kindness
Perform a specific number of acts of kindness to honor the number lost to gun violence in your community since Newtown.
/Contact
Have questions, comments or suggestions about the Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend? Send us a message.
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/Buddhism
PRAYERS FOR PEACE
General Prayer for Peace
Invocation of Peace
Golden Chain
Prayer of Lovingkindness
May Peace Harmonious
Bodhisattva Prayer for Humanity
We Pray for Peace
Dedication for a Meaningful Life
Dedication from "Guide to a Bodhisattvas Way of Life“
WRITTEN INSPIRATION
courtesy of Venerable Thubten Chodron, Sravasti Abbey
Living on Automatic Versus Living from Our Heart
A Meditation for Survivors of Suicide
courtesy of Roshi Joan Halifax
The Only Way to Save the World
Compassion and the True Meaning of Empathy
Practicing G.R.A.C.E.: How to Bring Compassion Into Your Interactions With Others
Meditation for a New Perspective
DISCUSSION POINTS
DISCUSSIONS/ GATHERINGS (VIDEO)
Faith Leaders, This is Your Chance! (Venerable Thubten Chodron, 2013)
Part 1 :: Part 2 :: Part 3 :: Part 4
Gun Violence: It's Time For Us to Speak Out (Venerable Losang Samten, 2013)
Handling Emotions In Response To Mass Shootings (Venerable Thubten Chodron, 2013)
EVENT IDEAS
Gathering & Education
Hold a Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath gathering, invite reporters to attend, and provide gun violence prevention information/activities to congregants.
Shoes we can never fill
Provide the visual of empty shoes or clothes on a clothesline outside place of worship and invite media to vigil. See examples of the powerful imagery of shoes here.
Points of Light
Light thousands of tealight candles depicting the number of people who have been lost to gun violence since Newtown or light candles representing the number of local gun violence victims. (A helpful but less than accurate calculator showing how many gun deaths since Newtown is available here.)
Vigil & Vocals
Hold a vigil or worship service with choir outside member of Congress's office. While choir is singing, have names of gun violence victims read. Intersperse lines of psalms with names of gun violence victims.
Fasting for Action
A communal fast – have a continuous 2,000 hour fast (12 weeks) where people commit to fasting for one day outside elected officials’ office for gun violence victims.
Acts of Kindness
Perform a specific number of acts of kindness to honor the number lost to gun violence in your community since Newtown.