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Church leaders on gun violence |
| Moderator and Stated Clerk urge actions
to end gun violence in the USA [3-27-04]
Noting that some 11,000 people have died during the conflict in Iraq,
Moderator Susan R. Andrews and Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick then
remind us that some 28,000 people have died during the past year in the
USA, as a result of gun violence.
They urge support of the Million Mom March to "Halt the
Assault Weekend," May 8-10, in Washington, DC. And they reaffirm frequent
policy statements by the Presbyterian Church (USA) in support of gun
control.
Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.)
March 24, 2004
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We have been at war in Iraq for a year now. Close to
11,000 Iraqis have been killed. Nearly 600 United States servicemen and
women have died in the hostilities; another 3,000 have been injured. We ask
you to join us in continued prayers for those who are impacted by war, those
who are serving in the military, and those in positions of authority.
Over the past same year, we cannot help but notice that
28,000 Americans have died and 84,000 have been injured at the barrel of a
gun here at home. Unfortunately, this is nothing new for us. We have lost
28,000 to 35,000 people to gun violence every year since the sixties. In
fact, many more Americans have died from gun violence in our own land in
peacetime than have been killed in all of our wars since 1775.
We are writing to you about this issue in general because
of our ongoing concern that gun violence is claiming the lives of eighty
people every day, of which ten percent are children and teens. We are also
writing to you specifically because it appears that the U.S. Congress is
planning to let the current ban on assault weapons expire this coming
September without the issue coming to a vote.
Several groups across the country are rallying to ask
Congress to renew the ban. One of them, the sponsor of the Million Mom
March, is holding a Mother's Day "Halt the Assault Weekend," May 8-10, in
Washington, DC. The march is not to take away anyone's hunting privileges or
the opportunity to own a gun. The effort is to call on Congress to renew and
strengthen the assault weapons ban; hold gun manufacturers accountable for
their products; require background checks on all gun purchases; and
incorporate safety standards into gun designs. For more information on the
march, go to http://www.mmm2004.com/
Since 1968, Presbyterians have frequently spoken in favor
of gun control through actions of General Assemblies. Most recently, the
212th General Assembly (2000) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) reaffirmed
the church's commitment to gun control, citing the escalating crises of gun
violence in our society taking place in schools, work places, childcare
centers, and private homes. The resolution also called for the reissuing of
previous study papers and for strengthening gun ownership legislation.
A compilation of public policy statements of the PC(USA)
on gun control is available by calling 800-524-2612 and asking for PDS
#72-620-02-706. Additional resources are available online at
www.pcusa.org/criminaljustice.
Presbyterians believe that God made the world so that all
God's children could learn the ways of peace and live in loving and peaceful
communities. May it be so.
In the name of the Prince of Peace,
Susan R. Andrews
Moderator, 215th General Assembly (2003)
Clifton Kirkpatrick
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly |
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Some blogs worth
visiting |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott,
who has created this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years
of scholarship and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here,
we present the voices of feminist theologians of all stripes:
scholars, clergy, students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers,
artists, lovers and devotees, from many parts of the world, all
children of the God in whose image women are made. .... This blog
seeks to glorify God through prayer, work, art, and intellectual
reflection. Through articles and ensuing discussion we hope to
become an active and thoughtful community.
Witherspoon’s Facebook page
Mitch Trigger,
Witherspoon’s Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page
where Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own
news and views, or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest
to you.
John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and
philosophical reflections on everything between summit to shore,
including kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy,
theology, politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.), New York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by
a progressive New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a member of
the Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North
Presbyterian Church in Flushing, NY.
John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian
minister, currently serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church
of Elizabethton, Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion
(both organized and disorganized), life, evolution, literature,
Jesus, and lightening up.
Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note,
and we'll see what we can do! |
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Plan now for ...
GHOST RANCH PEACE & JUSTICE
WEEK
July 27 - August 2, 2009
Now's the time to make reservations to be a part of
the 2009 Peace & Justice Week at Ghost Ranch, July 27-August 2.
There are eight seminars to choose among, including the
Witherspoon-sponsored class “New Eyes for Peace & Justice from the
World Church” led by Clifton Kirkpatrick.
More
information >> |
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Check out our report from the
Conference
on
Terror, Torture,
and Security |
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