Gun Violence in America: Think, pray, act

by Mimi Shipp,
Emmanuel Episcopal Church

June 6, 2023

On Sunday, June 4, 2023 Churches Together for Justice in Webster Groves, which includes Christ Lutheran Church, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, First Congregational Church, Peace United Church of Christ, and Webster Groves Presbyterian Church hosted a march for Gun Violence Awareness.

The goal of the event was to elevate gun violence and prevention as an issue that our collective faith experiences call us to act upon, to raise awareness around the impact of gun violence (it's currently the leading cause of death for children in the US, and is 100% preventable), and to encourage people to advocate for common sense policies that improve community safety regarding gun violence (use of gun locks, red flag laws, assault weapon bans, universal/no loop hole background checks, etc.).

More than 300 people joined the march that started at Webster Groves Presbyterian Church and ended at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, where the Rev. Dr. Valori Mulvey Sherer welcomed the group and opened with prayer. Participants heard from mothers who lost children to gun violence, area youth involved in their school #WearOrange groups, advocacy groups such as Moms Demand Action, and St. Louis County Prosecutor, Wesley Bell. At both Webster Groves Presbyterian Church and Emmanuel Episcopal Church volunteers were available to help people learn more, take action, and sign petitions asking politicians for stricter gun laws.

Local news channel KMOV-TV reported on the day’s events at this link:
https://www.kmov.com/2023/06/05/st-louis-joins-nation-marching-end-gun-violence-after-weekend-shootings/