August 2026 Report
This fall, the Gun Violence Prevention Mission will begin an educational campaign focused on distributing a flyer called "Ten Tips to Protect Your Family and Community from Gun Violence." This convenient palm card succinctly presents practical things each of us can do to help keep our kids safe and helps prevent suicides and unintentional shootings. This is a perfect handout to include in a Sunday bulletin, to make part of your back-to-school activities, or to distribute at a Trunk or Treat event in October. Other opportunities to bring up gun violence prevention are SMART Week from August 24 to 28, and National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September. If you would like some of these palm cards to distribute at your church, please email gunsafety@diocesemo.org.
September 2026 Report
The Gun Violence Prevention Mission has a new educational campaign for the fall. We have gathered useful information about gun safety into a palm card called “Ten Tips to Protect your Family and Community from Gun Violence.” It is packed with practical steps you can take to protect your loved ones. It is available to any parish that would like to distribute them among your parishioners or through community outreach. It’s a great item to share at a food pantry or a little library, or to take to a PTA meeting. They are also a great addition to a trunk or treat event this fall. Also, September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, which is a perfect reason to share them next month. If you would like some to share, please email gunsafety@diocesemo.org to make your request, and we will get them to you. Also, the Rev. Meghan Ryan will have them at September’s Clergy Conference for anyone in attendance. Thanks for whatever you can do to share our message of gun violence prevention in our communities!
About The Mission for Gun Violence Prevention
Gun violence impacts the lives of every community within the Diocese of Missouri. We have seen a steady rise in the level of gun violence that goes well beyond the heartbreaking increase in mass shootings. As followers of Jesus, we are charged with building Beloved Community, a community in which everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger, violence, and hate.
The Mission for Gun Violence Prevention seeks to equip members of the Diocese of Missouri to advocate for changes in gun policy on the local and state level while offering opportunities for formation and education on the impact of gun violence on communities. The Mission also invites members of the Diocese and the broader communities of faith in our area to gather in vigil to honor those who have been lost to gun violence. We also promote visibility through Wear Orange events.
The Co-Missioners for Gun Violence Prevention are Janet Hyde, who focuses on education, and Jeff Wunrow, who focuses on advocacy. They lead a team of Parish Representatives in monthly meetings to talk about their shared mission. The Rev. Meghan Ryan, Rector of St. Timothy’s in Creve Couer, is our former Missioner and is still committed to the liturgical work within our parishes. You can reach any of the leaders at gunsafety@diocesemo.org.
The missioner's responsibilities include:
- The creation of a Council of Advice along with naming associate missioners to assist in carrying out their duties.
- Provide theological, scriptural, liturgical, and foundational resources for this ongoing work: lament, advocacy, and education.
- Provide responses in conjunction with the Bishop.
- Provide resources to communities of faith within the Diocese around advocating and acting on the behalf of the unhoused, oppressed, and marginalized.
- Provide opportunities for preaching and teaching in communities of faith that make up the Diocese.
- Submit an annual report to the Diocesan Convention.
- Plan the Diocesan Gun Violence Vigil in December with the Bishop and other community leaders.
Gun Violence Prevention Parish Representatives
- Janet Thompson – Calvary Episcopal Church, Columbia
- Diane Chalberg and Lore Gross, Christ Church Cathedral
- Bob Crecelius – Christ Episcopal Church, Cape Girardeau
- Lisa Will-Smith – Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Webster Groves
- Machelle West – Episcopal Church of All Saints and Ascension, Northwoods
- Bill Wallace – Episcopal Church of St. Michael and St. George, Clayton
- Tony Ortiz – Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross, Poplar Bluff
- Greg Barnett, Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Lake St. Louis
- Julie Heise – Grace Episcopal Church, Jefferson City
- Betty Bowersox – Grace Episcopal Church, Kirkwood
- John Richards – St. John’s Episcopal Church, Tower Grove
- Jim Harris – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Carondelet
- Janet Hyde – St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Creve Coeur
- Rev. Meghan Ryan – St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Creve Coeur
- Tricia and Carlos Daughaday, Trinity Episcopal Church, Central West End