Thank you to all the faith communities who joined us, in ways large and small, for End Gun Violence Sabbath during Nov. 15-17, 2019. We’ve heard great reports from across the state about the Sabbath events that were held!
Lincoln City held a rally for Ending Gun Violence with 20 participants, receiving very positive responses from the public. The JPAT (Just Peace Action Team) that sponsored the event even got local news coverage for their demonstration.
In Portland, Temple Beth Israel invited Penny Okamoto, Executive Director of Ceasefire Oregon, to give the evening message.
Augustana Lutheran Church marked End Gun Violence Sabbath in all three services, with testimony from youth and gun violence survivors, and a paper chain representing people killed by guns, which enwrapped the altar.
In Medford, the United Church of Christ prayed for ending gun violence, and their Justice & Peace Team is starting plans for a public witness.
At Portland Mennonite, Pastor Stafford preached on the addiction to guns in our country, EMO staff member Audrey Zunkel-deCoursey shared updates on the Lift Every Voice Oregon campaign, and they sang “If we just talk of thoughts and prayers.”
West Portland United Methodist Church handed out orange awareness ribbons and placed a memorial table.
Congregations statewide heard special sermons, used the Sabbath worship bulletin insert, and lifted up prayers for an end to the gun violence plaguing our communities.
Thanks again for your work for peace and justice. In coming months, as we move forward a voter initiative to regulate assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, we will need your support. There are concrete steps our state can take to save lives, and our kids deserve nothing less. We’re on the road together, and together we will go so far!
Rev. Audrey Zunkel-deCoursey
Criminal Justice Program Manager, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
