Blessed Are the Peacemakers…
Feb 13th: Gathering to End Gun Violence
Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God. -Matthew 5:9
I write this just days following the horrific and senseless shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and nineteen other people in Tucson, Arizona. I am numb! It seems that we are hearing about these types of terrible tragedies more and more frequently. What can we do?
As people of faith, we condemn violence and hatred. We grieve with the families of those whose lives are lost. We pray for victims who have been wounded. We sympathize with the family of the perpetrator and even try to understand why someone would take such violent action against another.
As people of faith we also need to do more. Recently a new organization has been founded in our northwest section of Philadelphia. The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown is one of among various faith organizations who have come together to form Neighborhood Partners To End Gun Violence. The purpose of this group is not about eliminating guns or even seeking legislative action but about reducing gun violence.
- Did you know that 30,000 people are killed by guns in the United States every year?
- Did you know that an average of five children are killed by guns accidentally or intentionally every day in the United States?
- Did you know that guns find their way onto our suburban and city streets when someone buys them for another person illegally?
On Sunday, February 13, from 4:00-6:00 p.m., at our church, there will be a gathering of Neighborhood Partners To End Gun Violence supporters. The event is called In Their Names: A Remembrance and Call to Action. Come and be among the supporters.
Let us be peacemakers and commit to reducing gun violence in our communities.
See you in church!
Nancy