Year of Faithful Witness was our Commission’s first big diocesan undertaking! Beginning in September 2018, we wrapped this program in November 2019. The goal of Faithful Witness was to provide a sustained and consistent focus on gun violence across the diocese on the congregational level. Our original program proposal and overview is below.
Our original goal was to work with 10-12 churches. As of November 2019, we have partnered with over 20 congregations in our Diocese!
Purpose: The overarching purpose of this program is to contribute to the larger movement to effectively address and end gun violence. No small feat!
This program will build toward our overarching purpose by:
- raising awareness and conversation around the reality of gun violence
- providing ongoing engagement instead of responding only in the aftermath of tragedies
- motivating/empowering individuals and communities of faith to commit to action
- identifying how to bring about change for gun regulations and culture
- inviting people to explore and articulate justice commitments from a place of faith
We also believe this program will construct and refine a model that could be used in the diocese and by similar committees here and elsewhere.
Our committee grounds this program in our mission to be known as a community of faith committed to addressing gun violence, as a part of our greater witness of justice and peace for all people in the name of Jesus Christ. We also seek to come to know others who are committed to this shared mission to end gun violence.
Why one year? No issue is “fixed” overnight, especially an issue as complicated and potentially divisive as gun violence. We need ongoing places and programming for people in the diocese (and wider community) to engage this issue and build authentic relationships with one another that are required for any real and lasting change.
We think of this program as a drumbeat, consistently present and moving us towards an end to gun violence.
What will the program “do”? The main goal of Faithful Witness is to create and mobilize a broad, connected, supportive and sustained network across the diocese around the issue of gun violence. To be the drumbeat for our diocese — steady and persistent — in order to bring about effective and long-term change. We ground this in our witness of justice and peace for all of God’s people through Jesus Christ.
How will we do this? From September 2018 through November 2019, our committee will work with 10-12 congregations to serve as hosts for the Faithful Witness program. Host congregations install Heeding God’s Call Memorial to the Lost on their campus and hold 1-2 community events to engage the congregation as well as other congregations in the deanery and the wider surrounding community. The AGV committee would coordinate and facilitate these events. Our committee will work with these congregations by engaging our various partners, including CeaseFirePA, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, Bishops Against Gun Violence, and Heeding God’s Call.
Each congregation’s experience will be based on their context, but all will share three features:
AWARENESS – Hosting a memorial to the lost: This is an easy and effective way to raise awareness and generate curiosity, for both the congregation and larger community.
EDUCATION – Offering 1-2 education/formation programs around gun violence: One session focuses on the issue (facts, relevant legislation, PA/Philadelphia region context) and another focuses on how to be in conversation with one another, our own story around gun violence, and a faithful response. Organized/facilitated by the Diocesan Anti-Gun Violence Committee with support as needed from our partners
Open to other congregations, the larger community
COMMITMENT – Debriefing with the the Anti-Gun Violence committee: Prayerfully discerning next steps in the congregation’s commitment to addressing gun violence; identifying members of the congregation who may feel called to join the AGV committee.
The roles of a host congregation includes:
- Designating a contact person/liaison to coordinate with AGV committee (clergy or lay)
- Having Heeding God’s Call Memorial to the Lost on your campus – $250 donation encouraged for Heeding’s maintaining of installation year-to-year
- Opening your doors for 1-2 community events; potentially providing food/drinks
- Lifting up the program in communications; making it a priority for your congregation
