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Several times in the past decade, we have spoken out about the proliferation of guns and gun violence. In 1994, we noted why this is of concern to people of faith.
Gun violence, especially handgun violence, has increasingly become a cause for alarm in our nation and state. As Christians, we especially are disturbed. The way of Christ is a way of peace, reconciliation, forgiveness, and love for enemies. The spirit of Christ is sharply opposed to the spirit of violence and the instruments of violence. It is also opposed to the law of retaliation or responding to injury with injury. Christ rejected the use of violence in the pursuit of his mission, and when one of the disciples drew his sword in defense of Jesus, the Lord said, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:51-53).
Gun Violence Prevention
The North Carolina Council of Churches is the primary convener of the N.C. Gun Violence Prevention Coalition. With our partners at North Carolinians Against Gun Violence (NCAGV), MomsRising, Moms Demand […]
Worship Resources on Gun Violence
Date: Proper 26 - Nov. 3, 2013
Topic: Gun Violence
Focus Text: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
What poverty of spirit causes Americans to so glorify their guns – in movies, on television, in video games, on the streets of our neighborhoods and in the halls of Congress? Where are the prophets who will condemn the religion of the second amendment which preaches a sacred right to own any and all kinds of firearms? Why are people of faith and conscience not protecting the sacred trust of children’s lives as vehemently as Congress protects the gun lobby? It is time for pastors, priests, rabbis, and imams to speak out against the blasphemy of gun violence.
Topic: Gun Violence
Focus Text: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
What poverty of spirit causes Americans to so glorify their guns – in movies, on television, in video games, on the streets of our neighborhoods and in the halls of Congress? Where are the prophets who will condemn the religion of the second amendment which preaches a sacred right to own any and all kinds of firearms? Why are people of faith and conscience not protecting the sacred trust of children’s lives as vehemently as Congress protects the gun lobby? It is time for pastors, priests, rabbis, and imams to speak out against the blasphemy of gun violence.
Executive Director Jennifer Copeland Receives Award from North Carolinians Against Gun Violence
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director of the North Carolina Council of Churches, and Beth Messersmith, North Carolina Campaign Director for MomsRising, received the 2017 Effie Steele Award from North Carolinians Against […]
Gun Bill Advances in GA; National Gun Violence Awareness Day is June 2
Consider the shame of the North Carolina General Assembly working to rush through a bill that weakens gun laws as National Gun Violence Awareness Day approaches. It is right up […]
Peacemaking Summit to Prevent Gun Violence
Gun Violence Prevention What You Can Do to Advocate for Change Join us for a Peacemaking Summit to raise awareness on what can be done to prevent gun violence and […]
Interfaith Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend, December 10-14
Faiths United Against Gun Violence and Washington National Cathedral are working together to have congregations and faith communities across the U.S. recognize December 10 through 14 as Gun Violence Prevention […]
Gun Violence Prevention and its Impact on Faith and Business Communities
ncchurches.org/event-single/gun-violence-prevention-and-its-impact-on-faith-and-business-communities
Join us, MomsRising, Action NC, and North Carolinians Against Gun Violence (NCGV) for a virtual town hall on gun violence prevention and the impact it has on faith and business […]
Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Gun Violence Prevention
The second annual Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Gun Violence Prevention is being organized by Wilmington Faiths Against Gun Violence in alliance with some thirty local faith communities and organizations, including […]
Gun Violence Prevention Consortium
In response to the recent uptick in gun violence in Durham, Moms Demand Action is holding a community meeting to explore how we, as a community, can end gun violence. […]
Council Posts Billboard about Gun Violence
On your drive along I-85/40 outside of Mebane, look for our billboard on the side of the road. It will go up this week and stay in place for the […]
Violence and Guns
Remarks delivered at the Community Conversation on Gun Violence on May 15, 2018 at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church. God knows that we are a violent people. It’s been this way […]
National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath — March 15-17
If ending gun violence were easy, nightmares like Sandy Hook would never happen. Young lives would not end on urban streets in a hail of bullets. We wouldn’t need to parse the […]
Gun Violence Prevention Summit
According to the American Public Health Association, gun violence has become a major public health issues in the United States. More than 85,000 people are affected by gun-related injuries per […]
Interfaith Call-In Day to Prevent Gun Violence Feb. 4
Gun violence has long been an issue of concern for the North Carolina Council of Churches. Every injury endured and life lost, whether on a downtown street corner or in […]
Candlelight Vigil Against Gun Violence
In commemoration of the second anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, as well as the 60,000 American victims of gun violence since December 2012, North Carolinians Against Gun […]
Gun Violence Prevention Summit
According to the American Public Health Association, gun violence has become a major public health issue in the United States. More than 85,000 people are affected by gun-related injuries per […]
Gun Violence and Public Health
New York City’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Mary Bassett, recently published a blog on the Huffington Post about Gun Violence as a public health issue. It is essential that we pay […]
Beyond Gun Violence: A Conference for People of Faith and Conscience About Ending America’s Deadly Epidemic
Join us one month from today for a weekend of preaching and teaching about the cost of gun violence to our nation and how we can bring about change. Speakers […]
Legislative Bulletin: Gun Violence Prevention
The North Carolina Council of Churches has spoken out about the proliferation of guns and gun violence for the last several decades. Check out our updated legislative bulletin that outlines […]
Candlelight Vigil Against Gun Violence
Commemorate the 32,000 lives that are lost every year to gun violence. Roughly once a week this year, on average, a small child has found a gun, pointed it at […]
2016 Gun Violence Awareness Day — Wear Orange
Join the Council, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and others for a Wear Orange event on the lawn at Bull McCabe’s on National Gun Violence Awareness Day. There […]
Gun Violence Prevention: The Work Goes On
The North Carolina Council of Churches has long cared about gun violence prevention — you would expect that from an organization that devotes much of its energy toward PEACE. A […]
The Path Beyond Gun Violence
For those of us who believe in a merciful God, days like this are particularly hard. The unimaginable violence in Oregon follows similar tragedies in South Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, […]
Call Legislative Leaders About Gun Measures
We will never know if George Zimmerman would ever have gotten out of his car if he hadn’t had a gun. We do know that countless children of God have […]
Candlelight Vigil Marks Losses to Gun Violence
Dozens of people gathered at Durham’s Judea Reform Congregation on the evening of December 10 to mark lives lost or forever changed by gun violence. Speakers shared personal stories and held […]
Vigil to End Gun Violence
This peaceful event organized by North Carolinians Against Gun Violence will be a great opportunity to reflect on the progress and losses of 2016, and reconnect with others who are […]
Extremism & Gun Violence: What are the Connections
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. Join us and coalition partners as we continue the conversation on gun violence safety and prevention. This event will open with a presentation describing the connections […]
Justice Center Crucial Conversation: Gun Violence
A year after the Charleston tragedy: Growing hope for saner anti-gun violence policies N.C. Policy Watch presents a special Crucial Conversation luncheon: Register here It’s been nearly a year since […]
Beyond Gun Violence
A weekend of preaching and teaching around the cost of gun violence to our nation and how we can bring about change. A schedule for the weekend can be found […]
Lectionary on Gun Violence
The horror of what has occurred in Connecticut is unimaginable, and the days ahead will be a test for all of us. The Council’s resources include a lectionary on gun […]
Interfaith Call-in Day to Prevent Gun Violence April 9
The National Council of Churches, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and others are sponsoring an Interfaith Call-in Day to ensure that the voices of faithful Americans are heard throughout […]
Gun Violence Prevention Summit
On November 15, 2018, we discussed solutions to gun violence at the state and national level with organizations throughout North Carolina. Join us again on Tuesday, January 15 from 10 […]
Raleigh Report – March 11, 2019
INTRODUCED BILLS GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION With the passing last month of the first anniversary of the shooting deaths of 17 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, the […]
Standing Together Against Gun Violence
Remarks from a June 2 press conference recognizing Wear Orange Against Gun Violence Day. Last fall, we at the NC Council of Churches, invited all the organizations we know who […]
Vetting the Vote: Gun Sanity
As if we need to be reminded of the preponderance of guns and gun-related violence on our streets, we’ve had served up for us in the closing days before the […]
Gun Control Advocates hold Memorial to Mark One-Year Anniversary of Ariz. Shooting
Raleigh News & Observer
A gathering on a hillside outside a church in West Raleigh late Sunday marked the one-year anniversary since a shooting in Tucson, Ariz., left a federal judge and five other people dead and 13 injured, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
Organizers used the occasion to highlight a shifting focus in what has been a decades-long effort to promote legislation aimed at limiting people's access to guns.
Instead, there is a growing focus on using churches and other faith-based efforts to promote a change in how the American culture views guns, they said. It's also an acknowledgement that work in legislatures across the country have been met with resistance to many anti-gun measures.
Moving Beyond Gun Violence
Two weeks ago I flew to Florida for a national gathering of state ecumenical leaders and a few days later I flew home. In between my landing and leaving, in […]
U.S. Senate Expected to Take Up Gun Legislation
Next week, the United States Senate is expected to take up legislation intended to curb gun violence. Given recent mass atrocities at the hands of gunmen along with the daily loss […]
Vigil Against Gun Violence, December 10 in Durham
As Rob Schofield at NC Policy Watch pointed out earlier this week, the situation around gun violence in this country may feel hopeless, but it’s not. Rob writes: ….there is reason […]
Questions You Asked: Further Conversations on Domestic Violence, Social Justice, and Faith Webinar
Last month the Council co-sponsored a webinar entitled, “Uncovering the Roots of Violence: New Perspectives on Domestic Violence, Social Justice, and Faith.” The webinar brought together three anti-violence activists to […]
Vigil to End Gun Violence
Come together with others to remember the half a million Americans killed or injured by guns since the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy. Hundreds of events are being held at locations […]
Action Needed Before Monday Night on Guns in Places of Worship
Our friends at North Carolinians Against Gun Violence have issued the alert below. Please note that it requires action before this evening, Monday, March 27. _________________________________________________________________________ We are continuing to […]
NAACP, Council of Churches gather for prayer, call for end to gun violence
Community partners are calling on gun owners to secure their firearms in response to Thursday’s mass shooting. Watch the press conference:
Policy Statement on Domestic Violence
The scriptures instruct us to love one another – to create mutually respectful relationships in which there is shared responsibility, negotiation and fairness, trust and support, honesty and accountability. When violence is present in a relationship, it is a violation against the image of God in which we all have been created. Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior that one person uses to gain and maintain power and control over an intimate partner or ex-partner. This behavior includes sexual abuse, physical abuse, and emotional abuse (a form of which is economic coercion).
Let Us Reason Together — Vigil Against Gun Violence 12/10
December 10, 7 p.m. Judea Reform Congregation 1933 West Cornwallis Road, Durham The NC Council of Churches, partnering with North Carolinians Against Gun Violence and the League of Women Voters, […]
‘Grins and Glocks’: Wake Forest orthodontist offers free gun with Invisalign treatment
As part of a promotion, Gladwell Orthodontics and Youngsville Gun Club & Range are giving certain customers their pick between a Silver membership at the Youngsville Gun Club & Range […]
Violence, Harassment, and Discrimination against Gay Men and Lesbians
Violence cannot be ignored by those who stand in the prophetic tradition of justice and peace and in the gospel tradition of Jesus Christ, who came “to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Violence is evil. Intolerance cannot be tolerated. Silence and passivity by the churches allow hostility, and are unfaithful responses to the Christian gospel. Justice, respect, and freedom must be claimed and pursued for all persons in the service of the justice and peace of God’s sovereignty in history.
Stand-Up Sabbath Against Gun Violence, June 17-19
According to the news reports, it all started over a place on a pew. One parishioner sat in someone else’s spot and then objected to moving. Another flashed his legally […]
N.C. Council of Churches advocates for gun violence prevention
After tragedies like the Hedingham mass shooting in Raleigh, people often turn to their faith for answers and healing. Members of the North Carolina Council of Churches have over 6,200 […]
Guns in Bars and Restaurants Before Subcommittee on March 20
The folks at North Carolinians Against Gun Violence have called House Bill 17 a “Recipe for Disaster.” That about sums it up. This is the bill that would allow anyone […]
Vigil to End Gun Violence
This is my favorite time of the year. I’m a sap about all of it. I love decorating the house, seeing the lights downtown, the music, getting cozy with a […]
Too Many Victims — Gun Violence Vigil on January 8
As part of the national “Too Many Victims” campaign, there will be a vigil in Raleigh on Sunday, January 8. That day is the one-year anniversary of the Tucson shootings, which […]
Domestic Violence Awareness and Support
Support for impacted individuals of domestic violence is crucial, especially within faith communities, where individuals may turn to their religious leaders for guidance and support during times of crisis. Recognizing […]
No More of This
Remarks from Jennifer Copeland at the Vigil to End Gun Violence in Durham on December 13, 2019 About two years ago, the North Carolina Council of Churches paid for a […]
Tragic Combination: Guns and Mental Illness
Let’s hope this isn’t the case, but recent history suggests that President Obama is not done with a duty that surely is among the most difficult and heart-wrenching aspects of […]
Staying Sane: Gun Laws that Work
The Mother Emanuel, Charleston, SC, shooting was four years ago today, June 17. The N.C. General Assembly Senate Judiciary Committee will consider Senate Bill 90 tomorrow, June 18. A favorable […]
Scrutiny for Gun Laws, Post-Charleston
Their timing, as it turned out, was less than impeccable. The gun-rights boosters who are pushing N.C. House Bill 562 ran up against some common-sense objections that resulted in two main […]
Action Alert: May 31, 2017 — GA May Act on Guns
As was feared, some members of the General Assembly may be bringing back legislation that would roll back existing gun safety laws. A version of the previously introduced H.B. 746 […]
Proper 26, Year C
The school year of 2006 began rather quietly as most school years do. But on August 30th, a boy with a gun walked into a high school in Hillsborough, NC, and the new school year was marked by violence.
Little did we know that this August 30th shooting at a North Carolina high school would be a harbinger of a national spate of school shootings. The young shooter in Hillsborough had a deadly plan and a number of guns; after killing his father he shot and wounded a student at a nearby high school.
Raleigh Report-Gun Bills Flood In
Gun bills that extend the availability and use of guns flood the General Assembly.
Law expands concealed carry rights in churches
At the beginning of December, a new law expanded allowing people to carry concealed guns in North Carolina. State law now allows people to conceal carry in churches that share […]
Faith, Hope, and Healing: #Every1KnowsSome1
Have you seen the trending #Every1KnowsSome1 for domestic violence awareness? It may surprise you to think you know someone. Or maybe you think you are the only one? In truth, […]
1 in 6 North Carolina counties have more gun dealers than mental health providers
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) — While the country recovers from two mass shootings in 10 days, the national conversation is turning to two topics: gun access and mental health. In a […]
Screening of “Making a Killing — Guns, Greed, and the NRA”
This movie tells the stories of how guns, and the billions in profit they provide affect the lives of everyday Americans. The film shows how gun companies and the NRA resist legislation […]
JR x TIME: Guns in America Screening and Discussion
Join us at 21c Durham for an open discussion about gun ownership in America. Award-winning artist JR and TIME Magazine have created a video mural with interviews from people with […]
Donate
Donate Online Now If you would like to donate using a donor-advised Fund, see below. Spring 2023 Medicaid expansion is about to become a reality in North Carolina, confederate monuments […]
Hours after Michigan shooting, North Carolina Republicans advance bills to loosen state gun laws
GOP lawmakers have passed similar legislation expanding gun access in past legislative sessions. This time, they might have the votes to override the governor’s veto. Hours after three students at […]
You Shall Not Make an Idol
The following remarks were delivered by Executive Director, Jennifer Copeland, during one of the four gun violence prevention vigils that occurred across North Carolina on April 24, 2022. The following […]
Guns, Medicaid, Gridlock
It can’t have escaped many folks’ notice – even those, bless their hearts, for whom the really big news involves the onset of football season – that our political systems […]
Guns, Medicaid, Gridlock
It can’t have escaped many folks’ notice – even those, bless their hearts, for whom the really big news involves the onset of football season – that our political systems […]
Gun Violence Prevention: New Web Page, Stand Up Sabbath
NC advocates in orange at the General Assembly last year. Photo provided by Beth Messersmith, NC Campaign Director, MomsRising. Less than a month ago, our middle son sat with his classmates under […]
Guns on Campus Are a Bad Idea
Two of the most volatile elements on a college campus are alcohol and hormones. These ingredients contribute to sexual assault (23.1 percent of female and 5.4 percent of male undergraduates), […]
Press Conference in Response to Raleigh Mass Shooting
The following remarks were delivered by Eco-Justice Connection Director, Susannah Tuttle, during a gun violence prevention press conference on October 14, 2022, in response to the recent Raleigh mass shooting. […]
NC Council of Churches Supports National Groups to Assist the Less Fortunate
In keeping with its mission of supporting peace, unity and social justice, the Council recently has signed on to three letters involving issues being addressed at the federal level. We […]
No to SB 43
The following remarks were delivered by Executive Director, Jennifer Copeland, on January 5, 2021 at a Gun Violence Prevention press conference. View the live stream here. When individual rights are at […]
Raleigh Report – February 25, 2013
Attacks on Struggling North Carolinians Advance Medicaid Coverage Unemployment Insurance Earned Income Tax Credit Fracking Moratorium Gun Violence Raise the Age Refusing to Extend Medicaid Coverage SB 4, which would […]
The Threat is not from Immigrants and Refugees
The Council has had a busy weekend. Much of the staff was helping with the Beyond Gun Violence Conference at United Church of Chapel Hill, but we also had folks […]
Believing in Goodness and Mercy After a Very Hard Week
It has been a difficult week for anyone who lives from a place of compassion. For people of faith who believe in a kind and loving God and who may […]
Update — GA Takes Up Dangerous Gun Law, June 7
Representatives in the General Assembly are scheduled to take up H.B. 746 this afternoon. Calls are still needed against this bill. As our friends at NC Policy Watch reported, the […]
Our Unceasing Prayer Must Be for Peace
The tragedy of gun violence in this country seems unending. We pray for those impacted, whether in a South Carolina church two years ago, a Florida club one year ago, […]
The Fierce Urgency of Now
Martin Luther King Jr.’s phrase “the fierce urgency of now,” articulated in his 1967 sermon, “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence”, is more relevant now than ever. Although the […]
In the Face of Violence
Today, Friday, August 18, 2017, South Main in Durham, NC, is closed to traffic. Civil employees have been sent home. Some banks and many businesses in the downtown area have […]
Statement Condemning Violence Against our Jewish Neighbors
The North Carolina Council of Churches represents 18 denominations statewide among which are congregations large and small, urban and rural, multicultural and multi-ethnic. Today we stand in solidarity with our […]
The Second Commandment
When the news broke about the North Carolina Council of Churches billboard suggesting a connection between guns and idolatry, responses ran from, “Thank you for naming the truth,” to “How […]
Be an Ally: Support the Council
Without the support of individuals, the work of the Council could not continue as it exists today. Your donation helps us be an ally to the “othered” whether that’s immigrants, […]
Program List – App
Christian Unity Farmworkers Food Gun Violence Prevention Health Care Reform Immigrant Rights NC Interfaith Power & Light Legislative Advocacy – Raleigh Report Partners in Health & Wholeness
Legislative Bulletin: Torture and North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper faces many important challenges in making North Carolina a just, prosperous state. We commend his support for expanding health coverage, ending gun violence, and preserving voting rights. One challenge […]
Father Michael Lapsley — Durham
Father Michael Lapsley speaks on the aftermath of violence and ways forward for wounded individuals and a wounded society. Father Michael, a social justice activist, Anglican priest, and chaplain to South […]
Advent Worship Resources on Peace
Date: Advent 1 - Dec. 1, 2013
Topic: Peace
Focus Text: Isaiah 2:1-5
To take Isaiah’s words to heart is to envision a world without hunger, poverty, war, violence, or fear. The prophet’s oracle challenges our endless pursuit for bigger and better weapons, the perpetuation of hatred and violence, the ever-widening gap between the rich and poor, and our insatiable appetite for more resources and power.
Topic: Peace
Focus Text: Isaiah 2:1-5
To take Isaiah’s words to heart is to envision a world without hunger, poverty, war, violence, or fear. The prophet’s oracle challenges our endless pursuit for bigger and better weapons, the perpetuation of hatred and violence, the ever-widening gap between the rich and poor, and our insatiable appetite for more resources and power.
Response to the Violence in Charlottesville
Before I came to call the great state of North Carolina home, I was a proud Virginian for the first twenty-six years of my life. I grew up in a […]
What More Can Be Said?
Powerful voices have long narrated the story of guns in America. The media. The NRA. Outraged, livid, grief-stricken mothers and fathers. When it comes to the horror of mass shootings, […]
Raleigh Report – February 1, 2013
After a one-day organizational meeting in early January, the 2013 General Assembly convened in earnest last Wednesday. Bills introduced and advanced during these first two days give a taste of things to come. Note especially the bills affecting the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, weakening the benefits of unemployment insurance, and extending the presence of guns.
The NRA Takes Aim at Latinos
In a recent column for the Daily Caller, Wayne LaPierre – the official spokesman for the NRA and a recent witness in Congress – urges his readers to buy more […]
Pray for Orlando, Pray for Us All
In the coming days, there will be many questions about the who and why of the devastating tragedy in Orlando. What is not in question is how. Another hate-filled rampage […]
2010 Session Wrap-Up
Yesterday was the deadline for Governor Perdue to sign or veto bills passed by the General Assembly in the last weeks of the session. Interestingly, yesterday she let a bill become law without her signature.
Also in this Raleigh Report: Domestic Violence, Environment, Gambling, and more.
The Rotten Fruit of Hatred
The past few weeks and months have been filled with a lot of hatred. Innocent people have been killed while trying to go about their daily lives, whether that be […]
Post-Charlottesville: What Trump Said, and When
When President Trump stepped to a White House lectern on Monday and rebuked the instigators of the deadly violence in Charlottesville, Va., that had erupted two days before, he was […]
Statement on the Shootings in Charleston
With people across the world, the North Carolina Council of Churches grieves with the congregation of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC. This kind of violence against people […]