This Thursday: A Prayer Vigil to End Gun Violence

From St. Dunstan's Church

Three years ago we were shocked by the death of 26 people, most of them small children, at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut.

At that time many of us thought that something would have to be done, but nothing has changed.

Since then there have been 1,044 mass shootings, 1,327 people have died, and 3,784 have been wounded[1]. Shootings on college campuses are becoming so common that they could even become normal.

We cannot allow that to happen. We have to speak up. We have to do what we can to end gun violence. Towards that end St. Dunstan’s has formed a team to begin offering a weekly Prayer Vigil to End Gun Violence. 

We invite people of all faiths to join us.

The purpose of this prayer vigil is to keep the issue front and center in our awareness, to pray for inspiration and guidance, to inspire one another to act to effect change, and to offer prayer for the victims of gun violence.

Our hope is that we can create a space where everyone, from pacifists who would never touch a gun to gun collectors and gun enthusiasts, can come together to work towards the shared goal of ending gun violence. We will pray, engage in non-violent actions, and search for solutions to this plague afflicting our country.

The Prayer Vigil will last half an hour and will include music, prayer, conversation, and time for reflection. After the service there will be a time for conversation and sharing ideas. Our plan is to hold the vigil every week at the same time.

The Prayer Vigil to End Gun Violence will be on Thursday, June 16, at 7:00pm at St. Dunstan’s Church, 722 N 145th St. Shoreline.

Updated to correct date and time of vigil 06-15-2016