Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend

December 14 marks the 4th Annual National Vigil for All Gun Violence Victims will be held in Washington, D.C. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. On this date in 2012, the Newtown tragedy occurred with the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Local vigils and commemorations will then be held across the nation from December 14-18th for the 4th Sabbath weekend. Congregations from coast to coast will participate – offering prayers, songs, and education. They will remember those who have lost their lives to gunfire, pray for those whose lives have been forever changed because of gun related injuries or the loss of a loved one, and educate one another on proven strategies to reduce gun violence.

Spearheaded by Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence (a coalition of more than 50 national denominations and faith-based organizations), the Newtown Foundation, States United to Prevent Gun Violence, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and Organizing for Action, this 2016 weekend builds on the success of last year’s 3rd annual National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend during which 500 local events were held in 46 states and the District of Columbia.

You can learn more about this initiative, find denominational resources and see how your faith community can get involved at http://www.decembersabbath.org/.
Denominational materials are available for:

  • Christianity
  • Judaism
  • Islam
  • Hinduism
  • Sikh
  • Universalist
  • Buddhism

Also see this great resource called Grounded in Faith: Resources on Mental Health and Gun Violence created in 2013.