A Call to Action Around Gun Reform

Please scroll to the 8:28:45 mark of the video to hear Rev. Keri Cress’s powerful story.

On Monday, March 27, 2023, six people–three adults and three nine-year-old children–were killed in a mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. The TWK Conference joins with the larger Nashville community in mourning these senseless deaths.

As United Methodists, we are people of prayer y action. Now is the time we must follow the leading of God’s Spirit and take a stand on the side of human life and flourishing. We must join in the broader movement demanding gun reform–now!

To that end, we are calling on United Methodists throughout the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference to join together in a continued letter-writing campaign. We are writing our elected officials at the state and federal levels, advocating for swift and meaningful gun reform legislation to be passed.

UMC General Board of Church & Society | Articles & Letter Templates

Gun Violence Prevention

Information on Special Session being called

Take Action: United Methodist Call to End Gun Violence

How to Connect with Legislators

We encourage you to write letters, call, email, ask to meet with your representatives.

Letter Writing

Write in your own your own voice, out of your own experiences, emotions, and context. If you are in the state of Tennessee, talk about the importance of the Special Session on (8.21), if you are in Kentucky, please highlight the importance of common-sense gun safety. View these sample letters for examples of language you may use.

Many churches have had success setting up a table outside of their sanctuary. Bring blank sample letters and allow for church members to complete. Then, have a designated person mail-in these letters. Children can be engaged too! Bring crayons and paper for them to write to their representatives too. See what EEUMC has done.

Call

Call your representatives and express how you feel regarding the special session. For those in Kentucky, let your representative know how you feel about extreme risk protection orders (ERPO). Often when calling a representative’s office you will be asked to leave a message or speak to their staff. If you speak to a member of the staff simply tell them that you are interested in common sense gun reform or gun safety.