[Bonus Episode] Laying Down Our Weapons Part 2: How Churches Can Transform Guns into Garden Tools

Everyday Peacemaking

On April 3, 2023, we hosted a practical conversation about the steps that individuals and congregations can take to move the needle on gun violence. Shane Claiborne (Red Letter Christians) and Mike Martin (RAWtools) invited churches to become gun decommissioning sites in our cities. Pastor Amy Kasari (Antioch Church, Bend) shared her church’s journey toward that distinction.

On April 11, we continued this conversation. Mike Martin laid out the specific and very tangible steps toward becoming a gun decommissioning site. Pastor Amy offered more specifics and reflections on the formational journey she and her team have guided their congregation through in preparation for this work. And the moderator of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship’s Gun Prevention working group Jan Orr-Harter oriented us and offered an invitation to a five-week Guns to Garden Tools Action Circle.

Resources Mentioned:

• Guns to Gardens Action Circle: https://www.presbypeacefellowship.org/gun-violence/
• RAWtools Disarming Network to find a Disarming Location near you. These locations can help you legally and safely disable your gun: https://rawtools.org/swords-to-plowshares/#disarming-network
• Fear Not Curriculum to help churches develop a non-armed response to violence: https://mcc.org/fear-not-creating-plan-respond-active-violence
• A Loaded Conversation Curriculum to help churches talk about gun violence: https://mcc.org/media/resources/8279