Reclaiming The Gospel of Peace

How churches can work to stem gun violence

Over 300 Episcopalians came together in Oklahoma City in April 2014 to renew their commitment to the Gospel call to make peace in a world of violence. Through deep conversation, prayer, and skill building the event empowered the Episcopal Church to address violence and reclaim its role in society as workers for nonviolence and peace.

This book is one of the outcomes of that event - resources to help dioceses, congregations, and individuals reclaim the Gospel message of peace for our society. Divided into four sections - Proclaim: The Gospel, Sustain: The Witness, Reclaim: The Response and Our Prayers - topics are offered in the areas of advocacy, education, liturgy, and pastoral care that our Church can use to address the culture of violence within and outside of the Church, the reader will hear the Gospel proclaimed through personal stories of witness from key leaders in the Church today, including Justin Welby, Katharine Jefferts Schori, Bishop Ed Konieczny, Eugene Sutton, Mark Beckwith, Kay Collier McLaughlin, James Michael Dowd, Matthew Ellis, and others.

Topics include: systemic/root cause of violence, suicide/mental health, hate crimes, gang violence, race and violence, advocacy, gun violence, bullying, gender-based violence, and non-violence. Reflection questions follow each chapter with a comprehensive study guide for group use included.

Foreword – Mark M. Beckwith
Introduction – Sharon Ely Pearson

Part One: Proclaim: The Gospel1. Choose Vulnerability – Caitlin Celella
2: Why Are We Here? – Edward J. Konieczny
3: Challenging the Mythology of Violence – Eugene Taylor Sutton
4. Why Gun Violence is a Religious Problem – Gary R. Hall
5. Custody of the Heart – Katharine Jefferts Schori
6. The Binding of Isaac – Allison S. Liles

Part Two: Sustain: The Witness7. What Shall We Do? – Mariann Edgar Budde
8. Render Our Hearts Open – Kathleen Adams Shepherd
9. The Unruly Wills and Affections of Sinners – Gary R. Hall
10. Put Your Sword Back Into Its Place – Mark Bozzuti-Jones
11. The Way of Life and Peace: The Church’s Advocacy against Violence – Alexander D. Baumgarten
12. Swords into Plowshares And Arms into Art: A Practical Theology of Transformation and Witness – James E. Curry
13. Your Hand in Mine – Roger Hutchison
14. Rest from Anger – Stephen C. Holton

Part Three: Reclaim: The Response15. The Prophetic Response to Violence – Justin Welby
16. There Are Ways to Prevent This – Mariann Edgar Budde
17. Gun Laws Save Lives – Daniel W. Webster
18. B-PEACE for Jorge: A Diocesan-Wide Anti-Violence Campaign – Julia MacMahon
19. Respecting the Dignity of Those Impacted by Intimate Partner Violence – Robin Hammeal-Urban
20. Talking Peace: Learning and Telling Biblical Stories of Peace – Dina McMullin Ferguson
21. Holy Conversations – Kay Collier McLaughlin
22. The Episcopal Church’s Legislative Response – Executive Council and General Convention Resolutions
23. PeaceMeals: Connecting with Gun Shops – Bill Exner
24. Inspiring Mission – Wendy Johnson, Beth Crow, and Cookie Cantwell

Part Four: Pray: The Work25. Prayers and Liturgies
26. Anointed for Peace: A Service of Healing and Hope

Part Five: Engage: The Next Steps27. Action Guide
28. Rights, Respect, and Responsibilities – Eric H. F. Law
29. Annotated Bibliography and Resource List