NCC provides resources for churches to address gun violence and its aftermath.

“I have been inspired by the great outpouring of support and compassion I have seen in the faith community's response to the devastating shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School,” said Peg Birk, National Council of Churches transitional general secretary, in an NCC release this week. “From prayer vigils to pastoral care resources, and from moving sermons to the many, many prayers for the families and community in Newtown--the outpouring of God's love to this community through God's people has been hope fulfilled.”

The National Council of Churches is making a number of the response it has received to the Newtown tragedy available online, along with worship and action resources for churches to address gun violence and help parishioners deal with the aftermath of a tragedy that has affected the entire nation.

A sampling of the responses and prayers from member communions of the NCC is available at
www.ncccusa.org/sitemap/SHworshipresources.html.

Upcoming actions and resources on gun violence from NCC member churches is at
www.ncccusa.org/SHaction.html.

Another new resource made available through a joint effort of the NCC and the Presbyterian Church (USA) is the documentary film “Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence.” Produced by David Barnhart of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for the NCC, which distributes television programming through the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission, the film was released to NBC Television in mid-November for airing by network affiliate stations.

“Drawing upon conversations with lawmakers, emergency room chaplains and surgeons, survivors and victims' families, former ATF officials, police officers, community leaders and others, ‘Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence’ shares the story of how gun violence impacts individuals and communities and examines the ‘ripple effect’ that one shooting has on a survivor, a family, a community, and a society,” said the release. The film “also addresses the critical issue of gun violence prevention (such as keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill) by moving the conversation away from the polarizing extremes that have long dominated the debate and lifting up the voice and experiences of those who seek common ground and a new way forward.”

The NCC encourages church members to contact their local NBC affiliate station and ask that the documentary be aired in their area.

Source: 12/21/2012 Newsline Special