National teleconference on gun violence is held today by NCC.

The National Council of Churches (NCC) invites participation today in a "common witness on eliminating gun violence" through a Sept. 23 National Teleconference for Prayer and Action. The call-in event this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. (eastern) is planned for clergy and lay leaders in the member denominations of the NCC.

The teleconference is to "discuss some of the work we can do together on this crucial issue," said a letter to denominational leaders from general secretary Michael Kinnamon and NaKeisha S. Blount, Washington policy advocacy officer for Racial Justice and Human Rights.

The teleconference follows on a resolution on gun violence adopted by the NCC Governing Board this summer ( www.ncccusa.org/NCCpolicies/gunviolence.pdf ). In July, the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board endorsed the NCC resolution and encouraged church members to engage in action on the issue.

Citing John 14:27 and Matthew 22:39, invitations to the teleconference state, in part, "As Christians striving to emulate the model of the Prince of Peace, we cannot avoid the painful truth that we live in an increasingly violent world. Every day in our nation, guns are being used to destroy lives. Gun violence affects all of us; but, African-Americans and Latinos are disproportionately impacted. To remain silent as so many of our neighbors suffer the effects of gun violence would abdicate our commitment to the gospel."

The NCC also has a letter to local congregations describing actions they can join in immediately. Suggestions include taking direct action against irresponsible gun sellers in partnership with organizations like Heeding God’s Call ( www.heedinggodscall.org ), and helping to close the gun show loophole. "While federal law requires licensed gun sellers to perform criminal background checks on everyone they sell a gun to," the letter explains, "a gap in federal law currently permits private sellers, who often congregate at gun shows, to sell guns without background checks or recordkeeping of any kind."

To participate in the teleconference go to www.ncccusa.org/endinggunviolence.html.

Source: 9/23/2010 Newsline