Category Archives: Activism

I just can’t …

I can’t stop thinking about the children.  And their parents.   Seeking asylum together in the United States.   Arriving at the border when immediately, suddenly, maliciously, and with devious intent,  children and parents are separated from each other.  This is happening … Continue reading

Posted in Activism, Children, Families Belong Together, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Guns in Churches?

As to guns being our protection:  A church looks to God as our ultimate source of protection.   As to wearing a gun in church even as we are passing the peace with others in the pews: As a follower of Jesus – as a Christian — I am called to a standard of loving my neighbor – a definition of neighbor that includes even my enemies.  It will take my lifetime to meet that standard.  If you are a Christian, you join me in that lifetime of work.  If we believe – and we legislate – that we can only safely interact with other people if we arm ourselves against them, we will never get even get close to that standard. Continue reading

Posted in Activism, Christian, Concealed Carry Guns, Ending Gun Violence, God Before Guns, Grief, gun safety, gun violence, Loss of Child, open carry guns, Pastoral Ministry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Stay Woke …

My response to the Las Vegas shootings and how people of faith must respond to the issue of gun violence in our country.

Posted in Activism, Ending Gun Violence, God Before Guns, gun safety, gun violence, open carry guns, Pastoral Ministry, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

A pulpit response to Charlottesville …

If I’d had more time between Sunday morning and the horror of Saturday in Charlottesville, I would have said some hints differently.  Here is my effort, raw and unedited.  You can see my pain on my face.  I’m wearing my … Continue reading

Posted in Activism, Charlottesville, Christian, Ending Gun Violence, God Before Guns, Grief, gun violence, LGBTQ, Loss of Child, open carry guns, Racism, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Tears and lamenting. Laughter and celebration. All while wearing orange …

Early in the week when we were nervously checking the weather for God Before Guns’ 4th annual Walk & Rally, there was a 100% chance of rain for the duration of the event.  By Friday, there was not a cloud … Continue reading

Posted in Activism, Black Lives Matter, Children, Ending Gun Violence, gun safety, gun violence, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

When Mother’s Day is difficult for you ….

It is for me.   I managed to avoid preaching on Mother’s Day for several years until this year. This link will take you to the video of what I had to say.   Maybe the day would be better … Continue reading

Posted in Activism, Children, Ending Gun Violence, God Before Guns, Grandparents, Grief, gun violence, LGBTQ, Loss of Child, Mothers Day, Pastoral Ministry, Racism, Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

Is this your neighborhood, Grandma?

I’ve chosen to focus my work on ending gun violence. There’s not a neighborhood in America that has not been affected. If you want to join me in that work, just let me know. But there are plenty of other issues affecting neighborhoods and I urge you to pick one. Expand your concept of neighborhood and get busy. Somewhere. Soon. Today. Continue reading

Posted in Activism, Ending Gun Violence, God Before Guns, Grandparents, gun safety, gun violence, LGBTQ, Loss of Child, Moms Demand Action, Multi-cultural, open carry guns, Racism, Retirement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

A safe space for all those with heavy hearts …..

Those were the words inviting us to a Prayer Vigil for Orlando at our neighborhood church, South Euclid United Church of Christ.  It was a quiet and reflective time to be together in our shock and grief and outrage over … Continue reading

Posted in Activism, Ending Gun Violence, God Before Guns, Grief, gun safety, gun violence, LGBT, LGBTQ, Moms Demand Action, open carry guns, Racism | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

About to be in a new place …

Work in the gun violence movement can be a series of starts and stops. Times of exciting momentum and stretches of what can seem like standing still.    GVP activists often say that this is a marathon, not a sprint.  … Continue reading

Posted in Activism, Ending Gun Violence, God Before Guns, gun safety, gun violence, Loss of Child, Moms Demand Action, open carry guns, Racism, Sandy Hook Elementary, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Stolen Years. Part 2

By my own rough estimate, our country lost at least 350 years of life in an hour last Thursday. What their families lost is incalculable. Continue reading

Posted in Activism, Concealed Carry Guns, God Before Guns, Grief, gun safety, gun violence, Loss of Child, Moms Demand Action, open carry guns | Tagged | Leave a comment