Speaking Up and Out Against Gun Violence

Across denominations and faiths, we have come together to speak out against gun violence and to call for meaningful change from our leaders. We enter this season of peace heartbroken by what our nation has lost and continues to lose on a daily basis. But we also enter this time committed to a better way, a safer path, and a true solution.

By adding our names to the NC Council of Churches’ sign-on statement we are affirming the words:

A heavily armed society is not a safe society. Ordinary citizens possessing semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines of ammunition do not advance personal security. Hiding our fears behind guns does not protect us from violence.

The time for prayer is now. But it is also the time for action.

Leadership of our member bodies who have signed:

•        The Right Rev. Porter Taylor, Bishop, Diocese of Western North Carolina, Episcopal Church

•        The Rev. Dr. William (Bill) Reinhold, Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of Coastal Carolina

•        The Rev. John M. Richardson, Regional Minister, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina

•        The Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson, Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches

•        The Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Executive Director, MCC Churches Global Justice Institute

•        The Rev. Haywood T. Gray, Ex. Secretary & Treasurer, General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

•        The Right Rev. Kenneth Monroe, Presiding Bishop, Central NC Annual Conference, AME Zion Church

•        The Rev. Duane Beck, Bishop, Eastern Carolina District, Mennonite Church, USA

•        The Right Rev. Darryl B. Starnes, Sr., Presiding Bishop, Albemarle Conference, AME Zion Church

•        The Right Rev. W. Darin Moore, Presiding Bishop, North Carolina Conference, AME Zion Church

•        The Right Rev. Roy A. Holmes, Presiding Bishop, Cape Fear Conference, AME Zion Church (also of the New England Conference, which includes Connecticut)

•        The Right Rev. Michael Curry, Bishop, Diocese of North Carolina, Episcopal Church

•        The Rev. Susan Parker, Pastor for Pastoral Ministry, Wake Forest Baptist Church

•        Randy Quate, North Carolina Yearly Meeting, Religious Society of Friends

•        The Rev. Peter JB Carman, Pastor, Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church

•        Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, Resident Bishop, North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church

•        The Rev. Bruce Puckett, Interim Pastor, The Congregation at Duke University Chapel

•        Bishop Tonyia Rawls, Unity Fellowship Church Movement Fourth Jurisdiction

•        The Rev. Sam Marshall, General Presbyter, Presbytery of Salem*

•        Dr. Bob Setzer, Jr., Pastor, Knollwood Baptist Church*

•        The Rev. David Guthrie, President, Southern Conference, Moravian Church in America

•        Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey, Retired, Western North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church

•        The Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh

•        Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster, Resident Bishop, Western North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church

•        The Most Rev. Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

•        The Rev. Dr. Stephen Shoemaker, Pastor, Myers Park Baptist Church

•        The Rev. Ted Churn, Interim Executive Presbyter and Stated Clerk, Presbytery of New Hope*

*For identification purposes only

The following have also signed-on to the statement: