The evening of September 8, interfaith leaders from across the state gathered with their followers for an online prayer service to call for an end to gun violence in our state. The gathering was an unprecedented display of interfaith solidarity and community, with representatives from all corners of the state and many different faith traditions. They were united in their prayers to honor the victims of gun violence and a call for the state legislature to act.
“We stand together in the light of all our faiths to honor those who have lost their lives to the completely preventable scourge of gun violence,” said Bishop Prince Singh of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan.
“Though we worship in many ways, our beliefs are united in the sacredness of human life and the responsibility of our leaders to preserve it,” Singh added.
The event was organized by End Gun Violence Michigan, a statewide coalition of groups working to pass common sense gun reforms. The coalition is promoting reforms including requirements for guns in homes with children to be stored securely (safe storage), universal background checks for gun purchases, and extreme risk protection orders.
“Right now, I’m praying for the parents sending their kids back to school, especially in Oxford,” said Vicki Schroeder of Interfaith Action of Southwest Michigan.
“It’s been nearly a year since the school shooting, and our legislature has done absolutely nothing to prevent more tragic school shootings,” Schroeder added. “I hope our prayers reach our elected officials and motivate them to take the urgent action that is needed.”
Speakers included:
Bishop Prince Singh, Provisional Bishop of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan
Bishop Bonnie Perry, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
Vicki Schroeder, Gun Violence Prevention advisor, Interfaith Action of Southwest Michigan and End Violence Michigan
Rabbi Simone Schicker, Temple B’Nai Israel, Kalamazoo
Austin Lowes, Director & Vice President of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Upper Peninsula
Pastor Barry Randolph, Church of the Messiah, Detroit
Dr. Sahibzada, Director/Imam of the Islamic Center and Masjid of Grand Rapids
Dr. Karunakaran, General Surgeon, Hindu TriCities Temple, Saginaw
Rev. Sid Mohn, Co Director, Interfaith Action of Southwest Michigan
Dr. Mukesh Lathia, Board Certified Psychiatrist, Interfaith Saginaw Leadership
For details, visit www.endgunviolencemi.org.
Also, look out for more information at www.theflintcouriernews.com.
