[Episcopal Peace Fellowship press release] This September the Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF) is calling for all Episcopal parishes, dioceses and EPF chapters to create a “Make a Noise” event aimed at stemming gun violence and highlighting the need for legislative change throughout the US.

“Thirty four Americans are dying each day due to gun violence – including eight children. An additional 180 Americans are wounded by guns each day – this must stop,” said the Rev. Allison Liles, EPF executive director.

“Anticipating a renewed effort in our US Congress to finally reinstate legislatively reasonable gun purchase background checks and hopefully further protection this fall, please consider and then create and stage a “Make a Noise” event in your town. Examples include hosting marches, rallies, liturgies, conferences and trainings – all raising their voices as prayerful engagement and direct action,” she said.

The EPF gun violence webpage details aspects of the Pray, Study & Act initiative and includes a stunning sermon on the Newtown Slaughter at the top of the Study section. Please write Rev. Liles to get started with your event at epf@epfnational.org

The Ithaca, New York Area EPF Chapter is staging a “Make A Noise” event on Thursday, Sept. 26 at the local Starbucks to hand out literature and Gun Free Zone decals while displaying placards of the guns allowed in any Starbucks coffee shop throughout the country.

An event titled “Episcopalians Make Some Noise: Putting faith into action to prevent, reduce and eliminate gun violence” begins at 5pm on Sept. 29 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The Very Rev. Gary Hall, dean of the National Cathedral, will speak to a Virginia Seminary forum about the Episcopal Church’s efforts against gun violence and how it relates to our Baptismal Covenant at 1pm on September 19.

The EPF chapter at Otey Parish in Sewanee, Tennessee, is planning a prayer vigil in late September.

Massachusetts is holding a diocesan wide Resource Day about gun violence on Sept. 28. Peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh will lead a sitting meditation and Peace Walk from 2 to 4pm at Boston’s Trinity Church in Copley Square on Sept. 15.

The first “Make a Noise” event took place in conjunction with the annual “Bending the Arc Symposium” at St. James Cathedral, Chicago, where Angela Davis gave a keynote address about gun violence on Sept. 7.

The Episcopal Peace Fellowship has championed peace, nonviolence and social justice issues since its founding on Armistice Day 1939. Read more about EPF here.