ABCNJ Responds to Recent Violence

“He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” Isaiah 2:4 NIV 

We have had more mass shootings in this year than we have had days in the year. Since the beginning of 2022, there has not been a single week without a mass shooting. The Congressional Research Service defines mass shootings as a multiple homicide incident in which four or more victims are murdered with firearms, within one event, and in one or more locations in close proximity. Many of these do not make the news. 

However, in recent weeks, four mass shootings have made the news that continues to break our hearts, the Tops supermarket in Buffalo, NY, Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Laguna Hills, CA, Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, and Warren Clinic in Tulsa, OK. All four of these places are spaces where people should feel safe - groceries stores, churches, schools, and clinics. People, especially our children, are living in fear, praying that they can learn, shop, worship, and get medical attention without risk or danger. And as we write this, mass shootings took place in Philadelphia and in Chattanooga, Tennessee. What is it going to take? 

The news stories are unreadable without tears and our hearts breaking. Our hearts break as we hear about another mass shooting. Our hearts break as we see communities devastated by violence and hatred. Our hearts break as we watch grieving families pour their hearts out watching their children die. Our hearts break as we continue to see an atmosphere of menace in our country. Our hearts break and we continue to process slowly and painfully. 

I (Randy) recently came across a cartoon where two angels are talking in heaven and one says, “they keep sending us their thoughts and prayers.” and the other angel responds, “... and their kids.” 

We say, “Enough is enough. We believe in the power of prayer, and we also believe that we need to put action to our prayers.” 

As we pray, let us get involved in nonviolent actions which demand an end to gun violence. 

As we pray, let us vote and put leaders in office that will make positive and healthy decisions for the sake of our neighbors and for the sake and safety of our children.

As we pray, let us speak up and demand our state and federal legislators to pass common sense gun legislation. Common sense gun reform is needed, including universal background checks for all gun sales and banning military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. There needs to be a multi-faceted approach to addressing gun violence and violence in general.

As we pray we must work towards the vision of shalom among all creation found in Isaiah. We condemn violence in all its ugly manifestations. We must break free from our addiction from violence. We must overcome our apathy and indifference. 

As we pray, let us address the mental health crisis and support those who provide care and counseling. 

As we pray, let us engage in ways to disarm hate and find ways to address the racism and prejudice that has been a catalyst to mass shootings. 

As we pray, we must remember the pain and ugliness of gun violence and not allow social media to grab our attention to the next issue of the day.

As we pray, let us actively move to a posture of love. Let us not sit idly behind barriers of political opinions, religious views, and personal differences. Let us put feet to our prayers, let us not allow our love to grow cold due to increased wickedness. “Let us not tire of preaching love; it is the force that will overcome the world. Let us not tire of preaching love. Though we see that waves of violence succeed in drowning the fire of Christian love, love must win out; it is the only thing that can.” - Oscar Romero, The Violence of Love. 

As followers of Jesus, we need to be peacemakers, teaching, speaking, and living the message of peace. We need to learn healthy ways to deal with anger and any conflicts that we may face throughout our lifetime.

The ABCNJ Public Mission team will be working on hosting events around the Region to educate and teach our communities ways to engage in turning violence into peace through relationships, dialogue, and alternative means of justice. Please let us know if you would like to be part of the dialogue. Let us put feet to our prayers and together we can help make this world a better and safer place for all. 

Working Together toward Peace and Justice,

Rev. Miriam Méndez, 
Executive Minister and Senior Regional Pastor 

Mrs. Loucinda Southerland,
ABCNJ President

Rev. Randy Van Osten,
ABCNJ Public Mission Chair