Aug. 21, 2023 | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) – Gun reform supporters, including United Methodist clergy and church members, gathered for an early morning prayer vigil at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., on Aug. 21. The gathering came as lawmakers begin a special legislative session focused on public safety and mental health following a mass shooting at the Covenant School here in March. The Rev. Ingrid McIntyre, a United Methodist pastor, helped organize the vigil.
United Methodists have long looked for ways to stop gun violence in all its forms. The denomination’s Book of Resolutions encourages congregations to advocate for such measures as universal background checks for all gun purchases and bans on large-capacity ammunition magazines and weapons designed to fire multiple rounds each time the trigger is pulled, as were used in the Covenant School shooting.
Mike DuBose has photos from the prayer gathering.
Men praying
The Revs. Paul Purdue (right) and Ken Edwards (center) join in prayer with Mike Engle during a prayer vigil in support of gun reform at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville on Aug. 21. Purdue is senior pastor of Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, Edwards is retired clergy from the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference and Engle is a public defender in Nashville and member of Belmont. (Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News)
Leading
The Rev. Keller Hawkins (left) helps lead a prayer vigil in support of gun control at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, where lawmakers will begin a special legislative session focused on public safety and mental health following a mass shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School in March, which killed six people. Hawkins is a provisional deacon in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference. (Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News)
Hands in prayer
Supporters of gun reform hold hands in prayer outside the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, where lawmakers will begin a special legislative session focused on public safety following a mass shooting at the Covenant School. Three 9-year-old children and three adult staff members were killed at the school before the shooter was taken down by police. (Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News)
Marching for gun reform
The Rev. Keller Hawkins leads marchers during an Aug. 21 prayer vigil in support of gun control at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, where lawmakers will begin a special legislative session focused on public safety and mental health following a mass shooting at the Covenant School earlier this year in Nashville. (Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News)