Presbyterian Disaster Assistance led a worship service this week in honor of people all over the world who have been affected by natural disasters or other tragedies, from tornadoes to gun violence.
Sometimes things come full circle.
The scene: At a Presbyterian Peacemaking Program conference at Ghost Ranch in 2010, a filmmaker from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance heeds a plea from retired pastor James Atwood to make a documentary about gun violence and its impact on families and communities. The result is the award-winning film, “Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence,” since seen by millions of viewers.
Flash forward: This August 22-25, David Barnhart and his PDA crew will roll the cameras again at the James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. The goal? To interview participants at the new gun violence prevention training event honoring the late Jim Atwood. The result? A planned sequel to “Trigger,” as part of the Presbyterian Decade to End Gun Violence.
When the call went out to those concerned about gun violence to go to Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center in New Mexico, the first registrants hailed from the Atlantic to the Pacific regions of the country.
Why go to New Mexico? For the James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage. This new initiative of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship will be held August 22-25 at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico.
Following yet another weekend marred by deadly gun violence in Louisville, Mid-Kentucky Presbytery opened its May 22 stated meeting at Briargate Presbyterian Church with a screening and small-group discussion in response to “Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence,” a documentary directed by David Barnhart as part of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s Story Productions.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s Story Productions, which has presented award-winning documentaries such as “Flint: The Poisoning of an American City” and “Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence,” is at work on a new film looking at the impacts of industrial pollution and environmental racism.
Producing a film that makes a difference starts with relationships and gets to the big screen by talking with and listening to people whose voices aren’t often heard.
Producing a film that makes a difference starts with relationships and gets to the big screen by talking with and listening to people whose voices aren’t often heard.
Filmmaker David Barnhart, Associate for Story Ministry in Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, has been named McCormick Theological Seminary’s 2021 Distinguished Alumnus.
If a Presbyterian church is interested in discussing gun violence, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s Story Productions has a film for that: “Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence” (2014).
David Barnhart was talking the morning after the world premiere of his documentary for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s Story Ministry, “Flint: The Poisoning of an American City,” in its namesake city.