The full circle of gun violence prevention

The James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage is coming to Ghost Ranch Aug. 22-25

by Presbyterian Peace Fellowship | Special to Presbyterian News Service

David Barnhart (Photo by Rich Copley)

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.

“Following in the legacy of Jim’s challenge 14 years ago at Ghost Ranch, our hope is that this film will amplify voices that are now engaged in gun violence prevention efforts at grassroots, advocacy and policy levels,” said Barnhart. “We want to tell the story of how congregations, community groups and faith leaders are responding to the epidemic of gun violence in a way that will inspire others to get involved in prevention efforts in their own communities.” Presbyterian Disaster Assistance sponsors this work through its story ministry, Counter Stories Productions.

Offered by the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, the Atwood Institute will welcome individuals and teams from congregations for deep training in a range of education, pastoral care and action strategies for gun violence prevention ministry. The Institute is ecumenical, with a keynote address on Aug. 22 by Father John Dear, Catholic biblical scholar, activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee. Learn more about the James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage here.

PDA, a sponsor of the Atwood Institute, has more than 20 years of experience in responding to gun violence as a human-caused disaster. PDA national staff member the Rev. Dr. Kathy Riley will provide training on how congregations can offer emotional and spiritual help at times of gun violence trauma. Other topics include preaching and speaking effectively about gun violence prevention, securing gun storage campaigns, working with youth, managing opposition, and incorporating gun violence prevention in worship, advocacy and local action.

Scotty Utz (Contributed photo)

North Carolina blacksmith Scotty Utz of RAWtools South will arrive with a trailer and power tools to provide hands-on training for how congregations can join the Guns to Gardens movement. Utz is a Quaker. Joining him will be Guns to Gardens leaders from Colorado, New Mexico and Ohio. “I’m so excited,” said Utz, “to meet in person all the folks I’ve been working with over the last few years on Zoom — to sit around the campfire, to deepen our work to prevent gun violence, and to get to know each other.”

Updates on the James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage

• Following the unanimous passage at the 226^th General Assembly of an overture calling for secure gun storage efforts to protect children, Elaine Miller, RN, will provide training on the Be SMART for Kids Campaign. Miller is a psychiatric nurse and the New Mexico lead for the Be SMART Campaign.
• One goal of the Institute is to overcome the isolation that lay people and clergy can feel on a difficult issue like gun violence. When they go home, participants will have the option of meeting every three months by Zoom to encourage and support one another in the coming year.
• While not as polished as a David Barnhart film, see a short video from Atwood Institute faculty members on what excites them about this inaugural event here.

The cost for the four-day Atwood Institute is a $180 registration fee per person. In addition, participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging at Ghost Ranch.  Family members are welcome to come for daily Ranch activities or a time for renewal. Teams from churches are encouraged to attend.

For questions about the Atwood Institute, contact gvp@presbypeacefellowship.org. Download the brochure about the Institute here. Register here. Apply for a scholarship here. Donate to the Institute scholarship fund here. The Gun Violence Prevention Congregational Toolkit is here.

Who was James Atwood?

When a member of his Virginia congregation was murdered with a $20 handgun in 1975, the Rev. Jim Atwood began nearly 50 years of calling the church of Jesus Christ to take action to balance the rights of responsible gun owners with the right to live free from gun violence. A missionary, pastor, avid hunter and author, Atwood died from Covid in 2020. He was the recipient of the Peace Fellowship’s Peaceseeker Award and the David Steele Distinguished Writer Award from the Presbyterian Writers Guild.

About Presbyterian Peace Fellowship

Founded in 1944, Presbyterian Peace Fellowship is an independent nationwide community of Presbyterians committed to the nonviolence of Jesus Christ. PPF equips congregations and individuals to seek practical alternatives to violence and war, including gun violence. The organization operates with volunteers and a small staff, collaborating with the PC(USA) and encouraging this work in congregations and presbyteries. Learn more here.