MOMS Demand Action Advocacy Day on April 1, 2025
Speak up for Common Sense Gun Laws at Moms Demand Action Advocacy Day
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Morning Session from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon Session from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Ecumenical Moment of Prayer for the Victims of Gun Violence 11:30 a.m. on the Capitol Steps
You can be part of Moms Demand Action Advocacy Day. On April 1, supporters of sensible gun laws will rally in Jefferson City to meet state legislators and advocate for legislation that protects children and families from gun violence.
You don’t have to be a whiz at public speaking to go. You don’t have to know all the key points or memorize a bunch of facts. They will be provided for you in training. You simply have to show up—and wear your red Moms Demand Action shirt. If you don’t have one, wear red, if possible. Your presence makes a statement all by itself.
If you’ve never been to Advocacy Day, and you’re thinking about going and even better, want to bring three friends with you—here’s a guide to practical things to know.
Two years ago, the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri enthusiastically showed up in Jeff City for Moms Demand Action Advocacy Day. This year, we’re hoping for a significant turn out of Episcopal clergy and lay people. You won’t be the only one. In fact, Rev. Meghan Ryan of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Creve Coeur will be leading an Ecumenical Moment of Prayer at 11:30 a.m. on the capitol steps.
You can drive yourself to Jefferson City for Advocacy Day, and volunteers with the Diocesan Mission on Gun Violence Prevention will be helping to arrange carpools where needed—the link to a Google Form requesting carpool assistance is above this article. There are also two links for Moms Demand Action—one to RSVP for Advocacy Day, and one to indicate if you want to attend the morning or afternoon session (or the full day if you like). The check-in location will be shared to those who RSVP.
During orientation, everyone self-sorts into groups of about 8 people, each with a leader. There’s a rally call and training on what’s important to know about bills the legislature is considering. You have a chance to observe a “role play” of an interaction with a lawmaker. Rarely is a lawmaker adversarial. Even if they disagree with you, they respect you as a citizen of Missouri and they are deferential to clergy. Most of them identify as Christian.
In your small group, there’s a leader, scribe, photographer, navigator and a “final ask” person who has the responsibility of concluding the legislative visit with “Will you support/oppose what the group is asking for.” If you are a survivor of gun violence, you make up your own mind about if you do/don’t want to share your story as visits are made. Shared stories are extremely powerful, they also may be very private and painful. It is entirely your choice about what you want to do.
After groups are sorted and training is complete, we walk to the Capitol for a group photo. It is a sea of red Moms Demand Action shirts. You can order one from The Everytown Store, or wear a different red t-shirt. Pair it with pants or a skirt and wear comfortable walking shoes.
We start our lawmaker visits. The walk to the Capitol is a couple of blocks, uphill. If you aren’t a good walker, you can get shuttled to the Capitol. Once you get there, expect to go up and down stairs or to search out the elevators. They exist, but being an old building, they’re not overly plentiful so you’ll need patience. But there again, the whole day is kind of about being patience—and optimistic. Lawmakers may disagree with your message. But your presence reminds them that people who feel differently live and vote in Missouri.
After each visit to your assigned legislator, your group may want to review what went well, and what didn’t. Moms Demand Action has a tight message that it sticks to. You are not going to press for “gun control” as that phrase shuts down the conversation and builds walls. Your group will deliver the message of “gun safety and sensible gun laws.”
What about lunch? There’s a cafeteria! Your group will have time to break for lunch, and you can bring your own food, if you like. Snacks and a water bottle are good. And keep in mind, there are security checkpoints at the Capitol. And lastly, got kids? If your children are reasonably content go to meetings, bring them! It’s our government in progress.
For more about Advocacy Day, and why you should go and bring your friends, even if you’ve never done it before and don’t know if “it sounds like you,” look for a virtual or in-person Moms Demand Action meeting you could join at their website: https://momsdemandaction.org/events/
It is incumbent upon us as Episcopalians and as Christians to bring Jesus’s message of peace to our elected officials. This is an ideal way to do that. I hope you can join us.
About The Missioner for Gun Violence Prevention
Gun violence impacts the lives of every community within the Diocese of Missouri. We have seen a steady rise in the level of gun violence that goes well beyond the heartbreaking increase in mass shootings. As followers of Jesus, we are charged with building Beloved Community, a community in which everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger, violence, and hate.
The Missioner for Gun Violence Prevention seeks to equip members of the Diocese of Missouri to advocate for changes in gun policy on the local and state level while offering opportunities for formation and education on the impact of gun violence on communities. The Missioner also invites members of the Diocese to gather in vigil to. honor those who have been lost to gun violence as well as promote visibility through the yearly Wear Orange Sunday events.
The Rev. Meghan Ryan is our Missioner for Gun Violence Prevention. She works alongside diocesan members Jeff Wunrow (advocacy) and Janet Hyde (education) to lead the Gun Violence Prevention Advisory Committee, whose work centers on promoting gun safety, legislative advocacy, and education. You can reach them at gunsafety@diocesemo.org.
The missioner's responsibilities include:
- The creation of a Council of Advice along with naming associate missioners to assist in carrying out their duties.
- Provide theological, scriptural, liturgical, and foundational resources for this ongoing work: lament, advocacy, and education.
- Provide responses in conjunction with the Bishop.
- Provide resources to communities of faith within the Diocese around advocating and acting on the behalf of the unhoused, oppressed, and marginalized.
- Provide opportunities for preaching and teaching in communities of faith that make up the Diocese.
- Submit an annual report to the Diocesan Convention.
- Plan the Diocesan Gun Violence Vigil in December with the Bishop and other community leaders.
Gun Violence Prevention Advisory Committee Members
- Donna Bernart - St. Francis Episcopal Church, Eureka
- Betty Bowersox - Grace Episcopal Church, Kirkwood
- Sally Boyd - St. Barnabas, Florissant
- Lore Gross - Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis
- Colleen Haggerty - Grace Episcopal Church, Kirkwood
- Machelle West - The Episcopal Church of All Saints and Ascension, Northwoods
- Jeff Wunrow - Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Louis