Gun Violence Prevention Mission July Update
The 2025 legislative session ended last month with no terrible pro-gun bills passing, thanks to the advocacy and leadership of Moms Demand Action, and we want to thank everyone who sent a message of any kind to your state legislators in defense of common sense gun policy. As we look ahead to the session next year, we are again encouraging Episcopalians and all people of faith to visit Missouri Christian at www.MOChristian.org and sign up for action alerts on a variety of issues facing our state.
Our Co-Missioner for Education, Janet Hyde, just had her book, The Psychology of Gun Violence: How Smart Choices Can Save Lives, published. Through psychological research, actionable strategies and real-world ‘good news’ stories that show progress is not only possible but happening, this book empowers readers to take action to reduce gun violence. It’s available through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.
Janet will also be representing our diocese on Tuesday, July 8, speaking on a webinar sponsored by Nuns Against Gun Violence titled “Making Connections and Building Hope: Gun Violence Prevention in Missouri.” The panel also includes representatives from the St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission, St. Margaret of Scotland Gun Sense Committee, and State Senator Maggie Nurrenbern. You can register at this link: bit.ly/GVPinMO and there is a poster attached which can be used to spread the word.
Our parish rep team is taking a brief break this summer returning with a meeting on August 5 where we will focus on planning a Service of Lament and Hope, a response to the gun violence crisis in our state. Please save the date the afternoon of Sunday, September 21. If you are interested in this service and want to make sure your parish is fully engaged, you might want to consider joining our team as a representative from your parish. Please email jeff@jeffwunrow.com to find out how you can get involved.
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