We are leaders and representatives of the faith communities of the greater Springfield area who have come together to express our outrage over the epidemic of gun violence in America. We support the important conversations taking place around our nation following the school shootings in Parkland, Florida. We grieve the loss of innocent lives and offer comfort to the communities of survivors and all those injured in body and mind and spirit.
Gun violence is an affliction in our neighborhoods and throughout our country. In the state of Massachusetts, according to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 5,877 incidences resulting in 469 deaths from 2014-2018 with 15 of the victims being children. Locally, the city of Springfield bears the largest burden, but we all have a responsibility for action. We advocate for participation in the March for Our Lives on March 24th at 12 noon in Springfield (Court Square) and other events seeking discussion and action to end violence. We also seek common sense gun legislation and programs at the federal, state and local levels. Now is the time for action.
The scriptures and traditions of our faith communities seek peace, love, respect and unity among all people. Embracing our diversity, we affirm the following:
We stand in solidarity with the students, teachers and families across racial and ethnic boundaries of those affected by gun violence most recently, and amplify the voices and actions of youth leading the current response.
• We stand against school shootings, mass killings and gun violence in any form.
• We acknowledge all people in our communities for whom gun violence continues to be an ongoing tragedy.
• We acknowledge oneness of humanity and support our advocates who speak out against gun violence.
• We understand that getting to know one another provides a sense of unity that stamps-out alienation which often precedes violence.
• We encourage civil discourse and working together to find solutions and common ground in the midst of the divisiveness and partisanship which has become dominant throughout our nation.
• We seek reconciliation and non-violent solutions.
• We demand common sense gun legislation and related programs to prevent violence.
Sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Greater Springfield.
Jeanne Allen, Pax Christi-Western Mass
Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Minister and President, Massachusetts Conference, UCC
Dr. Mohammad Saleem Bajwa, Islamic Society of Western Mass.
Cantor Elise Barber
Fr. Wayne Biernat, St. Michael’s Parish, East Longmeadow
Rev. Ken Blanchard and Meri Blanchard, Agawam UMC & Christ Church UMC Southwick
Rev. Marisa Brown Ludwig, First Church of Christ in Longmeadow, UCC
Joan Butler, Social Justice at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield
The Very Reverend Tom Callard, Dean, Christ Church Cathedral, Springfield
Frances Corgnati, Secretary, East Longmeadow Baha’i Community
Nina Dini, Baha’i Community of the Greater Springfield area representative
Rev. Nancy L Ebner, Orchard Covenant Church, Indian Orchard
The Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts
Teresa Frankhauser, Bahai Community of Greater Springfield
Anne Gagnon, Pax Christi-Western Mass
Rev. Kelly Gallagher, Associate Conference Minister, Massachusetts Conference, UCC
Robert W. Gasque
Rev. Tom Gerstenlauer South Congregational UCC Springfield
Rev. Jill D. Graham, Associate Conference Minister, Massachusetts Conference, UCC
Rabbi James Greene
Bishop James Hazelwood, New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Dr. Harvey Hill, Saint David’s Episcopal Church, Agawam
Rev. Lauren Holm, Bethesda Lutheran and East Congregational Churches
Rev. Vicki Ix, The Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts
Rabbi Devorah Jacobson, hospice and long-term care chaplain
Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz, Temple Beth El, Springfield
Cantor Martin Levson, Sinai Temple, Springfield
Rev. Dr. Robert Loesch, UCC
Deacon Kevin McCarthy, Blessed Sacrament/All Souls Parish, Springfield
Dr. Calvin McFadden, Sr., St. John’s Congregational Church, Springfield
Sr. Mary McGeer, SSJ, St. Michael’s Parish, East Longmeadow
Rev. Pamela McGrath, First Church of Christ in Longmeadow, UCC
Michael Moran, Pax Christi-Western Mass
Jane Morrissey,SSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph
Rev. John E. Mueller, Trinity United Methodist Church, Springfield
Barbara Nason, resident
Rev. Erin Newcomb-Moore, Trinity United Methodist Church, Springfield
Rev. Dcn. Patricia M. O’Connell, Episcopal Church of the Atonement, Westfield
Marilyn Paul-Lewis, Pax Christi – Western Mass
Michael Paysnick, Springfield Jewish Community Center
Dr. Martin J. Pion, President Interfaith Council of Greater Springfield
Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield
Joan Ryzewicz SSJ, President, Sisters of St. Joseph
Mehlaqa Samdani, Muslim Interfaith Activist, Executive Director, Critical Connections
Rev. Jason Seymour, Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield
Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro, Rabbi Emeritus Sinai Temple, Springfield
Samantha Smith, Winding Path Tendai Buddhist Sangha, Springfield
Rev. Anne Strickert, St. Paul Lutheran Church, East Longmeadow
Rev. Nancy Webb Stroud, The Episcopal Church of the Atonement, Westfield
Sr. Eileen Sullivan SSJ, Pastoral Minister, St. Michael’s Cathedral, Springfield
Rev. Dcn. Linda Taupier, Christ Church Cathedral, Springfield
Rev. Anna Tew, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, South Hadley
Deacon Bill Toller, Holy Cross Church, Springfield
Rev. Kelly Turney, East Longmeadow UMC
Rev. Jennifer Valentine, First Congregational Church of Southampton, UCC
Rev. C.J. Waitekus, Pastor of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Longmeadow
(Institutional references for purposes of identification only.)
