Navigation Back Search
Search

United Methodists join prayer vigil for gun reform

Aug. 21, 2023 | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News)

Supporters of gun reform join in prayer outside the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville on Aug. 21 as lawmakers begin a special legislative session focused on public safety following a mass shooting at the Covenant School here in March. Joining the prayer is the Rev. Eric Mayle (second from right) of Calvary United Methodist Church in Nashville. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
Supporters of gun reform join in prayer outside the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville on Aug. 21 as lawmakers begin a special legislative session focused on public safety following a mass shooting at the Covenant School here in March. Joining the prayer is the Rev. Eric Mayle (second from right) of Calvary United Methodist Church in Nashville. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Gun reform supporters, including United Methodist clergy and church members, gathered for an early morning prayer vigil at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., on Aug. 21. The gathering came as lawmakers begin a special legislative session focused on public safety and mental health following a mass shooting at the Covenant School here in March. The Rev. Ingrid McIntyre, a United Methodist pastor, helped organize the vigil.

United Methodists have long looked for ways to stop gun violence in all its forms. The denomination’s Book of Resolutions encourages congregations to advocate for such measures as universal background checks for all gun purchases and bans on large-capacity ammunition magazines and weapons designed to fire multiple rounds each time the trigger is pulled, as were used in the Covenant School shooting.

Mike DuBose has photos from the prayer gathering.

The Revs. Paul Purdue (right) and Ken Edwards (center) join in prayer with Mike Engle during a prayer vigil in support of gun reform at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville on Aug. 21. Purdue is senior pastor of Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, Edwards is retired clergy from the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference and Engle is a public defender in Nashville and member of Belmont. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
The Revs. Paul Purdue (right) and Ken Edwards (center) join in prayer with Mike Engle during a prayer vigil in support of gun reform at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville on Aug. 21. Purdue is senior pastor of Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, Edwards is retired clergy from the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference and Engle is a public defender in Nashville and member of Belmont. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
The Rev. Keller Hawkins (left) helps lead a prayer vigil in support of gun control at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, where lawmakers will begin a special legislative session focused on public safety and mental health following a mass shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School in March, which killed six people. Hawkins is a provisional deacon in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
The Rev. Keller Hawkins (left) helps lead a prayer vigil in support of gun control at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, where lawmakers will begin a special legislative session focused on public safety and mental health following a mass shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School in March, which killed six people. Hawkins is a provisional deacon in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
Supporters of gun reform hold hands in prayer outside the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, where lawmakers will begin a special legislative session focused on public safety following a mass shooting at the Covenant School. Three 9-year-old children and three adult staff members were killed at the school before the shooter was taken down by police. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
Supporters of gun reform hold hands in prayer outside the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, where lawmakers will begin a special legislative session focused on public safety following a mass shooting at the Covenant School. Three 9-year-old children and three adult staff members were killed at the school before the shooter was taken down by police. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
The Rev. Keller Hawkins leads marchers during an Aug. 21 prayer vigil in support of gun control at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, where lawmakers will begin a special legislative session focused on public safety and mental health following a mass shooting at the Covenant School earlier this year in Nashville. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
The Rev. Keller Hawkins leads marchers during an Aug. 21 prayer vigil in support of gun control at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, where lawmakers will begin a special legislative session focused on public safety and mental health following a mass shooting at the Covenant School earlier this year in Nashville. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Related Tags

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Mission and Ministry
Bishop João Sambo of Mozambique (right) and Bishop Emmanuel Sinzohagera of Burundi (center) distribute cans of vegetable oil at the Musenyi camp in Burundi. The bishops were among a United Methodist delegation who visited the camp in March to offer physical and spiritual support to refugees fleeing conflict in eastern Congo. Global Missionary Abro Patrick stands to the left. Photo courtesy of the communications department of the Burundi-Rwanda Episcopal Area.

Church supports Congolese refugees in Burundi
The United Methodist Church, with support from UMCOR, provides vital infrastructure and food to the Musenyi camp, which has doubled its population because of ongoing conflicts in eastern Congo.
Violence
The Rev. Joseph M. De Castro is the pastor at First United Methodist Church in Dubai. His congregation of mostly migrant workers and others who live in the United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries have been caught in the middle of war. Photo courtesy of the TFUMC Dubai Media Team.

Middle East United Methodists feel brunt of war
Filipino United Methodists who work and worship along the Arabian Peninsula have been caught in the crossfire of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.
Violence
The Rev. Bob Anders (at left) leads a time of prayer on April 3, Good Friday at Cedaredge Community United Methodist Church in Cedaredge, Colo. The church displayed on its steps a memorial showing pairs of shoes to represent the 168 children and teachers killed Feb. 28 in the bombing of the girls’ school in Minab, Iran. Photos of the memorial went viral on social media. Amid the tenuous ceasefire, United Methodists continue to speak out against the war and especially threats of genocide. Photo courtesy of Anders, Cedaredge Community United Methodist Church.

United Methodists confront Iran war’s impact
With the ceasefire on shaky ground and no deal in sight, United Methodists are praying for peace as they’ve done since the beginning of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. They also are speaking out against disregard for human life.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved