Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $15,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all! 

Maybe Later Dismiss
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. 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.
Violence
(From left) Bishop Werner Philipp, local preacher István Pásztor from Hungary, Bishop Stefan Zürcher and Bishop Knut Refsdal stand under a Ukrainian flag at Nevytske Castle, north of Uzhhorod, during their visit to Ukraine on March 26-30. The bishops’ trip was intended as a sign of solidarity and a reminder to people in Ukraine that they have not been forgotten. Photo courtesy of EmK-Öffentlichkeitsarbeit Germany, UM News.

United Methodist bishops encounter hope in Ukraine
Three European bishops traveled to western Ukraine to visit United Methodist congregations and meet people who have been living in war for years. The journey was about presence, solidarity and reminding people they have not been forgotten.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved