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
Social Concerns
Barbara Braided Hair, left, teaches members of First United Methodist Church in Sheridan, Wyo., how to make fry bread. Barbara is the late wife of Otto Braided Hair Jr., a Sand Creek Massacre descendants representative of the Northern Cheyenne tribe in Lame Deer, Mont., who helped educate church members about the 1864 massacre led by Methodists. The dialogue sparked a two-decade relationship between the church’s Native American Committee and the Northern Cheyenne tribe. File photo courtesy of First UMC Sheridan.

Church forges ties with Sand Creek Massacre descendants
Being a consistent presence has helped the Native American Committee of First United Methodist Church in Sheridan, Wyoming, gain acceptance.
Social Concerns
The Rev. Isaac Ibrahim, Dar es Salaam District superintendent, preaches during worship Nov. 9 in Tanzania. The United Methodist Church in the region has stepped up efforts to promote prayer, peace education and reconciliation following post-election violence in October. “No development is possible without peace,” Ibrahim said. Photo by Asaph Sungura Ally, UM News.

Seeking peace after Tanzania's election violence
Through outreach and teachings on peace and justice, United Methodist leaders are supporting affected communities and encouraging the nation to find a path to healing.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved