Safer Communities Ministry

What is the mission of Reveille's Safer Communities Ministry?

ACKNOWLEDGING the need for gun violence prevention.

REMEMBERING those who have lost their lives to gun violence.

ESTABLISHING a viable community outreach program, including working on sensible gun laws with our General Assembly. With this, we want to orchestrate change for a better, safer society.

Upcoming Gatherings

Weekly Bell Ringing, Mondays at 1:00 pm

The community is invited to join Reveille’s Safer Communities Ministry on Mondays at 1:00 pm. The group gathers to pray, call the names of deceased victims of recent gun violence in the City of Richmond, and ring a bell after each name is called. Everyone is welcome at this reverent and moving experience.

During warm weather, the group gathers in Reveille’s Garth (turn off Cary Street Road, take the church driveway toward the rear lot, and The Garth is a garden located just past the large sanctuary building).

In cold or inclement weather, the group gathers in Reveille’s sanctuary (follow the driveway to the rear parking lot, park in the rear, follow the brick sidewalk past the white house to a set of double doors at the bottom of the steps and ring the bell, follow the red carpet to the sanctuary).

Monthly Meetings

The group also holds monthly meetings to plan participation in regional events and activities focused on making Richmond a safer community for all.

To join the group's email list, contact Nancy Shepherd.

Weekly Prayer During Bell Ringing

Merciful Lord,

With troubled hearts we are here today to remember your children who have left us too soon due to gun violence.

We know that you care for all your children. We pray that you will touch the hearts of any-one who would take the life of another. Be with all the families who have lost loved ones and keep the victims of gun violence in your care.

Lord, we pray that you guide our legislators to make sensible gun laws which will keep all your children safe and stem the gun violence that plagues our country. May we and our na-tion’s leaders listen for and hear the action you wish us to take.

Now in a small gesture, we humbly ring the bells in your houses of worship that Your will be done as it is in Heaven.

May it be so. Amen.

Which Richmond churches are involved in recognizing victims of gun violence?

The bell ringing for victims of gun violence began in downtown Richmond, Virginia, at Second Presbyterian Church and is also practiced at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, in addition to Reveille. The churches hope to expand bell ringing to neighboring churches to produce a resounding sound with all the bells simultaneously ringing for a single message of acknowledgement, remembrance, hope, and a call for the resolution of gun violence in our society.

United Methodist Church Resources

UMC Justice – Gun Violence Prevention

Taking a Stand Against Gun Violence

For more information about this ministry, contact Nadja Gutowski.