The Racial Justice Team
Messiah has a very active Racial Justice Team which is involved in MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equality and Solidarity) whose mission is to promote criminal justice reform.
The group is also involved in the South Central Synod of the ELCA Racial Justice programs.
They offer book studies on racial justice topics and offer a lending library of racial justice books so members can read about issues of systemic racism.
Visit their Facebook Page - Messiah Racial Justice Team
Racial Justice Book Study - ends January 25
Good News for Gun Violence Prevention from Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, the organization providing the training for our Guns to Gardens event in March.
- The CNN Hero of the Year*** was Quinlen Blackwell of Chicago, whose "Southside Blooms" flower farm prevents gun violence by providing jobs and opportunities for at-risk youth, and by transforming a neighborhood with hope.
- Gun violence deaths decreased from 41,044 in 2024 to 38,739 in 2025 --- 2,305 lives saved. Suicide gun violence was about the same, with a decrease in homicides and about 100 fewer mass shootings in 2025 than 2024. While these numbers are still painfully too high, evidence-based strategies are working to save lives. Thank you to each person who helped to make this happen. Source: Gun Violence Archive.
- The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship celebrates the ordination to the ministry of gun violence prevention for Rev. Mike Martin of RAWtools, our Mennonite brother and partner in Guns to Gardens.
- The second annual Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage trained and inspired 65 activists who are now leading congregations in gun violence prevention in 21 states and 10 denominations. See a report HERE.
- In spite of the chaos of 2025, Guns to Gardens continues to grow--including into Texas--- and faithful congregations continue to hear the still, small voice of God that calls us to take action, to pray and to keep going in the ministry of gun violence prevention. Congratulations to churches from Georgia to Minnesota to Missouri and many other states for your faithful action and love. You are good news.
***CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute is a television special created by CNN to honor individuals who make extraordinary contributions to humanitarian aid and make a difference in their communities. Honorees are introduced during the fall of each year and the audience is encouraged to vote online for the CNN Hero of the Year. Ten recipients are honored and each receive $10,000. The top recipient is chosen as the CNN Hero of the Year and receives an additional $100,000 to continue their work.
Here is information about the opportunity from the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, the group which has trained us to host our Guns to Gardens event on March 21. They usually ask for a donation and the racial justice group can make that donation if you like.
Please contact Elizabeth if you are interested in signing up.
"Protecting Children from Gun Violence" Action Circles Feb 4- March 4, 2026 or April 15- May 13.
The sessions are held on Zoom for one hour each Wednesday at Noon
If you are troubled by gun violence as the number one killer of American children, you are not alone. The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship invites you to register for a new Action Circle to learn practical ways that you and your congregation can help protect children and youth from gun violence. The Action Circles are ecumenical and offered free of charge.
Created and led by educators, parents, pastors and church leaders, the Action Circle will help participants learn about the root causes of gun violence impacting children and youth. Together participants will evaluate various types of effective action, with a goal to help each participant find the best action for their church setting.
Learn more in this Presbyterian News story on the new Action Circles HERE.
Register for the Feb 4-March 4 Action Circle HERE or the April 15-May 13 Action Circle HERE.
For questions, suggestions or to learn Summer and Fall dates, contact gvp@presbypeacefellowship.org
