Ten Years of Faith-Fueled Action to End Gun Violence!
July 2025 Digest
In this edition of the Digest:
Photos from the National Gun Violence Awareness Day
CFCU Northern Regional Meeting on August 24
FIPI Presentation on Talking Across Division Draws a Crowd
News from the Advocacy Team
HIP Begins a New Cohort on August 4
Guns to Gardens News
Atwood Institute
Get a CFCU Shirt through Bonfire
Words that Disarm - For Such a Time as This by Rev. Sharon Risher
CFCU July Calendar
Photos from the National Gun Violence Wear Orange Weekend
Rabbi Katie Mizrahi wears orange at outdoor services held by B'nai Havurah in Denver on June 7.
Gene Drumm, First Universalist Church, attended the Moms Demand Action Wear Orange Peace March.
Cheryl Fleetwood (front) and Renée Ferguson (front left), Central Presbyterian Church, at the Denver Moms Demand Action Wear Orange Peace March on Friday, June 6.
The Moms Wear Orange Peace March for Gun Violence Awareness Day ended outside the REACH Clinic on Welton Street.
CFCU Northern Regional Meeting on August 24
Do you live in the Boulder or Longmont area?
If so, please join us for an in-person gathering which will nourish you during these trying times, clarify opportunities to take action to prevent gun violence and enable you to weigh in on CFCU's strategies for the future.
Mark your calendar for:
CFCU's First Annual Boulder/Longmont Regional Meeting
Sunday, August 24, 2025, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
First Congregational Church
1128 Pine St, Boulder
This meeting is the 2nd in CFCU’s series of 2025 Regional Meetings in which we are doing strategic planning toward our next 10 years, to double down on our beliefs that:
Our work together IS changing the culture in our country!
Our faith-fueled commitment to action DOES make a difference!
We CAN create a future free of gun violence!
Contact Cheryl Fleetwood at membership@cfcu-co.orgwith any questions or if you’d like to help plan this meeting!
Photo Above: Boulder CFCU's gun safety information table, s Left to right: Stephanie Greenberg, Joanie Nagel, Paula Erez, all from Congregation Bonai Shalom.
FIPI Sponsors Documentary and Conversation on Firearms
The University of Colorado Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative (FIPI) sponsored a screening of The Tennessee 11 at the Sies Film Center on June 22. The film follows a group of individuals in Tennessee, who come together from across the political spectrum to find common ground on gun rights and safety. It demonstrates a way through the polarization on this volatile issue, toward finding common ground.
After the film there was a panel discussion, moderated by Emmy Betz, Director of the Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative. Panelists were Edgar Antillon, (Co-Founder of Guns for Everyone National), Amanda Wilcox, (gun violence prevention advocate, since her daughter was killed in a workplace shooting in 2001), Johnnie Williams (Executive Director of Denver Youth Program...working with youth to reduce gun violence) and Kirsten Wulfberg (licensed professional counselor). The discussion continued to model the kind of dialogue seen in the film.
Mr. Williams explained "When a community is feeling safe, they make different choices. We must ask the questions...what are you afraid of?"
""We all have a role to play," added Ms. Wilcox.
Article contributed by Rita Niblack, Most Precious Blood Catholic Church.
Final Report on 2025 Legislative Session
from the Advocacy Team
The Advocacy Team worked to support 10 gun violence prevention bills in the last session. One was withdrawn by one of the sponsors due to its fiscal note in a year when the state was in a budgetary crisis. The other nine were signed into law by Governor Polis. We also opposed two bills, both of which were defeated in their first committee hearings. Now if only the common sense, evidence-based GVP laws that Colorado has been passing were equally enforced in all 64 counties …
For information on the 12 bills we worked on, please go to the link below.
Many thanks to the Rapid Response Networks (RRNs). Our advocacy work wouldn’t be possible without them. If your congregation doesn’t have an RRN, please contact the Advocacy Team for information on how to get one started, at: advocacy@cfcu-co.org
Advocacy articles submitted by Stephanie Greenberg, Congregation Bonai Shalom.
Handgun Intervention Program (HIP)
Begins Cohort 13 on Monday, August 4
What happens to young people who become involved in non-violent firearm offenses? They may face a range of consequences, including detention and court appearances. But in Denver, some young people have the opportunity to participate in the Handgun Intervention Program (HIP). This life changing and lifesaving program was founded in 2021. HIP helps youth convicted of first time, non-violent firearm offenses chart a new and safer path through education/training, community support and individualized planning. Upon successful completion of HIP and probation, their record is expunged.
CFCU volunteers have been involved with HIP since its inception and now provide a large percentage of the adult volunteers who accompany young people through the program. Volunteers receive training and also have time with the young person to whom they are assigned. We have found that volunteers form connections and provide invaluable and life-changing support for the young people with whom they work.
CFCU members pose for a photo after the final celebration of HIP Cohort 11.
HIP begins its 13th cohort on Monday night, August 4 from 4:30 - 7:00 at First Mennonite Church ( 430 W 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80204). If you would like more information or would like to volunteer, please contact Alana Smart (publichealthstrategies@cfcu-co.org)
Next event in the Denver Metro Area is Saturday, September 6
10 am-12 pm
LIVING WATER CHRISTIAN CENTER & AURORA FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1585 KINGSTON ST, AURORA
Learn How: Guns to Gardens Action Circles
Guns to Gardens Action circles prepare people and congregations to host a Guns to Gardens event. Learn how to invite your congregation into this ministry, how to properly dismantle a gun, how to promote your event, and how to offer pastoral care to those who bring guns to be dismantled.
You will learn through a series of six one hour sessions on zoom. You may choose to attend on Thursday mornings or Thursday evenings.
The next six week series of Guns to Gardens Action Circles begins Thursday, July 10 and you may choose either 10 am MT or 5:30 MT.
Guns to Gardens is a program developed and sponsored by Presbyterian Peace Fellowship
Attend the James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage
Wed- Sat. Sept 24-27, 2025 at the Massanetta Springs Camp & Conference Center in Harrisonburg, VA.
The James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage is an ecumenical project of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship to equip clergy, lay leaders, and community members for gun violence prevention education and action with their congregations.
This year’s keynote will be Reverend Sharon Risher, whose journey from personal tragedy to inspiring forgiveness and hope has resonated widely—learn more about her remarkable story and work on her website.
June 17, 2025 marked the ten year anniversary of the murders of nine people at Mother Emmanuel AME in Charleston, South Carolina. This month I read Rev. Sharon Risher's account of the tragedy in her book For Such a Time as This.
This powerful and very personal story is an account by Sharon Risher, whose mother and two cousins, as well as many personal friends were murdered in her family church during a Bible study.
Rev. Risher tells about her love for her family church and the close relationships she had with the members of Mother Emmanuel, the devastation she felt in the aftermath, and the difficulties of conflicting responses by various family members. She had been to seminary and was working as a hospital chaplain when the murders occurred and felt herself called to work actively as a voice to end gun violence.
I found this book to be quite compelling. I could not put it down until I had read it completely. The style is informal, and sometimes stream of consciousness, which made me feel that I was sitting down with Sharon over a cup of coffee as she shared her story with me. Besides grief, she also talks about the consequences for family and community relationships, mental health and what it meant to become a very public figure because of the tragedy. The book is a short read--127 pp, but it will take you all the way to Charleston and to the heart and soul of a survivor of gun violence. I highly recommend it.
Article contributed by Rita Niblack, Most Precious Blood Catholic Church
In honor of the 10th Anniversary of the tragic shooting at Mother Emmanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina ETV and Public Radio has produced a series of radio and video programs Never Forgotten: the Emmanuel Nine. You can find a link to all the programing below.
We believe that powerful change starts with powerful ideas. Each month, we invite you—CFCU Digest readers, advocates, and change makers—to recommend articles, books, podcasts, or other resources that deepen our collective understanding of gun violence and inspire action.
Read something that moved you? Something you rely on? Tell us why it matters. Your reflections can be featured in an upcoming issue of The Digest. Please submit your article to communications@cfcu-co.org. Along with your recommendation, please include a two or three sentence biography. If we choose to publish your recommendation, we will notify you in advance.
CFCU is a project of Colorado Nonprofit Development Center. Donations, grants and dues payments are tax deductible.
Tuesday, July 15: 3 - 5 p.m. Combined Executive Committee and Steering Committee Meeting on Zoom. For more information please contact Alana Smart (publichealthstrategies@cfcu-co.org)
Thursday, July 17 , 9 AM - 10 AM. Communications Meeting on Zoom. For more information please contact Daryl Foelske (dfoelske@gmail.com)
Wednesday, July 30: 10:00 - 11:30 AM:Public Health Strategies Meeting on Zoom. For more information please contact Alana Smart (publichealthstrategies@cfcu-co.org)
Sunday, August 24: 3- 5 pm. Boulder/Longmont Regional Meeting at First Congregational Church (1128 Pine St
Wednesday August 27, 2:00 PM.Advocacy Team Meetingon Zoom. For more information or to join the meeting, please contact Stephanie at advocacy@cfcu-co.org.
Sunday, September 14: 3- 5 pm. South Regional Meeting. Place to be announced.
Sunday, October 26: 3 - 5.West Regional Meeting. Place to be announced.
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