Dear Friends,

The shooting last week at the Old West End Festival has shaken our community – both within these walls and beyond. But, as I said on Sunday, of course we know that gun violence is neither new in Toledo, nor is it unique to our community. Gun Violence Archive attempts to track confirmed instances of gun violence in the United States. While their numbers are constantly being updated as reports are confirmed, as of this writing, there were 253 victims of gun violence across our country last weekend. The American obsession with this particular variety of violence is a scourge that must end. And we know that it’s not something that can happen only from “thoughts and prayers” or from one-time reactionary responses.

With that in mind, beginning in July, Trinity will begin offering a new worship opportunity. On the last Wednesday of each month, we will have a Vigil to End Violence in the evening. We don’t want this to become something that we think about once and then consider it done. And we know that the roots of violence are complex and worthy of our time, attention, and prayer from a variety of perspectives.

There will be more information about this as it gets closer, but mostly, we want you to know that we are carefully considering how we can move toward becoming the change we wish to see.

Blessings,
Jon+