Following the King Soopers mass shooting in Boulder in March 2021, we responded to the issue of gun violence by establishing a new church ministry. Our mission is to inspire and empower members of First Congregational Church to take faithful and effective action in keeping our community safe. We collaborate with Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence (CFCU) and other community organizations on education, outreach, and advocacy to strengthen gun safety laws locally and beyond. Our ministry has initiated a wide range of actions, believing that our collective voice is a powerful tool in creating a safer world for all.
2022 Soul Box Project
In 2022, the GVP Ministry partnered with the nationwide Soul Box Project to create a visual memorial for the first anniversary of the King Soopers shooting. This intergenerational art project involved crafting hand-folded origami boxes, each representing a life lost to gun violence. Members of our congregation created the boxes, which were then arranged into panels of 108 boxes to symbolize the number of lives taken by gun violence each day. The installation was first displayed in our Sanctuary and later showcased in the office of State Representative Judy Amabile.
2023 Community Event
In 2023, our focus shifted to the intersection of guns and suicide. We hosted a community dialogue on gun violence, mental health, and suicide, inviting both our congregation and the broader Boulder community to participate.
In 2023, our panels were selected by the Boulder Public Library to be exhibited in conjunction with the second anniversary of the King Soopers shooting. Additionally, a community talk was held at the library to share the origins of the Soul Box Project and discuss our church’s involvement.
2024 Congregational Forums
In May 2024, we hosted a forum titled Shakespeare, Youth, and Violence Prevention, where the Director of Outreach for the Colorado Shakespeare Festival spoke about how her organization uses Shakespeare to teach youth effective conflict resolution.
Most recently, we held a forum on gun ownership, gun safety, and the importance of collaborating with gun owners to end gun violence. The speakers’ enlightening presentations addressed their advocacy for preventing gun violence while also supporting the Second Amendment.
In 2024-2025, the GVP Ministry, in partnership with CFCU, launched a local playwriting project called #ENOUGH. This initiative will showcase teen voices on how gun violence affects their lives, and is connected to the national #ENOUGH Project, which will provide a national stage in 2025 for selected teen playwrights to present their works.
Additionally, in 2024, representatives from GVP attended the First Annual James Atwood Institute for Courage at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. This conference offered skill-building, strategies, and practical training through national dialogue, fostering the imagination and courage needed to advance our work for gun violence prevention.
Ongoing Community Involvement
Each year, we partner with our CFCU Boulder County network to engage with elected officials and respond to gun safety legislation through our Rapid Response Network (RRN). Our GVP Ministry also participates in several annual events, including Wear Orange in June to honor survivors of gun violence, the Boulder County Fair in August where we distribute gun locks and safety information, and the Sandy Hook Vigil in December to remember those affected by gun violence.