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Diocese of Rochester Public Policy Committee and local EPF Chapter Collaborate in Advocacy At Convention
At their annual convention, deputies in the Diocese of Rochester passed, with a clear majority, a Resolution that parishes declare themselves Gun-Free Areas. The Resolution was a response to General Convention Resolution D003, 2012, requesting diocessan conventions to promote Parish Gun- Free Areas. There was vigorous debate on the floor. One amendment regarding police officers attending worship services was added to the original wording. The Resolution was co-sponsored by the Diocesan Public Policy Committee and the local EPF Chapter.
Resolved, That this 83rd Convention of the Episcopal
Diocese of Rochester encourage congregations to de- clare their places of worship to be gun-free areas, except for police officers in uniform who are attending worship in this space; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations also be encouraged to
engage in conversations with local law enforcement leadership around their concerns about gun violence in their jurisdictions; and be it further
Resolved, That this Convention instruct the Secretary of Convention to send copies of this resolution to all congregations within this diocese.
Explanation:
* General Convention in 2012 passed a Gun Free Zones Resolution (D003) that calls for "every parish and every diocesan place of work to declare their establishments as
Gun Free Zones."
*Places of worship are thought to represent havens of
peace in our society.
*Both open carry and concealed carry of guns create significant risk to public safety.
*Chipotle and other U.S. businesses are declaring their
premises gun-free areas.
*Our Episcopal congregations in this diocese are en-
couraged to enhance community safety by defining church properties as gun free zones.
*Conversations with law enforcement officers will
increase our awareness of the level of gun violence and challenges our "first responders" face in fostering a less violent society. It may lead to a more constructive partnership between the church and civic society. ________________________________________________ 
In the last few weeks, posters have lined the nave of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee describing various outreach opportunities available to members of the parish. One of the new posters features the Death Row Ministry, one of the projects of the EPF chapter. There are currently twelve people visiting men on Tennessee's death row due to the program offered through St. Paul's.  "Reminder: The EPF offices will be closed for Thanksgiving on November 27th & 28th, 2014. " | 
