Bishop Elaine Stanovsky sent a special message to the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area,

I really think it’s worth your time to read. Here’s the link.

“My heart is anguished after the murders at Club Q in Colorado Springs last weekend. In “barely a minute,” five people died, 17 others were shot, and two others were injured. The 22-year-old shooter, carrying an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle, stalked his prey in a place people came for sanctuary from anti-LGBTQIA+ hatred. They were unarmed in an enclosed space, like sitting ducks or fish in a barrel.

No one has the right to hunt and kill innocent people. No civilian should have the right to carry an assault weapon designed for war.

If you are a person who identifies as LGBTQIA+, I see you, I love you, I need you to survive. You should not be targeted for ridicule, bullying, or bodily harm by people who don’t understand you or hate you. I believe that Jesus calls every Christian to be a trustworthy ally as you seek to live the fullness of life God sets before you, but many are slow to respond to this call.”

Thanks to the good people of Olympia UMC, here’s an easy email template to send to our local representative.

“Here's a helpful template you can copy and customize to write a simple letter to your representative (just fill in the bold portions with the concerns that affect you the most). Your congress members want to hear YOUR personal story.

I am advocating for responsible firearm legislation because [examples: I have school-aged children..., Too many people have died..., I've been watching the news..., I read this statistic and...]

I would like to request the following:
* Mandatory background checks for all gun sales, including gun shows and private sales
* The prohibition of further sales of military-style assault rifles (inc. AR-15-style)
* The prohibition of high-capacity magazines
* The extension of waiting periods to all firearm sales
* The implementation of red flag laws
* The expansion of mental healthcare as a guaranteed right and coverage to all persons
* The establishment of a minimum age of 21 to purchase or possess a firearm

[Is there anything else you'd like to say?]