For six decades, Saint Aidan’s Episcopal Church has tied its faith to social justice work in the Ann Arbor community. Now, church leaders and members say that mission includes confronting gun violence through advocacy, education, remembrance and healing.
On June 20, Saint Aidan’s Church at 1679 Broadway Street is hosting a “Silence the Violence” event from 6:30-8:30 p.m. It is a program of Remembrance, education, and action for gun violence prevention.
“Gun violence is an epidemic in our nation,” said Rev. Tom Ferguson, rector of Saint Aidan’s Episcopal Church. “It is the number one killer of children in Michigan. Our commitment to social justice and stopping violence led Saint Aidan’s and the Diocese to join advocacy for safe gun laws, education, and action to stop gun violence.”
Ferguson, who has served as rector for four years, said the church’s involvement in the Silence the Violence movement grows directly out of its mission to “bring justice, welcome the stranger, and work for the liberation and inclusion of everyone.”
A faith-based call to action
Church member Rochelle Igrisan, who is active with Moms Demand Action and End Gun Violence Michigan, said the issue fits naturally within the congregation’s broader social justice mission.
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“There is a strong social justice mission in the church,” Igrisan said. “Safety fits in with housing, nutrition, education — all the things that people need to thrive.”
Ferguson argued that faith communities have a moral obligation to engage with the issue, even when it can be politically divisive. He emphasized that responsible gun ownership must include “safe handling, storage and use,” adding that ending gun violence is fundamentally about saving lives.
Igrisan said, “Faith communities are the moral compass of our society. They set the example for communities, regardless of the faith tradition.”
Church member Mike Otto who serves on the board of Physicians for the Prevention of Gun Violence added, “Faith communities have an obligation to engage in issues related to injustice and preventable injuries and death, especially those heavily impacting children.”
Hope, healing and community
This year’s Silence the Violence event includes advocacy efforts along with opportunities for reflection and healing, including a Serenity Walk. Ferguson said both elements are essential because gun violence leaves deep emotional wounds across entire communities.
“Gun violence is traumatic, killing so many of our young people,” he said. “Our remembrance and quiet meditation can help with healing. Grief and trauma affect us all, and the health of the community.”
Igrisan added that the impact extends far beyond the immediate victims.
“Gun violence ripples out to so many people beyond the victim: friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances, kids at school who know the family, people at their place of worship,” she said. “It’s important to pause and reflect on the massive impact it has on our communities.”
Ferguson said he hopes attendees leave the event with a renewed sense of possibility.
“We have a lot of work to do, but it is not impossible,” he said, citing Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous line: “The Arc of the Moral Universe is Long, But it Bends Toward Justice.” “Ending gun violence is an issue of justice and compassion. We want to bring that hope that the arc of the moral universe is bending and is possible through our actions in the future.”
Otto added his hopes “I hope people take away knowledge that gun violence is a public health crisis, is the number one killer of kids in the US, and that we can all act to reduce its impact.”
Congregation engagement and local impact
Saint Aidan’s has hosted gun violence prevention efforts before, including gun buybacks and gun destruction events. Ferguson said the congregation has embraced the work.
“Our congregation is delighted with these programs,” he said. “It makes them feel vital to the effort of ending gun violence.”
Igrisan echoed that sentiment: “The congregants are very engaged in the mission.” Otto added that the congregation embraces this project, “with incredible spirit and determination from the entire congregation.”.
Ferguson said the church has even welcomed new members because of its advocacy efforts, with many congregants seeing a clear connection between the work and “the social justice making of Jesus and Saint Aidan’s history.”
Locally, Ferguson said gun violence has contributed to a growing sense of anxiety in the Ann Arbor area.
“People hear a bang and fear it’s a gunshot,” he said. “People do not feel safe, fear for themselves and their loved ones in Ann Arbor or wherever their loved ones are.” Otto sees the effects of gun violence through “PTSD in survivors, fear and anxiety in school children,” adding “They (kids) have grown up in an era of school shootings and active shooter drills. They will need to continue gun violence prevention work when we are gone.”
Igrisan noted that many of the church’s advocacy partners, including physicians and survivors’ groups, have witnessed the effects of gun violence firsthand.
Listening to young people
Ferguson also stressed the importance of including youth voices in the conversation.
“We are supposed to protect our children,” he said, quoting former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey on society’s moral responsibility to care for “those who are in the dawn of life, the children.”
He said young people offer clarity and insight that adults often miss.
“When we listen to the young people, we learn, we hear their struggles, and get insight into solutions,” Ferguson said. “Children are wise, seeing the world through a much clearer lens than many of our tinted visions.”
What people can do
For community members who want to help but are not part of advocacy organizations, Ferguson pointed to civic engagement.
“We can write letters to politicians, support those doing the work, and vote,” he said. “We the people have the power; we need to exercise it through the democratic process.”
Igrisan emphasized practical steps as well: “Educate yourself and your kids about gun safety. If you see something — say something.” She also encouraged people to use the 988-crisis line if they are concerned about someone’s safety.
Otto encourages people to “get educated, go on advocacy websites, get on email lists, talk to friends and family about it, stress safe gun storage, vote for officials who will positively impact gun violence.”
A hopeful future
Despite the scale of the problem, both Ferguson and Igrisan expressed optimism about the future of the movement.
“My hope is to silence the violence,” Ferguson said. “Once we can effectively stop the violence with safe gun laws and moral commitments to the community by all people, we will have built the beloved community.”
Igrisan said collaboration is already making a difference.
Donna Marie Iadipaolo is a writer, journalist, and State of Michigan certified teacher, since 1990. She has written for national publications like The Village Voice, Ear Magazine of New Music, Insurance & Technology, and TheStreet.
She is now writing locally for many publications, including Current Magazine, Ann Arbor Family, and the Ann Arbor Independent. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she graduated with an honors bachelor’s degree and three teacher certificate majors: mathematics, social sciences, English. She also earned three graduate degrees in Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Education Specialist Degree.
