Resources
Click the button to view and download files from the CFCU Resources folder:
On this page: ● Congregational Engagement ● 2023 Profile of Gun Violence in Colorado ● Denominational Statements ● Articles, information, and organizations
Congregational Engagement
Schedule a speaker or program
Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) slideshow and speaker
The Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) became law in Colorado in 2020. It allows family members and law enforcement to petition the courts for temporary removal of firearms from individuals who are at risk to themselves and/or others. ERPOs help to reduce the daily loss of life due to firearm violence, including gun suicide, but the law is not widely understood. CFCU encourages congregations to help “spread the word” by scheduling an ERPO presentation for your congregation.
Schedule speakers on a variety of topics by contacting our partner Colorado Ceasefire.:
Colorado Ceasefire Speakers Bureau
Organize a book or bible study
Faith vs Fear Bible study (United Church of Christ)
This five part bible study was developed after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings so some of the information in the introduction is dated, but the scripture and study guide questions endure.
Beating Guns: Hope for People Who are Weary of Violence by Shane Clairborne and Michael Martin. Inspired by the prophetic image of beating swords into plows, Beating Guns provides a provocative look at gun violence in America and offers a clarion call to change our hearts regarding one of the most significant moral issues of our time. Bestselling author, speaker, and activist Shane Claiborne and Michael Martin show why Christians should be concerned about gun violence and how they can be part of the solution.
Suicide prevention training
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) - It’s like CPR for mental health
This nationally developed program helps you acquire the skills it initiate a conversation with someone in your family or community who may be depressed , acting erratically, and/or contemplating suicide. Suicides comprise nearly three quarters of Colorado gun deaths each year, and the primary victims are middle-aged men. QPR training is appropriate for adults, church staff, parents and older teens. Contact Alana Smart alanaKS@aol.com to schedule a training for your congregation.
National Sabbath for All Victims of Gun Violence – December
Each December, congregations in Colorado and around the country participate this national effort to raise awareness about the tragic toll gun violence has on our communities and our nation. Organize or participate in a vigil, create a banner for your church or synagogue, or incorporate a remembrance during worship. Watch for information and ideas on the CFCU web site and emails, or suggest new ideas to CFCU at cfcu@gmail.com.
Resource: Candlelight Litany by Rev. Anne Scalfaro
2023 Profile of Gun Violence in Colorado
Click here to download the document.
Denominational Statements
Click here to see statements from our faith traditions.
Articles, information, and organizations
American Public Health Association
APHA hosts a collection of peer reviewed articles about gun violence as a public health crisis.
Colorado Coalition Against Gun Violence
CCAGV serves as a means to have a unified voice among many organizations and partners working to reduce and eliminate gun violence, across the state of Colorado, but also as a guiding voice in the nation.
The mission of Colorado Ceasefire is to reduce gun violence in Colorado through legislative advocacy, education and outreach. Ceasefire’s Advocacy https://www.coloradoceasefire.org/advocate/ page contains updated information about Colorado and national legislative measures.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
The Office of Gun Violence Prevention is a new office in CDPHE that will coordinate and promote effective strategies to reduce gun violence in our state.
They also have an Office of Suicide Prevention.
The Gun Violence Archive is an online archive of gun violence incidents collected from over 7,500 law enforcement, media, government and commercial sources daily in an effort to provide near-real time data about the results of gun violence. GVA is an independent data collection and research group with no affiliation with any advocacy organization.
A non-profit journalism site devoted to reporting on gun violence.