Post Sandy Hook Sermon that Vowed to Mobilize Faith Communities to Fight the Gun Lobby and Push for Gun Laws

This sermon by Rev. Gary Hall is prescient as we grapple with the painful aftermath of a gunman who recently killed 17 people with an assault rifle at a high school in Parkland, Florida. In this sermon delivered in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2012, Rev. Hall vowed to mobilize the nation's faith communities to fight the influence of the pro-gun lobby and advocate for stronger gun control laws. Sadly, the only safeguards that were implemented to help protect kids from gun violence were removed by U.S. president Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers. Since 2012 we have seen dozens of shootings. The February 2018 Parkland tragedy was the worst mass school shooting since Sandy Hook. Once again there is a call for gun legislation. Will this time be different? Will we see more than thoughts and prayers?

Black History Month: Meet the Community

This is a republication of “Meet The Community” from 2014 in celebration of Black History Month. Like many Anglican and Episcopal churches, Black people are an important part of St. Philip's parish family. This series is offered in respectful appreciation of their esteemed place in our Parish as well as an acknowledgment of the important role of Black people in churches across North America.

Black History Month (BHM) takes place in February each year and it is an opportunity for all people to celebrate those who have championed civil rights, to remember some very disturbing facts about the past and to acknowledge the social justice work that still needs to be done.