Trinity Episcopal Church Hosts Gun Violence Awareness Installation
Houston- Vidas Robadas/ Stolen Lives is a memorial hosted by Trinity Episcopal Church, Midtown Houston, to victims of gun violence. This event will honor individuals lost to gun violence from 2018 to 2023 in Harris County. Trinity Episcopal Church will display the t-shirt installation from June 2nd to July 7th on Holman St. and the intersection of Holman and Fannin Street.
The Reverend Hannah E. Atkins Romero said, “To be a Christian is to know that life is a gift from God and is sacred. Trinity witnesses this truth in many ways including with our public Gun Violence Memorial in which we name the names of victims of gun violence and expose the number of mass shootings that happen every year in the USA. We work with Everytown for Gun Safety in interfaith action to call for common-sense gun legislation. No one’s right to own a gun supersedes the right to live safely in this world. Guns do not make us safer. Our participation in Vidas Robadas is a continuation of our faithful witness to the God who created us out of love for the good of this world.”Trinity member Theresa McClellan said, “As a 30-year veteran crime reporter, I know firsthand that bullets shatter more than bones. Gun violence not only destroys lives, it ricochets through a family, robbing survivors not only of a loved one but also of a sense of security, sanity, and self. As a Trinity volunteer working with those living on the streets through our Listening Post Ministry, I have spoken with victims who were so broken by gun violence that they lost themselves and their connection to God. They ask if God hears their prayers and, if so, when gun violence will end. This is why I am pleased that my Trinity church is shining a light on this scourge and the victims it takes. Our faith calls us to be instruments of peace, and as followers of Christ, we also serve as agents of change.”
Council Member Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz said, “Gun violence has plagued our community for far too long, claiming the lives of many beautiful souls in senseless acts of brutality. Each day, we confront this devastating issue with unwavering resolve. We are fortunate to have installations like Vidas Robadas, which galvanize our community through their sustained and collective efforts, providing crucial support and fostering unity. The memories of those we’ve lost will never fade, and our commitment to ending gun violence remains steadfast and relentless. Together, we will continue to work tirelessly to create a safer environment for all.”
Former Council Member Sue Lovell said, “It is imperative to have faith voices present as we seek data driven solutions to gun violence in our neighborhoods, city and state. As a former Houston City Council member and member of Trinity Episcopal Church, I am proud of the involvement of our church in this very important issue.”
FACTS FOR THE MEDIA
● According to data obtained by Texas Impact from Harris County, over 4,100 Harris County residents have died from gun violence since 2018.
● In an average year, 4,122 Texans die by guns. (Everytown for Gun Safety/CDC data 5 yr average 2018-2022)
● According to Everytown, since 2015, over 19,000 people have been shot and wounded or killed in a mass shooting in the United States.
Trinity Episcopal Church, in the heart of midtown Houston, is an inclusive, caring community where people of diverse backgrounds are embraced and valued. Through our traditional and eclectic worship services, we strive to embody humility, acceptance, forgiveness, and respect for all. We are open to the Holy Spirit to bring people together into a relationship with God and one another in a changing urban context.
Linda Siemers, a volunteer from Mom’s Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, will be available on June 9th in the fellowship hall during coffee hour to provide information about gun awareness and gun safety.
Gun Violence Awareness companion flyer
