wfn.org | UCC Synod calls for study and action on school violence

[George Conklin <gconklin@wfn.org>]

United Church of Christ
Office of Communication
700 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115
contact: Barbara Powell
phone: 216-736-2222
email: powellb@ucc.org
http://www.ucc.org

PROVIDENCE, RI - July 6 1999 - 
UCC calls for study and programs addressing school violence
by Tim Kershner
        The United Church of Christ today (July 6) took a stand on school
violence, calling on its members, churches and agencies to study the causes of
violence in our schools and propose programs and activities to address those
causes.
        A near unanimous vote at the denomination's General Synod also noted
that much violence begins when schools and school groups "stereotype, judge,
marginalize and exclude other people."
And it all began with the voice of a teenager.
        An amendment calling in reduction in access to firearms to all
individuals, not just youth, failed. Opponents to the amendment maintained that
the focus of the resolution should remain on school violence.
        In April, two students at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo.,
entered their school carrying weapons, killed 12 students and one teacher, and
wounding 20 other individuals before turning their guns on themselves.
        Shortly afterward, Erin Stephens, then 17 and a member of First
Congregational UCC in Murphys, Calif., felt moved to action. 
        “Erin chose to do something,” said Michelle Bagby, a seminary student
who is interning at First Church. Bagby, also a delegate, presented the
resolution to the General Synod. But what could a girl from Northern California
do? 
        With the help of the Rev. John Randlett, pastor of First
Congregational,
Stephens composed a resolution for the conference meeting this past spring. The
conference referred the action to the General Synod. She was especially
concerned with some statistics in her home state of California:  that
California is the only state where guns cause more youth deaths than
automobiles; that gun dealers outnumber McDonald's franchises by 18 times; and
that "there are more restrictions on teddy bears ... then there are on guns."
        In addition to research and programs addressing violence issues,
the UCC
resolution also calls upon those investing church funds to identify "companies
whose advertising dollars promote violence" so that "the faith community can be
in contact with those companies regarding their advertising practices" as well
as avoiding investments in companies "that support a culture of violence."
        Conferences and local churches are also urged to press for laws and
policies prohibiting weapons on school campuses and reducing children's access
to firearms.