How can we keep our children safe?

by Valora Starr

I am sure.

I love the phrase “while it was still dark” in John’s gospel (John 20:1-9) describing the predicament the women found themselves in on the way to the tomb. Yet, without an answer to the question, “who will move the enormous stone” the women kept walking.

In 1994, on Chicago’s west side, women at Bethel Lutheran Church asked the question, “Who will stop the gun violence that is causing children to lose their lives?”

With the confidence that the question can and will be answered, the women began what would become Rachel’s Day.

Rachel’s Day turned into a Women of the ELCA awareness effort about gun violence against children and is observed the first Sunday in May each year. Rachel’s Day is also a free resource based on Rachel who wept for her children and refused to be consoled after King Herod massacred the infants (Matthew 2:16-18).

Still an issue

I am sure the women who gathered in 1994 never imagined that 24 years later ending gun violence against children would continue to be an issue.

And, not only an issue but a pandemic.

But, I am sure Bethel Women (a Women of the ELCA unit at Bethel Lutheran Church) are hopeful. They know Rachel’s Day will be different this year after the February 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida.

It will be different because the work of Rachel’s Day and other women’s groups over these 24 years laid the foundation for children to find their voice and lead the effort to stop gun violence against children.

Our work is not finished

Children in our congregations need to know that we have their backs. Like Rachel, we will not stop until they are safe, and guns are no longer a threat to their childhood.

I am sure that this Rachel’s Day will have new meaning for many Women ELCA units. Because now it is clear that gun violence against children is happening in more places than just large inner cities against poor black and brown boys.

I am hopeful that this Rachel’s Day there will be conversations between women and children about how much their lives matter to us and how committed we are to keep them safe.

Keeping our children safe from guns is not and never has been an issue of gun rights, the second amendment or a political party. I am confident that women will take Rachel’s example to heart and raise their voices on behalf of our children.

I am sure.

Valora K Starr is director for discipleship for Women of the ELCA. She is a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Chicago.

Photo by Karen: March for Our Lives, Atlanta. Joseph Guay art exhibit; 17 empty desk painted with blackboard paint. Chalk provided for observers to write their thoughts. CC BY-ND 2.0