Ten Years of Faith-Fueled Action to End Gun Violence!
May 2025 Digest
In this edition of the Digest:
CFCU Steering Committee Meets with Director of OGVP Molly Siegel
The Central Regional Meeting--a Success!
Update on Firearms Bills in the 2025 Legislative Session
New Study Examines Relationship between Gun Violence and Mental Health
National Gun Violence Awareness Days--Wear Orange
New Children's Book Sparking Peace
CFCU Dues Collection Explained!
Guns To Gardens at Most Precious Blood on May 10
Colorado Ceasefire Gala
Our Featured Congregation: St. Paul Catholic Community of Faith
CFCU May Calendar
CFCU Steering Committee Meets with Molly Siegel,
the New Director of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention
The CFCU Steering Committee was pleased to meet recently with Molly Siegel, the new director of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention since January, 2025.
CFCU worked hard along with other advocates to establish this office in 2021 which is housed in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The Director’s position had been vacant since the former Director, Jonathan McMillan, stepped down in February 2024.
Since her hiring, Molly has been reaching out to a broad range of stakeholders to learn more about current GVP activities and what people feel is needed. She also shared her emerging priorities and answered questions we had submitted.
Molly has nearly 20 years of public and private sector leadership experience, and a unique perspective on solving challenges and implementing prevention initiatives. She says, "I care deeply about making sure we can all be part of communities where we feel safe, and am looking forward building relationships across a wide range of stakeholders in Colorado to help reduce gun violence and promote safety."
To read more about the content of the meeting of the Steering Committee with Molly Siegel click here.
Molly is available to meet with CFCU members at a future meeting
2025 Regional Strategic Planning Meetings
Successful Launch in the Central Region!
We are pleased to report that on April 6 thirty folks, representing twelve different CFCU member congregations (listed below), gathered at University Park UMC in Denver to kick off the first of our four regional meetings. The group included veteran gun violence prevention activists, folks with a range of experiences addressing this epidemic as well as a few people new to our work. The common denominator, however, was a conviction that people of faith can create change and an appreciation for the opportunity to do so together through CFCU - the energy was electric!
Over the course of two hours attendees got to know people in faith communities located near their own for future collaboration. We discussed the pros and cons of various strategies for action we’ve employed within our own congregations, identified those which are most likely to lead to robust involvement and also surfaced some new ideas to try. We gathered feedback to enhance the work of our Action Teams and recruited a few new volunteers for this organizational level work. Finally, we began planning for meetings to be held this fall, during the Interim Session of the legislature, between state legislators and the congregations located in their districts.
Overall, the consensus seemed to be that it was time well-spent, providing valuable insights for the Steering Committee and Action Teams to use moving forward and creating a foundation upon which to build future collaborations among member congregations.
Update on Firearms Bills, 2025 Legislative Session
As of April 28, four bills that CFCU supported have been signed into law by Governor Polis:
SB25-003 (Sens. Julie Gonzalez and Tom Sullivan, Reps. Meg Froelich and Andrew Boesenecker) This bill was heavily amended to help ensure that the Governor would sign it if it passed the Legislature. It requires a permit to purchase semi-automatic firearms with detachable magazines (based on passing a background check and a gun safety class) and bans rapid-fire devices (bump stocks, similar accessories).
SB25-059 (Sen. Tom Sullivan, Reps. Steven Woodrow and Michael Carter)
Requires the Division of Criminal Justice in the Colorado Department of Public Safety to apply for grant money to improve the state's response to mass shootings, including services for victims of mass shootings.
HB25-1133 (Reps. Monica Duran and Lindsay Gilchrist, Sens. Judy Amabile and Cathy Kipp). Prohibits the retail sale of ammunition to a person who is younger than 21 and the sale of ammunition from vending machines. Specifies safety practices that are required when shipping, delivering, or receiving ammunition.’
HB25-1238 (Reps. Junie Joseph and Sean Camacho, Sens. Cathy Kipp and Jessie Danielson). Requires that gun show promoters and vendors adhere to safe and responsible business practices and obey federal, state, and local laws relating to the sale of firearms at gun shows.
This bill which CFCU supports has passed and will be sent to the governor:
SB25-205 (Establishes a procedure allowing a federal firearms licensee to request a firearm serial number check prior to purchasing a firearm)
Four other bills that we support are making their way through the Legislature, and one bill was withdrawn by a bill sponsor due to its fiscal impact. Two bills that we strongly opposed were defeated in their first committee hearing. For more details on all the bills, please click on the link below.
May 7 is the last day of the 2025 legislative session. Stay tuned …
Article submitted by Stephanie Greenberg, Congregation Bonai Shalom
New Study Examines Relationship between
Gun Violence and Mental Health
The Trace reported on a recent study conducted by the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers University. Surveying a representative sample of 8,009 respondents across the country, the study assessed both their exposure to gun violence and their mental health over time. The study found that 40% of the respondents had heard gunshots multiple times in their lives. Another 12% had cumulative exposure, meaning they were exposed to five or more forms of gun violence, including witnessing a shooting or being threatened with a gun, in their lifetimes. A greater frequency of gun violence exposure was associated with higher depression scores, greater likelihood of mental health service use, and greater likelihood of suicidal ideation compared to having no exposure. The study noted that exposure to gun violence was disproportionately high among marginalized communities.
Every day in the U.S., 125 people are shot and killed, and hundreds more are wounded or traumatized. Wear Orange with us on June 6-8, 2025, to honor survivors and build community with those working to end gun violence.
National Gun Violence Awareness Day: June 6, 2025
From our friends at Moms Demand Action: There will be a Wear Orange solidarity walk on Friday, 6/6 at 6pm at Clement Park (next to Columbine High School). We will meet near the Columbine Library (7706 W Bowles Ave. Littleton 80123), walk around the lake, then walk to Nella's frozen yogurt for a Celebration of Hope. The specific details are still evolving, but please save the date and watch for more details
One of the authors, Hannah Martin is married to Mike Martin, Founder of RAWTools.
Children grow up with lockdowns and gun violence as part of their reality. As parents, caregivers, and educators, how should we respond? Sparking Peace provides a springboard for those seeking to discuss gun violence and trauma with children in a safe way that highlights help rather than harm. This picture book helps children learn about conflict while also carefully addressing gun violence and peacemaking. It includes resources that equip parents and educators to talk about gun violence and trauma, using a story of a broken window to show kids how conflict can be transformed through acts of peace. Suggested reading for ages 5–9.
CFCU Dues Collection Explained!
If you have been wondering about the changes in CFCU dues collection--who gets an invoice...when an invoice is sent...why the annual dues have been raised, wonder no more! Cheryl Fleetwood explains the whole process to you HERE. If you still have questions about our process or your dues, please contact Cheryl atmembership@cfcu-co.org.
Please help us spread the word. Download this flyer, print and post it in your local coffee shop, your congregation newsletter or bulletin board. Share it with friends and neighbors!
Ceasefire's 25th Anniversary Gala, May 21
Join us for a night of celebration and reflection on 25 years of helping make Colorado safer. We'll have dinner, awards, an auction, and special surprises! Guest speakers include Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and Rob Wilcox, former Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Get your tickets now! Early Bird prices end May 2!
Use this link to purchase tickets for Colorado Ceasefire Gala:
St. Paul’s Catholic Community of Faith is an ecumenical congregation which has evolved from a small independent group to its current thriving community of faith, worshipping at 4:30 pm Saturdays at Sixth Avenue United Church of Christ, 3250 E. 6th Ave. (at Adams) in Denver. St. Paul’s began its journey covenanting and worshipping with a Lutheran congregation at 16th and Grant in downtown Denver.
You can listen to Fr. Michael play an original composition "Bless our Way" here.
In 2018 they found a home in the Ecumenical Catholic Communion (ECC), part of the Independent Catholic movement. Since 2021, they have been an integral part of the Sixth Avenue United Church of Christ community, called together in a celebration of unity in both worship and mission. Their current co-pastors are Father Michael Nicosia and Father Don Sutton.
Not only is the building beautiful, but it is a warm and safe space for all. Father Michael’s tremendous voice carries the singing and organ accompaniment, there is casual give-and-take during the service between the pastor and congregants, and the passing of the peace feels like a genuine “glad to see you again” moment. The entire congregation and clergy come together to provide a welcoming early evening service each Saturday.
Father Michael has been a strong leader in the work of gun violence prevention and a partner with CFCU. He is both an artist and a musician. You can find his work atSpirit and Song.
He also has a YouTube Channel where you can listen to his music. You can find that here.
Glazed Footing, by Father Michael Nicosia
St. Paul's ECC is a member of the Colorado Council of Churches, of which Fr. Michael is the Chair of the Board of Directors. Their social justice outreach causes includes Capitol Hill United Ministries (CHUM), Women’s Homeless Initiative and Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence. You can find out more about their work at their website:https://www.stpauldenverecc.com/
Father Michael will be leaving St. Paul's and Denver to take a new position, nearer to family in New York this summer. Parishioner Michele Yonker will assume the role of rep for CFCU after Father Michael leaves. She became more involved in gun violence prevention after joining St. Paul’s, but had some groundwork for that cause laid after both the Columbine High School shootings, when her two oldest children were attending nearby Mullen, and the Aurora Theater shooting where her nephew was working the concession stand that night.
Like many of our congregations in this time, it is often a struggle to get members to jump in, even when they support our cause, but she seems eager to build a group of do-ers and hopes to keep congregants informed of upcoming gun legislation and encourage members to walk with her on this journey.
Article submitted by Melody Connett, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
Please consider a donation to CFCU during the upcoming year. Your donation will help us to circulate important gun violence prevention news through publication of the Digest
Tuesday, May 13: 1:30 - 3:30 Executive Committee on Zoom. For more information please contact Alana Smart (publichealthstrategies@cfcu-co.org)
Tuesday, May 20: 3 - 5 p.m. Steering Committee Meeting on Zoom. For more information please contact Alana Smart (publichealthstrategies@cfcu-co.org)
Thursday, May 22 , 9 AM - 10 AM. Communications Meeting on Zoom. For more information please contact Rita Niblack (communications@cfcu-co.org>)
Wednesday, May 28 from 10:00 - 11:30 AM:Public Health Strategies Meeting on Zoom. For more information please contact Alana Smart (publichealthstrategies@cfcu-co.org)
Wednesday June 25, 2:00 PM. Advocacy Team Meetingon Zoom. For more information or to join the meeting, please contact Stephanie at advocacy@cfcu-co.org.
Sunday, August 24: NorthernRegional Meeting. Time and location to be announced. Please contact Cheryl Fleetwood (membership@cfcu-co.org) for more information.
If you are not currently subscribed to the Digest, but would like to be, please email Rita Niblack (communications@cfcu-co.org).
