Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Fall 2013 Issue | Page 2

Letter to the Editor Who We Are Response to ‘Gun Violence’ The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia This responds to your column in the Summer 2013 issue of the Virginia Episcopalian entitled “Response to Gun Violence: Issues of Morality and Legislation.” From your description of the Diocese’s response to gun violence in the Annual Council and planning initiatives, we think the Diocese is addressing the easily visible symptom and not treating the underlying “disease,” which is a combination of extremely complex and entrenched social issues.  We see every day that a segment of our society has no regard for the life or safety of others. We see it in robberies or murders done for a pair of athletic shoes or a jacket or because someone looked at another strangely. We see it in what seems to be an increase in home invasions. We see it on the highways with drivers who drive aggressively, weaving and speeding, to get ahead while risking the lives of others. We see it in rude behavior and in many other aspects of our lives. So far this is a minority segment of our population and most people respect others and our laws. Most people abhor violence. But those with no regard for others see it as a way to get what they want regardless of the cost to others. Where does this mindset come from? Is it from generations of poverty and unemployment that lead to hopelessness or no avenue for getting ahead through legal means? Is it from the easy availability of illegal drugs and the need to feed addiction? Is it from cultural pressures to have the best of everything with no hope of getting it? Is it from the pervasive violence in our entertainment industry? Is it from mental illness? You could name many other possible causes. These societal issues will not be affected one iota by going after “gun violence” in the ways the Diocese and some others have proposed. There are so many millions of guns in America today that the measures being put forward to reduce certain types of guns will not be effective. Further, they would penalize the responsible majority in our society with a broad-brush stroke of actions aimed at a criminal minority. We already have a plethora of laws against gun trafficking and other illegal behavior with guns. Taking on the initiatives you described seems to be a wasteful use of scarce diocesan resources. It may give an image of doing something worthwhile but will not address underlying causes. We ask that the Diocese use its resources for programs to help alleviate poverty in our communities, hopelessness, drug use, criminal pressures, our violent cultural influences and other social ills that lead to violence of any kind. Such efforts would have a chance to actually make a difference. You wrote that the Diocese would study what responsible gun ownership looks like. Our families have been responsible gun owners for generations. We teach our children how to use and respect guns. We teach them to respect other people and all life. We keep our weapons safe from visiting children. We enjoy marksmanship, skeet and hunting. We are among a majority of responsible gun owners. For Christ. For this time. For all time. Jacob B. and Kathlyn Waltermire Parishioners, St. Mary’s, Colonial Beach The Mayo Memorial Church House: 110 West Franklin St. 800-DIOCESE Richmond, VA 23220-5095 804-643-8451 Fax [phone] The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia is a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church. We are a community of more than 80,000 baptized members and 425 clergy in 38 counties of central, northern and northwestern Virginia, serving the world through 182 congregations, six diocesan schools, two diocesan centers and six diocesan homes, and home to the largest Anglican seminary in the world. Our episcopal seat is the Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration, Orkney Springs. Organized 1785. How to Reach the Diocesan Staff: Paris Ball, Director of Christian Formation: [email protected] ext. 1042 Buck Blanchard, Director of Mission and Outreach: [email protected] 1016 Mary Anne Bryant, Assistant, Mission and Outreach: [email protected] 1017 Joy Buzzard, Financial Administrator: [email protected] 1022 Emily Cherry, Communications Director: [email protected] 1021 Laura Cramer, Benefits Administrator: [email protected] 1040 Stephanie Higgins, Assistant, Development & Stewardship: [email protected] 1029 Edward W. Jones, Secretary of the Diocese, Chief of Staff: [email protected] 1030 Wilbert “Skeet” Jones, Sexton 1028 Ed Keithly, Assistant to the Canon to the Ordinary: [email protected] 1015 Michael J. Kerr, Treasurer: [email protected] 1020 Mildred Lofton, Bookkeeper: [email protected] 1023 Bill Martin, Assistant to the Secretary: [email protected] 1025 Kendall Martin, General Adminstrative Assistant: [email protected] 1029 Lindsay Ryland, Transition Ministry Officer: [email protected] 1013 Mitchell Sams, Bishop’s Clerk: [email protected] 1038 Meg Schwarz, Assistant, Christian Formation: [email protected] 1043 Julie Simonton, Staff Officer for Congregational Development & Stewardship: 1035 [email protected] Karen Smith, Receptionist/Assistant: [email protected] 1010 Megan-Drew Tiller, Mission &