On Tuesday, April 18th, 2023, we hand delivered our original letter (link here) to Governor Lee and all members of the Tennessee General Assembly. We are continuing to gather the support of faith leaders across the state, and will continue adding names to our online version of this letter below.
To publicly join this chorus of support, please fill out this form.
Dear Governor Bill Lee and members of the Tennessee General Assembly,
As faith leaders, we encourage you, our elected leaders, to take steps that will help protect our kids and our cherished individual rights. In Tennessee, firearms are the leading cause of death among kids and teenagers, and 59% of gun deaths are self-inflicted wounds. Today, we come together to support a reasonable response to the violence in our State. We support Governor Lee’s investment in school safety and funding, and ask legislators to also take these steps:
- Allow authorities to temporarily remove guns from those who pose a risk to themselves or others by implementing Extreme Risk Laws.
- Keep guns away from dangerous people by requiring background checks on all purchases and closing the background check loophole.
- Stop firearms from falling into the wrong hands by requiring gun owners to provide safe storage and report lost and stolen guns.
Together, we agree on much more than we disagree and can work together to build a safer Tennessee. Offering our collective public support will help us all do the next right thing as we heal together.
I stand with other Faith Leaders for a Safer Tennessee.
Sincerely,
Daoud Abudiab
President, Faith & Culture Center
Thompson’s Station, TN
Rev. Ashton Alexander
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church
Memphis, TN
The Rev. Colin Ambrose
Vice Rector
St. George’s Episcopal Church
Nashville, TN
Gage Arnold
Director of Youth Programming
First Presbyterian Church
Nashville, TN
Kelly Askins
Co-Clerk, Memphis Friends Meeting
Memphis, TN
Imam Ossama Bahloul, PhD
Resident Scholar, Islamic Center of Nashville
Nashville, TN
Pastor Doug Banister
All Souls Church
Knoxville, TN
Rev. Tonya Barnette
Church of the Savior UCC
Knoxville, TN
Rev. Dr. David Barr
St. George’s Episcopal Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Ann Bassett
Peace Lutheran Church
Spring Hill, TN
Rev. Laura Becker
Northminster Presbyterian Church
Chattanooga, TN
Rev. Mark Beckman
St. Henry Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Austin Becton
Good Shepherd Anglican Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. John Beeler
Associate Pastor, Central Baptist Church Fountain City
Knoxville, TN
Rev. Dr. Rick Bennett
TN Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Maryville, TN
Rev. Sarah Bird Kneff
First Presbyterian Church
Columbia, TN
The Rev. Dr. Kristine Blaess
Rector. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Murfreesboro, TN
Rev. Courtney Bowen
Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church
Jackson, TN
Rev. Dexter Brewer
Nashville TN
Rev. Danny Bryant
St. Mary of Bethany Parish
Nashville, TN
Rev. Lee Camp
Church of Christ
Nashville, TN
Rev. Dr. Marvin Cameron
Pastor
Kingsport, TN
Rev. Elliott Cherry
Midtown Fellowship, 12 South
Nashville, TN
Rev. Larry M. Chitwood
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. Barbara Clark
Trinity United Methodist Church
Knoxville, TN
Rev. Molly Conaway
Lead Pastor
Crossings Church
Knoxville, TN
Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Cook
Senior Pastor, Second Baptist Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. Cheryl Cornish
First Congregational Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. Dr. Peggy Jean Craig
Senior Pastor, Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Germantown
Germantown, TN
Rev. Keri Cress
East End United Methodist Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Dr. Judy D. Cummings
New Covenant Christian Church (Ret.)
& Past President, Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship
Nashville, TN
Rabbi Lindsay Danziger
Union for Reform Judaism
Nashville, TN
Rabbi Michael Danziger
The Temple – Congregation Ohabai Sholom
Nashville, TN
Dr. Claire Davidson Frederick
All Saints Church of Christ
Mt. Juliet, TN
Rev. Chase Daws
RUF – Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Rev. Adam DeVries
Presbyter, Presbytery of Middle Tennessee
Nashville, TN
Rev. Sonnye Dixon
Hobson United Methodist Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Dr. Donovan Drake
Pastor & Head of Staff
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Gracie Dugan
Belle Meade United Methodist Church, Pastor to Children and Families
Nashville, TN
Rev. Dr. Mika Edmondson
Koinonia Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Ed Eubanks
Trinity Reformed Church
Rossville, TN
Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher
Senior Pastor, Abyssinian Baptist Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. Troy D. Forrester
Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Rev. Lee Fox
Ball Camp Baptist Church
Knoxville, TN
Rev. Canon Anna Russell Friedman
Christ Church Cathedral
Nashville, TN
Rev. Francisco García
St. Augustine’s Episcopal Chapel
Nashville, TN
Rev. Dave Gerber
Hospice Chaplain
Nashville, TN
Rev. Laura F. Gettys
Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. John Gill
Church of the Savior UCC
Knoxville, TN
The Rev. J. Malone Gilliam
Rector. St. George’s Episcopal Church
Nashville, TN
Rabbi Shana Goldstein Mackler
The Temple – Congregation Ohabai Sholom
Nashville, TN
Rev. Julian Gordy
Retired Bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Synod
Southeast Region (TN/AL/GA/MS)
Rev. Morgan Gordy
Assistant to the Bishop for Disaster Ministries, ELCA Southeastern Synod
Southeast Region (TN/AL/GA/MS)
Katie Gossage
Associate Director of Youth & Programming Westminster Presbyterian Church of Nashville
Nashville, TN
Dr. Josh Graves
Otter Creek Church
Brentwood and Nashville, TN
Rev. Dr. William Green
Tabernacle of Glory
Nashville, TN
Rabbi Micah D Greenstein
Temple Israel
Memphis, TN
Jennifer A. Hackett, M.Div.
Community Minister
Nashville, TN
Mallory Hammond
Directory of Ministry to Children and their Families
Nashville, TN
Rev. Dr. Stephen Handy
McKendree UMC
Nashville, TN
Rev. Claire Harris Kramer
Validated Ministry, Presbytery of Middle TN
Nashville, TN
Rev. Stacey Harwell-Dye
West End United Methodist Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Jonathan Haskell
Knoxville, TN
Lori Haskell
Director of Programs, The Restoration House
Knoxville, TN
Rev. Jedediah Haynes
Belle Meade United Methodist Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Richard B. Hays
George Washington Ivey Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Duke University
Nashville, TN
Rev. Anthony D. Henderson
Pastor, Beulah Baptist Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. Anthony Hendricks
Co-Founder, The Public
Franklin, TN
Rev. Kay Hereford
United Methodist Church – Retired
Nashville, TN
Rev. John Hill
Crievewood United Methodist Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Judi Hoffman
St. John’s United Methodist Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. Timothy Holton
The Berlin Circuit of the United Methodist Church
Marshall County, TN
Rev. Randy Hoover-Dempsey
Retired Priest, Diocese of Tennessee
Madison, TN
Rev. Heidi Hudnut-Beumler
Associate Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. James Hudnut-Beumler
Presbyter, Presbytery of Middle TN
Nashville, TN
Dr. Richard Hughes
All Saints Church of Christ
Nashville, TN
Rev. Daniel Johnson
Associate Pastor, Second Baptist Church
Memphis, TN
Fr. Michael Johnston
Retired, Diocese of Nashville
Nashville, TN
Rev. Margery Kennelly
St. George’s Episcopal Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Richard Kew
Priest Associate, St. George’s Episcopal Church
Nashville, TN
Fr. Pat Kibby
St. Henry Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Kat Spangler Kimmel
First Baptist Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. David Knox
Youth Minister, Otter Creek Church Brentwood
Brentwood, TN
Rev. Dr. Lillian Lammers
First Presbyterian Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. Dr. Will Lauderback
Senior Associate Pastor, First-Centenary UMC
Chattanooga, TN
Rev. Steven Lefebre
Youth Pastor, Bethlehem United Methodist Church
Franklin, TN
Rev. Randy Lovelace
Christ Community Church
Franklin, TN
Rev. Hester Mathes
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. Janet Maykus
Eastwood Christian Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Mary Beth Meadows
Christian Community Development Association
Blount County, TN
Rev. Evan McCarthy
Midtown Fellowship Church – West
Nashville, TN
Rev. Charles David McClain
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
McMinnville, TN
Rev. Jodi McCullah (Ret.)
United Methodist Elder
Monteagle, TN
Rev. Samantha McGlothlin
Belle Meade United Methodist Church
Nashville, TN
Fr. Joe McMahon
Pastor, Holy Family Catholic Church
Brentwood, TN
Rev. Laura K. McMasters
First United Methodist Church
Pulaski, TN
Rev. Jason Mikel
Jenkins Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Nolensville, TN
Rev. Zachary Moffatt
First United Methodist Church
Pulaski, TN
Rev. Thomas A. Momberg
All Saints’ Episcopal Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. Dr. Ryan Moore
First Presbyterian Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Dr. Eli Morris
Senior Associate Pastor, Hope Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. Dr. Scott Morris
Church Health Center
Memphis, TN
Rev. Dr. Toby Mueller
Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church
Franklin, TN
Rick Musacchio
Executive Director, Tennessee Catholic Conference
Nashville, TN
The Rev. Joshua Narcisse
Idlewild Presbyterian Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. Jonathan Nash
Midtown Fellowship, Napier
Nashville, TN
Rev. Mark Nelson
Three Rivers Collaborative
Knoxville, TN
The Rev. Joshua Nobles
Senior Pastor, Charlotte Fagan Community Church
Charlotte, TN
Rev. Bonnie Oliver-Brandon
Senior Associate Minister, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Pkwy
Memphis, TN
Rev. Scott Owings
Center for Contemplative Justice
St. Augustine’s Chapel
Nashville, TN
Pastor Meredith Pace
Neighborhood Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. Flo Paris Oaks
St. Mary of Bethany Parish
Nashville, TN
Mr. Jonathan Peer
Director, Navigators International Student Ministry
Nashville, TN
The Rev. Sarah Puryear
St. George’s Episcopal Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Lilia Ramirez
Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA)
Nashville, TN
Rev. Robert E. Rhea
Vicar, All Saints Episcopal Church
Murfreesboro, TN
Rabbi Laurie Rice
Congregation Micah
Nashville, TN
Rabbi Philip “Flip” Rice
Congregation Micah
Nashville, TN
Rev. Dr. Kevin Riggs
Franklin Community Church
Franklin, TN
Rev. Ellen D. Roberds
Memphis, TN
Rev. Rick Roberts
Pastor, St. John’s Lutheran Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Rich Robinson
Milldale Presbyterian Church
Springfield, TN
Rev. Larissa Romero
Interim Pastor, Downtown Presbyterian Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. David Rubio
Youth Pastor, Otter Creek Church Brentwood
Brentwood, TN
The Rev. Dorothy Sanders Wells
St. George’s Episcopal Church
Germantown, TN
Rev. Josh Scott
GracePointe Church
Nashville, TN
Johnny Sears
Director, The Academy for Spiritual Formation
Nashville, TN
Rev. Mary Sellers Shaw
Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church
Franklin, TN
Rabbi Michael Shulman
The Temple – Congregation Ohabai Sholom
Nashville, TN
Rev. Serena Sides
Interim Rector
St. Bartholomew’s Church
Rev. Lissa Smith
Christ Church Cathedral
Nashville, TN
Rev. Michael A. Smith
Retired Pastor
Knoxville, TN
Rev. Dr. Molly Dale Smith
Retired Priest, Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee
Nashville, TN
Rev. Scotty Smith
Founding Pastor, Christ Community Church
Teacher in Residence, West End Community Church
Rev. Ann Sonderquist (Ret.)
Minister of the Word & Sacrament
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Nashville, TN
The Most Reverend J. Mark Spalding
Bishop of Nashville
Nashville, TN
Dr. Clay Stauffer
Woodmont Christian Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Becca Stevens
Chaplain, St. Augustine Chapel at Vanderbilt Founder & President of Thistle Farms
Nashville, TN
The Most Reverend Richard F. Stika
Bishop of Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Rabbi Saul Strosberg
Congregation Sherith Israel
Nashville, TN
The Most Reverend David P. Talley
Bishop of Memphis
Memphis, TN
Rev. Ray Thomas
Presbytery of Middle TN (PCUSA)
Nashville, TN
Andrew Thompson
Youth Minister, Lebanon Road Church of Christ
Nashville, TN
Rev. Marjorie J Thompson
Minister of Word & Sacrament (Retired – Presbyterian Church USA)
Nashville, TN
Rev. Rachel Thompson Orfield
Harpeth Presbyterian Church
Brentwood, TN
Rev. John Tirro
St. John’s Lutheran Church
Knoxville, TN
Rev. Leslie Traylor
PC (USA)
Old Hickory, TN
Rev. Paul Tucker
Brush Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Nashville, TN
The Rev. Courtnay Veazey
Idlewild Presbyterian Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. Scott Walters
Calvary Episcopal Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. Celita White
Berean Missionary Baptist Church
Memphis, TN
Rev. Chase Whiting
Student Minister, Woodmont Hills Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. John H. White
Pastor, First Presbyterian Church
Jackson, TN
Rev. Dr. Donna K. Whitney
Metropolitan Interdenominational Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Matt Wilber
Highland Heights Church of Christ
Smyrna, TN
Rev. Dr. Chris Williamson
Strong Tower Bible Church
Nashville, TN
Pastor Brian Wilmoth
United Church of Cookeville
Cookeville, TN
Rev. Edward Wolff (Ret.)
Jonesborough, TN
Rev. Cheryl F. Wood
Retired United Methodist Clergy
Columbia, TN
Rev. Darren Wright
Pastor, Connection UMC
Nashville, TN
Rev. Dr. Stephanie Wyatt
Associate Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church
Nashville, TN
Rev. Dr. Stephen Yates
Minister of the Word and Sacrament PC (USA)
Tullahoma, TN
Dr. John York
Hazelip School of Theology
Nashville, TN