Gun Violence Prevention: Bell Tolling & Noon Eucharist
In recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Day, all are invited to gather outside at the North Porch (near the admin building circle drive) at 11:30 am for a welcome and short program as The Bourdon Bell tolls for ten minutes to remember and honor victims of gun violence.
Following the bell tolling is a special “Wear Orange” Noon Holy Eucharist in Bethlehem Chapel. The color orange has become the defining color of the movement for gun violence prevention and is worn to recognize the roughly 106 lives that are killed each day.
The Cathedral Congregation’s Gun Violence Prevention Ministry invites all to attend this service featuring prayers, liturgy and opportunity for deep reflection for those whose lives have been impacted by gun violence. A special message will be offered by the Rev. Delonte J. Gholston. All who seek a deeper relationship with God in Christ are welcome to receive Communion.
About the Guest Speaker
The Rev. Delonte J Gholston is a native Washingtonian whose parents moved to the city to escape racial terrorism in South Carolina and Georgia. He is faithfully and joyfully married to Claire Wiggins Gholston. Together they have two daughters, Evyn (8) and Olive (5), and a newborn son, Shepherd (1). They live in Ward 7 where Pastor Delonte shepherds Peace Fellowship Church and serves as the Executive Director of Just Peace Ministries. Just Peace Ministries convenes PeaceWalksDC, a coalition of churches, community organizations, survivors and advocates committed to ending police and community violence. Pastor Delonte is a public theologian, a songwriter and musician who loves singing and preaching about the change we want to see in this world. He has spoken at Howard University, The University of Chicago, George Washington University, Pomona College, Cal State LA, Claremont Theological Seminary, UCLA , USC, and Clemson University. His work has been featured in the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, The Los Angeles Sentinel, the LA Times, and The Washington Informer. He is also a proud alumnus of DC public schools, Swarthmore College and Fuller Theological Seminary.