August 8, 2008

DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA – A New Orleans parish has launched a special "Horns for Guns" collection for August 17, Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana Bishop Charles Jenkins has noted in a letter to local clergy and lay people.

"I would like to bring your attention again to Fr. Bill Terry's ‘Horns for Guns' program in conjunction with the New Orleans Police Department," Jenkins writes in his letter, posted on the diocesan website.

"This initiative was born out of St. Anna's mission to the musicians and is really a youth mentoring program. The initial phase asks youth of New Orleans to turn in their guns in exchange for musical training and counseling. This will happen on September 6.

"Fr. Terry needs slightly used or new instruments, or a monetary donation to purchase them. Please consider a special collection on August 17 at your services to allow for your parishioners to participate in this important ministry.

"Please ship donated instruments by September 3 to St. Anna's Episcopal Church, 1313 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70116. Or, if possible, drop them by the church directly. For further information please phone 504.947-2121.

"Please bring this to the attention of your parishes," Jenkins wrote. "They have been so generous, and this is an opportunity to make our city a little safer."

"Horns for Guns" is a gun-buyback program that could take up to 300 guns off New Orleans' streets.

The goal of "Horns for Guns" is to reduce violence in the city and provide a creative, constructive outlet to the city's youth by trading guns for musical instruments, musical training and opportunities for counseling.

More information about Horns for Guns may be obtained by contacting Heather Parker at the diocesan offices, or by email to hparker@edola.org.

To view the Horns for Guns flyer click at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/edola.org/doc/HornsForGuns.

Episcopal News Service