James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage at Massanetta Springs

09/24/2025 - 09/27/2025

Admission

$300.00 - Commuter
$475.00 - Double Occupancy Shared Bathroom
$540.00 - Single Occupancy Shared Bathroom

Location

Summary

Faith-based training and continuing education for clergy and lay leaders for practical, pastoral and prophetic ways to engage congregations in an effective ministry of gun violence prevention. Costs include registration, lodging and meals per person. There is a commuter option as well. Participants are responsible for their own travel to Massanetta Springs in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, two hours from Washington, DC. For scholarship requests, use this link: https://bit.ly/25scholarship

Description

If your Christian faith calls you to help prevent gun violence, please join us for the Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage to gain practical skills, courage and friends for the ministry of GVP with congregations. We encourage teams from congregations and communities where possible. Cost includes registration fee, lodging and meals per person, all inclusive. Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel. A commuter option with registration, commuter fee and meals only is also offered. Because we are near Washington, DC, the 2025 Atwood Institute will be especially rich in top-notch leadership, with training for you by the best leaders in the Gun Violence Prevention Community. Our keynote speaker, Rev. Sharon Risher, will show us the importance of sharing our own stories rather than relying only on statistics. You will learn skills ranging from how to use a chop saw to dismantle an unwanted gun to how to preach and speak effectively on this issue to how to respond to gun violence in your own community.
This game-changing event dares to believe, as Jim Atwood did, that the church is the key ingredient for changing our culture and laws to one that values every life and takes action to save lives from gun violence. Thanks to help from sponsors, we do have scholarship assistance! Preference is given to those who come as part of a team from their congregation or community, or those with special fiancial needs. For questions or suggestions, contact gvp@presbypeacefellowship.org For scholarships, apply here.