Wear Orange originated on June 2, 2015, which would have been the 18th birthday of Hadiya Pendleton. Hadiya died after being shot in the back while visiting with friends at a park in Chicago. One week prior to her death, she performed at President Obama’s second inauguration.

Since 2015, the first weekend in June has been designated as Wear Orange Weekend. Throughout this weekend we remember the victims and honor survivors of gun violence. It is also a time to build community for those working to end gun violence.

Why orange? Orange is a bright, bold color. It is highly visible, thereby making it hard to ignore.

On Saturday, June 6, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Ferguson, we are hosting the first Guns to Garden event. Donations will be accepted from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Guns to Gardens is a national movement that encourages people to safely dispose of any unwanted guns. The guns parts are then made into garden tools or garden art. This is based on the Bible Verse, Isaiah 2:4. “Beat their swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks.”

People bring their unloaded guns to the event. Trained volunteers will dismantle them. The scraps are then sent to a blacksmith who repurposes them into something beautiful. For each donation the person will receive a $100 Aldi’s gift card. If you would like to donate to the gift card fund, go to Diocesemo.org and select the GIVE tab. Please mention that the donation is for the Guns to Gardens event.

On Sunday, June 7, our Cathedral will have a special liturgy at both the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services.

Later that day will be an interfaith community march in Webster Groves. This will start at 1:15 p.m. at Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, 45 W. Lockwood Ave. We will march east on Lockwood to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 9 S. Bompart Ave. People are encouraged to wear orange and carry signs. A rally with guest speakers will begin at Emmanual around 2:30 p.m.