Memorial for the Lost
Honoring Connecticut victims of gun violence
The Memorial of the Lost raises awareness of all those who are affected by gun violence. The memorial is a tribute to those lost to gun violence in 2022 across Connecticut.
This traveling memorial will visit St. Michael’s Litchfield from August 23 – September 4.
On May 13-14, the larger community was welcomed to Camp Washington in Morris, a summer camp and retreat center that is part of the Episcopal family. The first day and sleepover for middle and high school youths was an event called a Weekend of Hope and Transformation. The group gathered for an evening of engaging conversation with Keynote Speaker Shane Claiborne, a prominent speaker, activist, and best-selling author, followed by group art projects and talk around the campfire. The art projects consisted of creating a long row of white shirts erected on the meadow, representing those who had died from gunfire.
The next day, adults joined in to share words by victims and survivors of gun violence, thoughtful conversation around mental health, safe gun storage and suicide prevention. Other powerful speakers included Sean Reeves Sr. from S.P.O.R.T. Academy in New Haven and Right Reverend James E. Curry, co-founder of Swords to Plowshares Northeast. Shane Claiborne offered words of change and a call to action. The action taken was to eventually dismantle the “Memorial of the Lost” and bring it to other churches for two weeks each.
