Local churches to remember lives lost to gun violence

Below is an article in today's edition of the Grand Haven Tribune about one of the ministries of our parish.

An art installation of 1,406 individually made origami soul boxes – each honoring a life lost to gun violence – will go on display at Timberlake Hall in St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven this month.

Nearly 1,500 handmade origami soul boxes will be on display at local churches in the coming months.

This installation will be unveiled with an opening reception on Saturday, Jan. 31 from 1-3 p.m. There will be music and light refreshments. The event is free and open to the public.

The Soul Box Project is the culmination of work by hundreds of local community members. It was launched last year locally by Gun Violence Prevention Teams of St. John’s Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church of the Dunes in Grand Haven. The 1,406 soul boxes made by these volunteers represent the average number of deaths due to gun violence annually in the state of Michigan. The project, part of a national effort, seeks to educate communities on the impacts of gun violence.

The project installation will remain at the church for viewing from the reception through Feb. 15. On that date, the exhibit it will move to the United Methodist Church of the Dunes in Grand Haven. There, it will be installed in the sanctuary for a special worship service on Sunday, Feb. 22. After this service, the exhibit will remain displayed in the church’s lounge.

All are invited to view the soul box display during all stages of the unveiling events; all are free and open to the public.

For more information, about the national Soul Box Project, see soulboxproject.us. For information about the local events, contact Valerie Martin at 326valmartin@gmail.com.