Chappaqua Church Uses Prayer, Song in Fight Against Gun Violence
By Anna Young
Faith and music filled the First Congregational Church of Chappaqua Sunday afternoon with hopes that the words spoken and sung in the sanctuary and across the country will result in a safer future.
The church was one of about 350 venues across the United States that hosted The Concert Across America to End Gun Violence.
Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Martha Jacobs said she was proud the church hosted the event, hoping it will be the first of many gatherings uniting the community for the common goal to “turn up the music and turn down the hate.”
The campaign is an effort to link communities nationwide to remember those who lost their lives due to gun violence. By using social media to cover each concert live, the goal was to reach millions of people to raise awareness and eliminate preventable incidents.
“Gun violence spans every age, every neighborhood, every ethnicity and every culture,” Jacobs said. “Music is one of two universal languages that can transcend barriers and boundaries.”
Those words spoke volumes when the congregation rose to sing “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
The concert featured members of The Chappaqua Orchestra, the Horace Greeley Madrigal singers, FCC Minister of Music Keith Robelland, the church’s Chancel Choir, Cantor Star Trumpter from Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester and Chappaqua resident Dave Bickler, an FCC congregant and former member of the band Survivor.
Bickler, who performed two songs during the event, said he was motivated to get involved because of his frustration that nothing sensible has been done to stop gun violence.
“It feels good to be a part of this,” said Bickler, who hopes to participate in future events. “Maybe this could help.”
Uncertain of the kind of crowd the concert might attract, Jacobs made sure New Castle police were present. Some threats had been made toward participants at other venues around the country. Roughly 100 community members of all ages attended the FCC concert.
“I wouldn’t have missed this show for the world,” said one Chappaqua resident.
“This is such a divisive issue and at some point enough is enough,” Jacobs said.
This event was co-sponsored by the Town of New Castle, the Chappaqua Interfaith Council, Chappaqua Cares, the Upper Westchester Muslin Society, Million Mom March and Temple Beth El.
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