Kelly Gissendaner - #kellyonmymind

11/06/2025

11/06/2025

Friends, please join us this Saturday, 1-5:30 p.m. in person or online for a series of conversations about the death penalty and meaningful life, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Kelly Gissendaner's ex*****on. This will be a powerful time to gather and learn together.

On November 8, Candler community members will gather to reflect on advocacy against the death penalty and to remember Kelly Gissendaner.

07/10/2022

I have written a book that publishes the letters between Kelly and German theologian Jürgen Moltmann and that tells her story. It is now out and available on amazon or at Wipf and Stock (links below). So many of you were a part of this work.

As I say in the introduction, I am only one character in this story, and there are many other people connected to Kelly who also have stories to tell. I hope this book inspires us to keep sharing our stories.

This book tells the story of Kelly Gissendaner, the only woman on Georgia’s death row until her ex*****on in 2015, and highlights the role theological studies played in her faith and in advocacy efforts on her behalf. Central to the book is the written correspondence between Kelly and Germa...

07/07/2022

I have written a book that publishes the letters between Kelly and German theologian Jürgen Moltmann and that tells her story. It is now out and available on amazon or at Wipf and Stock (links below). So many of you were a part of this work. My great hope is that it might be used as a resource in our ongoing work of abolishing the death penalty.

If you live in a death penalty state or are interested more broadly in creating cultures that practice justice without condemnation, please consider engaging this book with your community. Consider hosting a congregational or community book study, concluding with a panel of people who can help guide the work of abolition in your state: defense lawyers, elected officials, religious leaders doing on the ground ministry, and formerly incarcerated persons directly impacted by the prison system. I would be happy to be a part of these — or other — conversations in whatever way seems best (and can send along suggested discussion questions).

As I say in the introduction, I am only one character in this story, and there are many other people connected to Kelly who also have stories to tell. I hope this book inspires us to keep sharing our stories.

This book tells the story of Kelly Gissendaner, the only woman on Georgia’s death row until her ex*****on in 2015, and highlights the role theological studies played in her faith and in advocacy efforts on her behalf. Central to the book is the written correspondence between Kelly and Germa...

07/04/2022

Dear Friends and Supporters of Kelly,

I have written a book that publishes the letters between Kelly and German theologian Jürgen Moltmann and that tells her story. It is now out and available on amazon or at Wipf and Stock (links below). So many of you were a part of this work. My great hope is that it might be used as a resource in our ongoing work of abolishing the death penalty.

If you live in a death penalty state or are interested more broadly in creating cultures that practice justice without condemnation, please consider engaging this book with your community. Consider hosting a congregational or community book study, concluding with a panel of people who can help guide the work of abolition in your state: defense lawyers, elected officials, religious leaders doing on the ground ministry, and formerly incarcerated persons directly impacted by the prison system. I would be happy to be a part of these — or other — conversations in whatever way seems best (and can send along suggested discussion questions).

As I say in the introduction, I am only one character in this story, and there are many other people connected to Kelly who also have stories to tell. I hope this book inspires us to keep sharing our stories.

This book tells the story of Kelly Gissendaner, the only woman on Georgia’s death row until her ex*****on in 2015, and highlights the role theological studies played in her faith and in advocacy efforts on her behalf. Central to the book is the written correspondence between Kelly and Germa...

02/10/2017

"Mississippi lawmakers are advancing a proposal to add firing squad, electrocution and gas chamber as ex*****on methods in case a court blocks the use of lethal injection drugs."

Mississippi lawmakers are advancing a proposal to add firing squad, electrocution and gas chamber as ex*****on methods in case a court blocks the use of lethal injection drugs.

02/03/2017

With a Georgia lawmaker leading …

02/02/2017

The work to end the death penalty in Georgia continues. We are bringing evangelical writer and speaker Shane Claiborne to Atlanta, Athens, and Macon this weekend to talk about the death penalty and Christian faith. He will be in conversation with Kayla Gissendaner, Kelly's daughter; Jameca McGhee, daughter of Raymond Burgess; Billy Neal Moore, who served 16 years on Georgia's death row; and Mercer Law professor Sarah Gerwig-Moore.

Shane was a critical part of our work in the campaign. And now he's helping us to push this movement forward. If you're near Atlanta, Athens, or Macon, please join us for these important conversations, and please help us to get the word out!

(Details of each event will be posted in the comments below, and I'll post them separately on this page so they can be easily shared.) http://candler.emory.edu/news/releases/2017/01/claiborne-executing-grace.html

Candler's James T. and Berta R. Laney Legacy in Moral Leadership and the school's Social Concerns Network are spearheading a three-city tour on the death penalty Feb. 3-4, featuring noted author and activist Shane Claiborne.

07/11/2016

This is important, and hopeful. And yet, in Georgia, on Thursday, we could see the SIXTH ex*****on in SIX months. Heartbreaking. Violent. Wrong.

Although nearly 3,000 people are on death row in America, there has not been an ex*****on in the country for two months — and few ex*****ons are expected in the coming months.

07/08/2016

Are you at the Festival this weekend? If so, check out the panel tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 pm in the Justice Tent on "Storytelling as Activism Against the Machine of Death." The panel will include reflections on the activism that emerged in support of Kelly Gissendaner, including the powerful witness of many of you who were connected through this page. The panel includes Dr. Melissa Browning, from McAfee School of Theology; Nikki Roberts, a graduate of the Certificate in Theological Studies program at Arrendale; and Shane Claiborne.

04/15/2016

The Intercept covers the long history of vigils against the death penalty in Georgia. “When they sign the death warrant, they say it’s being done in the name of Georgians,” said Kathryn Hamoudah, chairperson of Georgians For Alternatives to the Death Penalty. “Actually, no — you’re not doing this in the name of all Georgians. And we’re going to hold you accountable for this.”

Standing watch outside a Georgia prison, protesters bear witness to the state’s fourth ex*****on in 2016.

04/05/2016

Hello! Faith in Public Life is asking for clergy to sign a letter in opposition to a bill in Virginia to bring back the electric chair. in particular, we encourage clergy from Virginia or who live in Virginia to sign. https://www.facebook.com/clergyagainstvirginiaelectricchairbill/

Please join me in signing a letter to Gov. McAuliffe through Faith in Public Life against the bill to bring back the electric chair.