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Welcome to the April 2010 Equipping for Peacemaking Network E-Newsletter. Our hope is to help bring attention to resources that relate to the work of the ELCA Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence (2001-2010). Included in this monthly e-newsletter are events and resources that can be used at the small group, congregational and individual level. Thank you for being part of the network! CLICK HERE to find additional resources and enroll in the E4P network.
In this issue:
WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
Visit the World Council of Churches' Ecumenical Prayer Cycle web site. This site lifts up a different area of the world each week and provides prayers for personal and congregational use. Prayers are available two weeks in advance. Prayers for this month include:
Mar. 29 - Apr. 4: Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore
Apr. 5 - 11: East Timor Indonesia, Philippines
Apr. 12 - 18: Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan
Apr. 19 - 25: Djibouti, Somalia
Apr. 26 - May 2: Eritrea, Ethiopia
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April is National Child Abuse Awareness Month
Since 1983, April has been designated as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Plan today to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and encourage individuals, families, congregations and community organizations to support healthy growth and development of children and families during the month of April by:
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Earth Day - April 22, 2010
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Participate in scheduled activities in your congregation and community or organize your own.
Download National Council of Churches' 2010 resource "Sacred Spaces and an Abundant Life: Worship Spaces as Stewardship - ELCA"
Visit Caring for Creation, an ELCA Advocacy website.
Purchase a leader's guide and participant materials, "Awakening to God's Call to Earthkeeping," from Augsburg Fortress Publishers.
DOWNLOAD a copy of the ELCA Social Statement, "Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope and Justice."
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Rachel's Day - May 2, 2010
Plan now, to observe Rachel's Day in your congregation. Since July 1996, the Women of the ELCA have designated the first Sunday in May as "Rachel's Day." Based on Jeremiah 31:15-17, this commemoration is a time to mourn the loss of our children to violence and commit to ways of supporting and encouraging children, families and parents. It can also be a time to honor the children in our lives.
How can you participate in Rachel's Day?
+ organize a "blue ribbon of hope" campaign in your congregation and
community;
+ use the Rachel's Day litany in worship'
+ offer prayers of support for children, parents and families in crisis:
+ gather a Thankoffering for women and children in crisis;
+ host a parenting forum;
+ visit the WELCA Rachel's Day website.
Don't forget to identify someone to take photos and write an article about your activities to be included in your congregational newsletter and the Equipping for Peacemaking E-Newsletter.
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Churches for Middle East Peace Advocacy Conference - June 13-15, 2010
You are invited to CMEP'S 2010 Advocacy Conference, Pursuing Peace Together: Working for Reconciliation in the Holy Land, to learn, increase your skills, network and advocate for peace with justice in the Holy Land. The conference will be June 13-15, 2010 at the Kellogg Conference Hotel in Washington, DC.
Visit the website for more information or to register for the conference.
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Lutherans Visit Senegal to Learn About Peace-Building
From ELCA News Service:
Senegal is a place where Christians and Muslims co-exist. To learn more about life there, 10 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) journeyed through the western African country to learn about peace-building at the intersection of faith and life. MORE....
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ELCA Middle East Network Newsletter
In the March 11 issue of the Middle East Network Newsletter:
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Jill Biden Visits Augusta-Victoria Hospital
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Churches for Middle East Peace Co-Sponsors Congressional Trip
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Save the date: CMEP Annual Conference, Washington, DC, June 13-15, 2010
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Let Your Voice be Heard: Sign CMEP Petition on Gaza
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New Resources for Peace Not Walls
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Kairos Palestine Update
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Isreal Adds West Bank Sites to National Heritage List
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Gender-Based Violence Threatens Integrity of Life and Faith
From World Council of Churches Decade to Overcome Violence News:
On International Women's Day, 8 March, ecumenical leaders have urged churches to work to end violence against women in its many forms across the world.
"Violence and fear of violence blights the lives of many girls and women around the world," said the Rev. Michael Wallace, MORE....
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Conversation Changers in Our World
Written by Rev. Bonita Bock, member of the ELCA Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence Senegal Immersion team, for the ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod Newsletter:
Interfaith dialogue is a "conversation changer," moving us toward cooperation and service, which is of particular interest to young adults today says Interfaith Youth Core founder Iboo Patel. This is a big change from the lack of trust that often characterizes meetings in which different religions participate. But it fits perfectly with the Vision, Passion, Action initiative in which the rocky Mountain Synod is engaged. It was with vision and passion that ten members of the ELCA traveled to Senegal in February to be immersed in Christian-Muslim dialogue and MORE....
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Help Grow the Equip4Peace Network
Looking forward to blooming flowers, budding trees and green grass? As we dream of spring and imagine what we'll plant in our gardens this year, why not also think about growing the Equipping for Peacemaking Network! Invite others to join by forwarding this newsletter to your family and friends and encouraging them to enroll in the network. And, share the following item in your congregational or organizational newsletter next month:
ELCA Equipping for Peacemaking Network
Sign up today at http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Decade-for-Nonviolence/Join-the-E4P-Network.aspx to become part of the ELCA Equipping for Peacemaking Network and receive a free monthly e-newsletter! This informative newsletter contains stories relating to peacemaking activities, links to news items and peace and justice organizations, schedules of events and training opportunities, information about new resources and much more. The mission of the Equip4Peace Network is to connect, inform, encourage and inspire all who are working for peace. To read a copy of the current e-newsletter, see http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Decade-for-Nonviolence/Newsletter.aspx.
For more information, visit the website at http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Decade-for-Nonviolence.aspx or contact Jean Morehouse, Network Coordinator, at jean.morehouse@hotmail.com.
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ELCA Global Mission Gatherings in 2010
Deepen your understanding of the changing context and practice of global mission, enjoy great food and music, meet others who share your passion for ministry. Attend one of the following Global Mission Gatherings in 2010:
April 16-17, Chicagoland Area, IL
April 23-24, Northwest, WI
June 18-19, Newington, NH
July 16-17, Austin, MN
August 6-7, Billings, MT
September 10-11, Lexington, SC
October 1-2, Grand Forks, ND
October 8-9, Milwaukee, WI
November 12-13, Camp Hill, PA
For more information, please email GlobalMissionInfo@elca.org or call Mia Cortez at 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2642.
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Peace Notes and Quotes
If you have a favorite quote or want to share a brief thought about peacemaking, please send your contribution to Jean Morehouse, Equipping for Peacemaking Program Coordinator.
APRIL PEACE QUOTE:
"If we desire peace, we must prepare for peace. The most important thing is to build a culture of peace." Anwarul Chowdhury
From Quotes for Peace, Be a Hero for a Better World
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Go in peace and serve the Lord!
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