January 2008
Equipping for Peacemaking E-Newsletter
Welcome to the January 2008 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! Forward this to your friends and encourage them to sign up for the network as well. You can find additional resources and sign up for the network at http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Decade-for-Nonviolence/Join-the-E4P-Network.aspx
In this E-Newsletter you will find information about:
Love Thy Neighbor "Living Nonviolence Summer Camp"
The "Living Nonviolence Summer Camp" organized by Love Thy Neighbor and held at Hope Lutheran School in Ramallah, Palestine last summer was a huge success thanks to donations from churches and individuals and hundreds of volunteer hours donated during the development of the curriculum for the program. Twenty-four children ages 9 through 11 participated in this pilot project. The principal of Hope Lutheran School has already asked Love They Neighbor to return and share this program with three schools in 2008. To view a video of the experience, click here.
The mission of Love Thy Neighbor is "to provide educational resources and programs about the plight of Palestinians in Palestine/Israel and to support both peoples' deepening commitment to nonviolence as the way to bring a just peace for themselves and their neighbors." If you would like to support this effort or obtain more information about the Living Nonviolence Summer Camp or Love Thy Neighbor, visit the website or contact Tarek Abuata, Director and Equipping for Peacemaking-I participant.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - January 21, 2008
2008 marks the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Honor his legacy by organizing or participating in community activities related to building "The Beloved Community." Invite your family and friends to attend a prayer or worship service, engage in a day of community service, take time to reflect on the six principles of nonviolence, challenge local businesses and schools to honor this special day.
For more information about the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. visit The King Center website. To find resources related to the Martin Luther King Day of Service, click here.
To SHARE YOUR STORY (and photos!) about participation in Martin Luther King, Jr. Day activities with other members of the Equipping for Peacemaking Network, contact Jean Morehouse, Network Coordinator.
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Christian Peace Witness for Iraq
Lutherans are at the heart of a hopeful, new ecumenical effort with Christian Peace Witness for Iraq. We're forming local, volunteer teams across the country to work on the following:
> Connecting with others locally to offer a welcoming space for many frustrated and anguished Christians to express their desire for peace in vigils, witness, etc.
> Becoming part of a growing local peace witness culminating in a Lenten 'wave' of activity from Christians across the country -- a Sunday peace worship service, a vigil following the worship or in a public space, a choir festival, a nonviolent public action, or visits to congressional offices to express concerns. Some folks are hosting vigils after worship in January or February to get things rolling.
> Encouraging folks to travel to Washington, DC on March 7th for Christian Peace Witness followed by an Interfaith gathering near the Capitol building, to include speakers, music and nonviolent action.
> Planning follow-up activities in the spring and summer with a focus on urging Members of Congress to speak out on peace.
Are you concerned about the war? Wondering how you, your friends, and/or your congregation might respond more effectively? To help people get started, CPWI has planned a series of conference calls beginning in January, to discuss the coordination of activities with folks across the U.S. These conversations are a chance for you to join with others for inspiration and idea sharing. For more information, go to the CPWI website. For more on Lutheran involvement, contact Glen Gersmehl by phone at 206.720.0313 or by email.
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Conflict Transformation Workshop at Women of the ELCA Southwestern Texas Synodical Convention
Equipping for Peacemaking-II participants Dennis and Clarie Streng Broste and Patty Hoerig led a Conflict Transformation Workshop at the Women of the ELCA Southwestern Texas Synodical Convention in Austin, Texas on October 5 and 6, 2007. The workshop was attended by approximately 35 women.
The facilitators used the resource "How to be a Bridge in a World Full of Walls" to engage participants in conversation. During the opening, participants shared stories about conflicts they had experienced. These experiences included conflicts related to sibling/peer rivalry; expectations; road rage; conversations involving right versus wrong and different point of view; maturity conflicts; parent/child conflicts; and issues in the following settings: the workplace, at church, in neighborhoods, in families and in organizations.
Wallet card handouts were distributed to each person then discussed in small groups. The following topics emerged from these conversations: mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationships; impressions from TV shows; telephone response/miscommuni-cation; keeping responses light when in a conflicted situation; use prayer pause like a push button; and, most important, the topic of reconciliation: how, when, and why. The Austin Collaboration Group, a local organization, was lifted up as a place that provides opportunities for volunteer participation and the book Bullies to Buddies: How to Turn Your Enemies Into Friends by Izzy Kalman was highlighted as an appropriate print resource.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants felt the following insights from the group were important if a person wants to be a "bridge in a world full of walls:" listening carefully; tone of voice used during conversation; awareness of body language in self and others; respect of self (which can be a challenge if no foundation was built in family while growing up); and forgive/let go. Workshop participants also received copies of the Family Pledge of Nonviolence.
If you would like more information about this workshop, please contact Dennis Broste and Clarie Streng Broste or Patty Hoerig.
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Members of Equipping for Peacemaking Network Participate in October 27 Peace Rally in Des Moines, Iowa
Approximately 200 people, including The Rev. Vern Naffier and his wife, Joyce, who are members of the Equipping for Peacemaking network, participated in an October 27 Peace Rally in Des Moines, Iowa. The rally was planned by an ad hoc group of concerned citizens in the Des Moines area in connection with the International Day of Action for Peace sponsored nationally by United For Peace and Justice. Pastor Naffier chaired the task force and organized the speakers for the rally. Speakers included the mayor of Des Moines, a state legislator who is Muslim, mothers of soldiers fighting in Iraq/Afghanistan (including one whose son returned home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and took his own life), and students against the war. Pastor Naffier also designed and directed construction of fifty symbolic caskets draped with American and Iraqi flags, which were carried by marchers in a downtown street procession and placed on the steps of the capitol building.
Several churches and church ecumenical groups as well as non-religious organizations participated in the rally and march. The event received TV and newspaper coverage. To view a video clip of the rally, click here. To read an article from the Des Moines Register, click here.
For more information about this event, contact Vern and Joyce Naffier.
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Upcoming Peace Related Events at Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center
Feb. 1-3, 2008: "Tools for the Long Haul: Stories, Community, Action and Laughter!" Enjoy a weekend with Frieda Berrigan, young social activist, WMD analyst, writer and editor. This will be a time of sharing and story-telling, teaching and learning, spiritual reflection and preparation for action on the peacemaking journey.
Feb. 14-17, 2008: "Creating a Culture of Peace" During this interactive, experiential retreat, participants will explore the nature of violence and nonviolence, how social change occurs, and how to build communities of trust. It is an opportunity for spiritual renewal, strengthening of skills for nonviolent peace and justice work and will help participants plan concrete actions and peacemaking projects.
Feb. 22-24, 2008: "The Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Nonviolent Jesus" Author, pastor and activist John Dear will lead a Lenten weekend of prayer, reflection and bible study on the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus from the perspective of active nonviolence.
For further details about these and other peacemaking events at Kirkridge, contact Janet Chisholm, Peace and Justice Coordinator, by phone at 610-599-4606 or email or visit the website.
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War, Peace and God: Rethinking the Just-War Tradition
This new resource was written by Lutheran theologian Gary M. Simpson and published by Augsburg Fortress.
In the book, Simson re-thinks the traditional Lutheran acceptance of the Just-War Tradition from the perspective of pursuing 'just peacemaking.' Among the questions he addresses is whether Lutheran congregations can be peace churches within the Just-War Tradition. He also addresses the thorny question of humanitarian intervention (i.e. in places such as Darfur) from the perspective of whether states have a duty to protect civilians inside a country's border when the governments either cannot or will not do so.
To order the book, visit the Augsburg Fortress website.
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Fellowship of Reconciliation Seeks Nominations for
Annual Peace Prizes
Annually, the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) awards two peace prizes to individuals whose commitment to peace, justice and reconciliation is recognized as a life-long commitment. The awardees receive a cash prize and a commemorative scroll. Peace groups as well as individuals are encouraged to submit nominations for the 2008 awards.
To submit a name for consideration, indicate the award recommended (Pfeffer Peace Prize or King Peace Prize; see details here) and write a 150-300 word statement of the nominee’s work for peace and justice. Include the nominee's contact information and your own name as the nominator.
Send the information to FOR by mail at Development Office, P. O. Box 271, Nyack, NY 10960 or by email. The deadline for nominations is March 1, 2008.
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'Preaching Peace' Events
Jan. 12-15, Parkersburg, WV area: "Equipping the Saints for Peacemakers Witness" How can we guide the church away from the wrathful God of Constantinian Christianity and back into the arms of the loving, merciful God of Jesus? Experience one full day of interactive dialogue with current writers and proponents of this view of the saving work of Christ. Speakers include J. Denny Weaver, Mark Heim, and Michael Hardin.
Preaching Peace began in 2002, as a free website dedicated to bringing a holistic peace message. It currently serves 10,000 visitors a month. Inspired by the mimetic theory of Rene Girard and the Christian peace heritage, Preaching Peace offers commentary on the gospel lectionary texts from a peace perspective, a blog where pastors work out the implications of preaching peace, essays and sermons related to the mimetic theory and peacemaking, and a listing of numerous conferences and seminars bringing the best scholarship to churches around the country. The Preaching Peace team is available for weekend retreats, clergy ashrams and gatherings, and youth retreats.
Other Nonviolent Atonement Regional Seminars (one day events):
+ January 29 Iowa City, IA
+ February 19 Tampa, FL
+ March 16 Knoxville, TN
For more information no the upcoming events or to book a conference or seminar in your area, contact Preaching Peace by phone at 717.392.1550 or by
email or visit the
website.
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Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Thanks to Star McCain, an Equipping for Peacemaking-II participant and a member of the E4P Network for the following contribution:
Did you know that 2008 is the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Visit the Every Human Has Rights website.
Be sure to read the Declaration.
And then, if you feel fired up, visit WITNESS. According to the website, "WITNESS is an international human rights organization that uses video and online technologies to open the eyes of the world to human rights violations." WARNING: some items on this site may be shocking.
And then, find hope by visiting The Elders, world leaders who have "come together to guide and support our 'global village.'"
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2007 MediaWise Video Report Card
The National Institute on Media and the Family has released the 2007 MediaWise Video Report Card. Highlights include:
+ 1st Annual MediaWise-Harris Interactive Poll
+ Concerning trend: videogame tournaments to recruit youth
+ Increased family tension around games and game time
+ Results of the 2007 MediaWise Secret Shopper Survey
+ Recommendations for parents and the industry
According to the website, the mission of the National Institute on Media and the Family, is "to maximize the benefits and minimize the harm of media on the health and development of children and families." Visit the MediaWise website for more information.
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A Peace Crane Story and School Of the Americas Watch
Click here to read a story about someone who has been folding peace cranes daily then sending them to the White House as an act of resistance. Thanks to Joyce Ellwanger, an Equipping for Peacemaking-II participant and long-time peace activist who has been involved with the School of the Americas Watch for several years, for sharing this item.
According to the School of the Americas Watch website, the goal of the organization is "to close the SOA and to change U.S. foreign policy in Latin America by educating the public, lobbying Congress and participating in creative, nonviolent resistance." Small groups organize locally, then mobilize for direct action at the School of the Americas in Fort Benning, GA. Visit the website or contact Joyce Ellwanger for more information about this organization or its activities.
Click
here, to read
"A Thousand Cranes: Sadako Sasaki of Hiroshima," an informative article about Sadako Sasaki and the history and legend of the origami peace crane written by Lisa Bellan-Boyer, a member of the Equipping for Peacemaking Network. Find instructions for folding peace cranes
here or view animated instructions
here.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: The Peace Crane Story includes a reference to Walter Wink's book,
Jesus and Nonviolence: A Third Way, which is available through
Augsburg Fortress.
.
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Go in peace and serve the Lord!