June 2008
Equipping for Peacemaking E-Newsletter
Welcome to the June 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. To find additional resources and enroll in the E4P network join the E4P Network.
Download the PDF file 
In this E-Newsletter you will find information about:
World Refugee Day - June 20
In 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which designated June 20 every year as World Refugee Day. This day has been set aside as an annual opportunity to remember and recognize the world’s refugees which number more than 14 million people.
Visit the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service website for downloadable bulletin inserts, litanies, prayers, tool kits and other materials for use in your congregation.
table of contents
Summer 2008 ELCA Global Mission Event: God's Work, Our Hands
Connect with your worldwide Lutheran family, energize your congregation and gain practical skills for mission by participating in God's Work, Our Hands, the Summer 2008 ELCA Global Mission Event. The event will be held July 17-20 at the University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse.
Learn how changes in the world are transforming the way the ELCA proclaims and serves; meet leaders from the fast-growing center of Christianity in the Southern Hemisphere; participate in exciting worship including global voices; and learn to give, receive, and serve more effectively. Missionaries, international church leaders, special guests, and ELCA members will celebrate and explore God's mission in the world together through plenary sessions, Global University sessions, worship, prayer, song, art activities and fellowship.
GMEs begin on Thursday evening with an opening celebration and conclude on Sunday morning with global worship. In between, participants choose a variety of Global University Sessions that interest them, and gather twice a day for global music and a thought-provoking plenary session. Through special programming for children, junior high school students, and senior high school students, young participants learn how they can live as faithful Christians in a global culture.
For more information, to register or to view video clips from previous events, see the ELCA Global Mission Events page.
table of contents
Creating a Culture of Peace Training at Kirkridge Retreat Center
Kirkridge Retreat Center is offering a trainer of trainers event "Creating a Culture of Peace: Nonviolence Training for Personal and Social Change" August 6-10, 2008. (NOTE: Basic Nonviolence Training is a prerequisite.) This interactive training is an opportunity to strengthen facilitation skills, practice presentation skills, and gain skills for building communities of trust to take action.
Cost for the training is $145; room and board $300. For more information contact Janet Chisholm at Kirkridge.
table of contents
International Day of Prayer for Peace and International Day of Peace Vigil - September 21, 2008
NOW is the time to plan to be a part of the World Council of Churches' International Day of Prayer for Peace which will be on September 21, 2008. The theme for this year's Day of Prayer for Peace is "Witnessing to God's Peace." According to the website, "the International Day of Prayer for Peace offers an opportunity for church communities in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, their families, communities and societies. The idea was proposed in 2004 during a meeting between WCC General Secretary Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (press release), and coincides with the UN International Day of Peace. The Day of Prayer is one of the initiatives of the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence. Congregations are invited to pray for peace - possibly using the same prayers - in all participating churches on September 21 or the Sunday preceding it."
In addition, a group of individuals from various spiritual traditions invite you to participate in the International Day of Peace Vigil on September 21. The intention is that places of worship across the globe observe a 24-hour vigil lifting up prayers for peace and nonviolence and in support of a global ceasefire.
Visit the Decade to Overcome Violence website for more information, to submit prayers for peace, to access resources for the International Day of Prayer for Peace and to register your commitment for participation in the International Peace Vigil.
table of contents
Peacemaker Ministries' 2008 Peacemaker Conference - Orlando, FL
Peacemaker Ministries' 2008 Peacemaker Conference will be held September 25-27, 2008 in Orlando, Florida. This conference is designed to encourage, inspire and equip all who face threatening conflicts with Gospel-centered, Christ-empowered hope, confidence and skill.
The conference will offer keynote speakers, worship, workshops, discussion, prayer and mutual learning. There are also a number of pre-conference training events, including Conflict Coaching Training, Reconciling Church Conflict, Reconciling Marital Conflict, Teaching Peacemaking Cross-Culturally, Conflict Coaching & Mediation Training and a Certification Program.
CLICK HERE for more information about the conference.
For more information about Peacemaker Ministries, CLICK HERE.
table of contents
Rachel's Day Observance at Bethel Lutheran Church in Chicago
On May 3 and 4, the members of Bethel Lutheran Church in Chicago participated in several activities in observance of Rachel's Day. Rachel's Day has been set aside to honor the memory of children who have died too soon. It's also meant to be a time to encourage and uplift those children who live with the fear that they will not grow up to become adults; who fear drugs, guns, gangs, going home to an empty or unsafe house, poor education, illness, hunger, unsafe streets; who fear that their friends may kill themselves; and who fear that they are unloved or who feel that they are alone. The city of Chicago continues to be plagued by violence against children. More than 30 children have died as a result of gun violence this year.
Bethel Lutheran Church, in partnership with a local mosque and members of the community began the Rachel's Day observance by gathering for prayer at the church. Participants offered prayers for healing, for an end to violence, for concrete solutions to ending community violence, and for a more just community. They then marched around the community and encouraged others to join in as the march progressed. Saturday's event ended with refreshments at Bethel. Approximately 100 people participated in the rally.
The observation continued during the Sunday morning Bible study time which was focused on community violence. Approximately 50 people, including both elders and young people, participated in the Bible study which was facilitated by Valora Starr and Charlotte Williams. Participants committed to continue to examine and study the issues and to work with the congregation to develop programmatic strategies to address violence and develop a healthier, peaceful and just community. The observance of Rachel's Day ended with the theme lifted up in the worship service.
CLICK HERE for more information and resources related to Rachel's Day. If you would like more information about the Bethel Rachel's Day observance, please contact Valora Starr or Loretta Horton.
table of contents
World Health Organization Global Campaign for Violence Prevention
The World Health Organization launched the Campaign for Violence Prevention in October, 2002, following the release of a world report on violence and health. Visit the website for more information about the campaign, to access publications and resources relating to violence and violence prevention, read the Global Campaign Newsletter and more.
table of contents
World Citizen, Inc. International Peace Sites
According to the website, World Citizen, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the education community to promote a just and peaceful world through activities for children and youth. The organization positively impacts thousands of young people through its three programs: the Peace Education Program, the International Peace Site Program, and the Nobel Peace Prize Festival.
Through the International Peace Site Program, schools, churches, parks, nature centers, Elderhostels, and other organizations have committed to uphold the following principles:
+ Protect the environment
+ Promote intercultural understanding and celebrate diversity
+ Seek peace within yourself and others
+ Reach out in service
+ Be a responsible citizen of the world
International Peace Sites are encouraged to plant Peace Poles, handcrafted monuments that display the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" on each side of the pole in four to sixteen languages reflecting community’s population. A Peace Pole is a permanent, wooden pole that can be planted in courtyard or garden to act as a constant reminder for all to visualize and promote a just and peaceful world. Over 200,000 Peace Poles have been planted in 180 countries throughout the world.
Visit the website for more information about the organization, for an application to become a Peace Site, or to view a list of all the Peace Sites in the U.S. and around the world.
NEXT MONTH: Read about peace activities at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, a World Citizen, Inc. International Peace Site.
table of contents
Augsburg Fortress Forgiveness Resources
Looking for "forgiveness" resources for use in your congregation? The following are available from Augsburg Fortress Publishers:
For children:
Davey & Goliath: Learning about Forgiveness DVD
For adults, either individually, small groups or congregational book clubs:
Fire of Grace: The Healing Power of Forgiveness
NOTE: The author of Fire of Grace, The Rev. Dr. Richard Rouse, is available as a speaker/workshop leader on the topic of forgiveness.
And, either to accompany Fire of Grace or as a stand-alone resource, a DVD:
Forgiveness: A Miracle of Love
(To order Fire of Grace and Forgiveness: A Miracle of Love as a set,
CLICK HERE.)
Also for individuals:
A Forgiving Heart: Prayers for Blessing & Reconciliation
The Power of Forgiveness accompanies the recently released PBS documentary of the same name.
For other peace related resources, visit the Augsburg Fortess online store.
table of contents
Churches for Middle East Peace Conference Report
From the ELCA Peace Not Walls website:
One hundred and fifty church advocates and clergy from around the country gathered in Washington for “Calming the Storm: Middle East Peacemaking in a Turbulent Time,” CMEP's April 20-22 conference that sought to build support in the U.S. Congress for diligent follow-up on the Annapolis process toward the goal of a two-state Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.
The conference was a unique gathering of Christians from a wide variety of denominations committed to effective advocacy with policymakers as well as continued education and training back home. The conference reflects CMEP's partnership with Middle East policy experts, Jewish and Palestinian partner organizations and officials from the U.S. Congress and the Administration as we work to build support in Washington for U.S. policies conducive to peacemaking.
CLICK HERE to read the full report on the conference or CLICK HERE for conference videos, including keynote by ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson.
table of contents
Lutheran Peace Fellowship Peace Blog
Have you stopped by the Lutheran Peace Fellowship website lately? The site now has a Lutheran Peace Fellowship Peace Blog with updates and links to current legislation and actions related to peacemaking. It also has links to many resources for individuals and congregations, a list of LPF chapters, and a Youth site.
Youth site highlights include "Sowing Seeds of Peace," the youth e-newsletter, a list of training opportunities for youth, a youth blog and MORE!
table of contents
Growing the Equipping for Peacemaking Network
Help grow the E4P network by inviting family, friends, neighbors and members of your congregation to become a part of this faithful group of peacemakers. We want to have 1,000 members by the end of the year. If each current member brings in only two new people, we'll exceed our goal! Membership in the network is FREE and open to anyone interested in peacemaking and nonviolence. Current members of the network are from several different faith traditions.
Forward this link to anyone interested in signing up for the ELCA Equipping for Peacemaking network: http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Decade-for-Nonviolence/Join-the-E4P-Network.aspx
Or, use the following article as an item in your weekly worship bulletin or monthly congregational or organizational newsletter:
ELCA Equipping for Peacemaking Network
Sign up today 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 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. For more information, visit the website at Equip4Peace or contact Jean Morehouse, Equipping for Peacemaking Program Coordinator at jean.morehouse@hotmail.com.
table of contents
Information Wanted!
Has your synod passed a resolution related to peace? If so, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Please send an electronic copy of the resolution or a link to an electronic copy of the resolution, together with your name and your synod to Jean Morehouse. The information will be shared with the network through the Equipping for Peacemaking newsletter.
Thank you!
table of contents
NEW! Peace Notes and Quotes
This new feature in the newsletter will include a monthly Peace Note or Quote. We'll be using quotes from famous peacemakers, scripture or brief notes that include a thought or idea about peacemaking and nonviolence.
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 at jean.morehouse@hotmail.com
THIS MONTH'S PEACE NOTE:
Matthew 5:9
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
NRSV, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville
table of contents
Go in peace and serve the Lord!
To share information about events, activities or resources, contact the E4P Coordinator.
If you believe you have received this newsletter in error or you wish to unsubscribe,click here.