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Welcome to the November 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 E-Newsletter you will find information about:
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:
Oct. 31 - Nov. 6: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda
Nov. 7 - 13: Republic of Congo, Gabon, Sao Tomé and Principe
Nov. 14 - 20: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea
Nov. 21 - 27: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger
Nov. 28 - Dec. 4: Liberia, Sierra Leone
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2010 Nobel Peace Prize Winner - Liu Xiaobo
From the website:
"The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2010 to Liu Xiaobo for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has long believed that there is a close connection between human rights and peace Such rights are a prerequisite for the 'fraternity between nations' of which Alfred Nobel wrote in his will...
...For over two decades, Liu Xiaobo has been a strong spokesman for the application of fundamental human rights also in China. He took part in the Tiananmen protests in 1989; he was a leading author behind Charter 08, the manifesto of such rights in China which was published on the 60th anniversary of the"....MORE
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International Day of Prayer for Peace at Trinity Lutheran Church
Trinity Lutheran Church in Manhattan Beach, California observed the 2010 International Day of Prayer for Peace with a peace service. The theme for the day was "You are the Seed of Peace in Creation" which included many of the ways in which peace and creation are related. Pastor Darryl Kozak, Karla Divine, Organist/Choir Director, Jane Affonso, and others, planned the worship service. The sanctuary was decorated with peace cranes.
Children provided the prelude and also made pinwheels to symbolize the wind. In addition, the youth group made peace pies (small pizzas decorated as peace signs). The offering for the day was shared with Church World Service for Pakistan relief. Many who attended this event were not Lutheran.
A beautiful flyer, designed by Laura Levin to promote this observation of the International Day of Prayer for Peace, will be reworked and used for a holiday card for the South Coast Interfaith Council.
Thank you to Jane Affonso, a member of the ELCA Equipping for Peacemaking Network, for sharing this information.
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ELCA Glocal Mission Gatherings - Connecting Global and Local
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. This is the final opportunity to participate in a Glocal Mission Gathering in 2010:
November 12-13, Camp Hill, PA
For more information, please email GlobalMissionInfo@elca.org.
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World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse - November 19
World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse was initiated in 2000 by the Women's World Summit Foundation. The purpose of this observance is to create a culture of prevention around the world by encouraging government and community organizations to play more active roles in protecting children.
Visit the website for more information about the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse or CLICK HERE to participate in the "YES! to prevention of child abuse" yellow ribbon sticker campaign.
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Universal Children's Day - Nov. 20
Established by the United Nations in 1954, this day is set aside each year as an opportunity to promote the welfare of children and an understanding between children all around the world.
CLICK HERE for more information and resources.
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APPLY NOW (November 30 Deadline): Stewards Programme
From the World Council of Churches News webpage:
Young Christians from around the world are invited to apply to the World Council of Churches (WCC) stewards programme for a hands on learning experience at a major ecumenical meeting in 2011, the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (in Kingston, Jamaica), 12-26 May. Applicants must be between the age of 18-30 years.
During the meeting stewards will work in the areas of worship, conference room, documentation, press office, sound and other administrative and support tasks.
Before the meeting, stewards follow an ecumenical learning programme which exposes them to the key issues of the ecumenical movement worldwide. The last phase of the stewards programme, following the meeting, focuses on designing ecumenical projects which stewards will implement back home.
Visit the website for more information about the Stewards Programme.
Download the informational brochure.
Download the application form as a pdf or Word document.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: is November 30, 2010.
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World AIDS Day - December 1
Observe World AIDS Day by praying for all who are affected by the disease, participating in a remembrance/healing service for those affected by the disease, providing support for an organization working to find a cure, or wearing a "red ribbon" on December 1.
CLICK HERE for more information about World AIDS Day.
CLICK HERE for information about the ELCA's response to HIV/AIDS.
For a free advocacy action guide from Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, CLICK HERE.
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National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
December 7 is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. A 2007 Presidential Proclamation states that this day should be set aside to ".....pay special tribute to those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor, [and] honor our veterans of World War II...."
CLICK HERE for additional information.
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Human Rights Day - December 10
Observed on December 10 annually, Human Rights Day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948.
What can you do to celebrate this important event?
+ Participate in Amnesty International's Global Write-A-Thon: Write for
Rights;
+ Attend the 27th Annual Human Rights Day Conference organized by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights which will be held December 3 in St. Paul, Minnesota;
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Plan NOW for the 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
The holiday season is just around the corner, so plan now to participate in the January 17, 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Can't find a service project in your community? Why not organize one, then register it here.
CLICK HERE for more information about the day, planning and other resources for individuals and organizations and MORE!
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National Peace Essay Contest 2011
High school students can win college scholarships up to $10,000.
The United States Institute of Peace is holding its annual NATIONAL PEACE ESSAY CONTEST. This scholarship contest is for high school students who are interested in international issues, conflict resolution, peace studies, justice, and human rights. The 2010-2011 contest's topic is "GOVERNANCE, CORRUPTION, AND CONFLICT." The topic changes every year. The DEADLINE for the 2010-2011 contest is February 1, 2011. Entries must be received by this date.
Educators who are passionate about these issues and dedicated to challenging students to think globally can make the contest a part of their curriculum or encourage students to write essays outside of class work. A study guide on the essay contest topic is available online.
The contest promotes discussions among students, teachers, parents, and youth leaders. The contest also improves and strengthens students' critical thinking, research, and writing skills.
State-level selection categories include the fifty U.S. states, Washington, D.C., U.S. Territories, and American students abroad. First place state-level winners compete for national awards and are invited to a weeklong education program in Washington, D.C. The Institute pays for expenses related to the program, including travel, lodging, meals, and entertainment. The scholarship award amounts are:
+ 1 National award, first place: $10,000*
+ 1 National award, second place: $5,000*
+ 1 National award, third place: $2,500*
+ 53 State awards, first place: $1,000 each
(*national awards include state award amounts)
For more information, visit the United States Institute of Peace website.
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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.
NOVEMBER PEACE QUOTE:
It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it.
Eleanor Roosevelt
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Go in peace and serve the Lord!
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