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Welcome to the October 2009 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. CLICK HERE to find additional resources and enroll in the E4P network.
In this E-Newsletter you will find information about:
2009 International Day of Prayer for Peace at the Lutheran Center
Not handshakes but hand-decorated "stoles"—lengths of cloth in pink, orange, lime, red, aqua—were exchanged during the passing of the peace when staff of The Lutheran Center gathered in the building courtyard Friday, Sept. 18, for a noon service to mark the International Day of Prayer for Peace. The exchange brought to life words from Colossians 3:14-15..."clothe yourselves with love"...that were the focus of the petitions and praise of the service, which focused on the cares of the people of the Caribbean. The Rev. Rafael Malpica-Padilla, director of the global mission unit and former bishop of the ELCA Caribbean Synod, presided—and played the drums. Theme for 2009 of he annual World Council of Churches event was "One Love: Building a Peaceful World."
Throughout the day, hour by hour, prayer flowed from floor-to-floor as staff gathered for brief times of prayer and song. The observance of the annual focus on prayer for peace began with a video welcome from the Task Force for the Decade for a Culture of Pace and Nonviolence on Friday, Sept. 11, and included brief reflections from several members each day of the following week. Decade members Cathy Hunt, Christine May and Diane Monroe planned the event. And though the day is over, the passing of the peace symbolized by the exchange of stoles begun during the service continues: Some staff display the stoles in their workspace, as reminders to pray for peace. Others are will be used in a quilting project.
CLICK HERE to view photos from the event.
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ELCA Global Formation Events
Would you like to deepen your understanding of the changing context and practice of global mission and to receive the gifts of Christians and churches? Register TODAY for a one-and-a-half day ELCA Global Formation Event. These events provide an opportunity for congregational teams to build skills for effective ministry locally and globally. Click on the links for more information about each event:
October 2-3, 2009
Living Word Lutheran Church in Katy, TX
October 30-31, 2009
Southwood Lutheran Church, Lincoln, NE
November 13-14, 2009
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Olympia, WA
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October Observances
Will you or your congregation participate in activities for any of the October Observances? If so, please share your story and photographs with Jean Morehouse, Coordinator for the ELCA Equipping for Peacemaking Network.
October 2 - International Day of Non-Violence
The birthday of Mahatma Ghandi, the United Nations established this day "as an occasion to 'disseminate the message of non-violence, through education and public awareness.'"
October 16-18, 2009 - Children's Sabbaths Celebration
This event, sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund, "is a way for faith communities to celebrate children as sacred gifts of the Divine, and provide the opportunity for houses of worship to renew and live out their moral responsibility to care, protect and advocate for all children." CLICK HERE for resources and more information.
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Hold educational forums, organize a vigil, create a public display to remember victims and raise awareness, or participate in a community action. CLICK HERE for more ideas from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Crime Prevention Month
Visit the National Crime Prevention Council for more information about the history of this observation, programmatic ideas and to download a Crime Prevention Month kit.
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Training Events at Kirkridge Retreat Center
Kirkridge Retreat Center, Bangor, PA, is offering the following:
Peacemakers in the Midst of Conflict
October 24 - November 6, 2009
Participants will travel to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, throughout Israel and the West Bank with local guides. An opportunity to listen, build relationships, promote dialogue, and learn about the real life situation and politics of the region.
Love Force – The Peacemaker’s Way
November 6-8, 2009
Reflections with Richard Deats on the call to live on the growing edge of history with cues from peacemakers Hildegard Goss-Mayr, Aung San Suu Kyi, Jim Lawson, Thich Nhat Hanh, Abdul Ghaffar Kahn and Abraham Heschel. How do we reach out to enemies?
Visit the Kirkridge website for information on registration and fees.
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International Peace Bureau Conference - Nov. 14-18
From the website:
The International Peace Bureau's annual conference will be held in WASHINGTON DC from November 14-18. It is co-organized with Peace Action, America’s largest grassroots peace network. This event is an invitation to engage in a strategic process, to examine our campaigning priorities and options, to explore new ways to challenge the militarism we see around us, and to build international connections and partnerships.
The theme is: Rolling back militarism: a task for the global movement. The program includes a central conference and a day-seminar on military spending, plus the annual IPB Council meeting and a planning session for the NPT Review next May. It will also be the occasion for the award of the IPB’s annual Sean MacBride Peace Prize.
For more information, view the conference flyer, a news update, and a program outline. CLICK HERE to register for the conference.
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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.
CLICK HERE 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 sticker campaign.
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Plan now to participate in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on January 18, 2010. This day is set aside annually as an opportunity to honor the legacy of Dr. King through community service grounded in his teachings of justice and nonviolence.
Visit the website for more information and resources for individuals and organizations.
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Developing Hearts that Yearn for Justice
Transformational Third World Opportunities invites you to attend "Developing Hearts that Yearn for Justice: Ecumenical Theological Reflection in a Third World Setting for Clergy and Lay Church Workers." The conference will be held January 18-21, 2010. Participants will gather in San Diego then travel to Tijuana, Mexico where they will stay at Casa del Migrante. CLICK HERE to access a brochure with registration information.
Transformational Third World Opportunities is affiliated with the Hunger Ministry Team of the ELCA Pacifica Synod. The Rev. Bill Bruggeman, an ELCA pastor, and his wife, Ann, have been the coordinators of the ELCA Border Ministries Program along the US/Mexico border.
Thanks to Mia Baumgartner, a member of the Equipping for Peacemaking Network, for sharing this information.
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News from the National Council of Churches
CLICK HERE to read headlines of recent stories from the National Council of Churches News Service. Peace-related stories include:
Governing Board Issues a Call for Civil Discourse
New York, September 25, 2009 -- Alarmed by the intensity of angry and sometimes violent language coming out of public meetings on healthcare and other issues.......READ MORE
NCC Revives its Commitment to Disarmament NOW
New York, September 22, 2009 -- The National Council of Churches, which has been relatively silent about nuclear disarmament since the end of the Cold War has firmly renewed its opposition......READ MORE
NCC Joins Interfaith Statement of Principles to Bring End to Conflict in Middle East
New York, September 22, 2009 -- The National Council of Churches, along with Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and other individuals and groups, has supported unilateral commitments being urged upon Iaraeli, Palestinian and Arab leaders......READ MORE
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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.
OCTOBER PEACE QUOTE:
"Peace has to be created, in order to be maintained. It is the product of Faith, Strength, Energy, Will, Sympathy, Justice, Imagination, and the triumph of principle. It will never be achieved by passivity and quietism."
Dorothy Thompson
From Wisdom Quotes
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Go in peace and serve the Lord!
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