|
Welcome to the September 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:
COMING SOON -- the 2010 International Day of Prayer for Peace
Celebrate the 2010 International Day of Prayer for Peace, September 19-21. Use the half page bulletin insert written by two Lutheran leaders for the first IDPP and revised for 2010 at www.lutheranpeace.org or find additional resources from the World Council of Churches, the ELCA and others.
More than 10,000 congregations worldwide observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace (IDPP) as an opportunity for people to grow in faith and action for peace. Why participate in this observance? Prayer is central to peacemaking. We are capable of far more when we place our efforts in the hands of the One who is Peace, who has called us to be peacemakers, and who walks with us on the Path fostering Shalom.
The Day of Prayer is a chance to inspire and encourage people of faith to realize that we can grow as God's peacemakers in our families, churches, communities and world, empowered by the Gospel's deep roots of Shalom. God has given us the peace that passes all understanding. Plan NOW! to observe this special day in your congregation and community.
PLEASE LET US KNOW how you participated in the 2010 International Day of Peace in your congregation or community. We'd love to hear from you!
table of contents
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:
Aug. 29 - Sept. 4: Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia
Sept. 5 - 11: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia
Sept. 12 - 18: Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania
Sept. 19 - 25: Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine
Sept. 26 - Oct. 2: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
table of contents
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. Attend one of the following Glocal Mission Gatherings in 2010:
September 10-11, Lexington, SC
October 1-2, Grand Forks, ND
October 8-9, West Linn, OR
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.
table of contents
October Observances
As you put together your fall congregational calendar, be sure to include activities for the following peace-related observances:
October 2 - International Day of Non-Violence
The birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the United Nations established this day "as an occasion to 'disseminate the message of non-violence, through education and public awareness.'"
October 15-17, 2010 - Children's Sabbaths Celebration
The theme of this years' celebration, sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund, is "Blessed to be a Blessing: Lifting Up the Next Generation." Children's Sabbaths Celebration "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." Visit the Children's Sabbaths website for links to resources from past years and for more information.
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Hold educational forums, organize a vigil, wear a purple ribbon, create a public display to remember victims and raise awareness, or participate in a community action. CLICK HERE for more ideas from the Domestic Violence Awareness Project.
Crime Prevention Month
Visit the National Crime Prevention Council for more information about the history of this observation, programmatic ideas and to download a 2010 Crime Prevention Month kit: Staying Safe in a High Tech World.
And, don't forget to share photos and information about your activities with other members of the Network by contacting Jean Morehouse, Network Coordinator.
table of contents
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.
table of contents
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!
table of contents
ELCA Middle East Network Newsletter
CLICK HERE to access the ELCA Middle East Network Newsletter. The most recent issue includes:
-
Bishop Munib Younan of the ELCJHL Elected President of the Lutheran World Federation
-
Lakeside Theological Convocation, Sept. 7-9, 2010: The Church and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict - Working for Peace in the Middle East
-
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land Complete Joint Youth Mission Trip
-
Current Analysis and Reports from the Ground on PNW Site
-
Join the Community of Yes
-
Pray for the Prisoners
table of contents
Bits and Peaces
The summer 2010 issue of "Bits and Peaces" from the World Council of Churches' Decade for Overcoming Violence includes the following items:
-
Editorial about the meeting of the second drafting group for the Ecumenical Declaration on Just Peace
-
Updates on Expert Consultations
-
Updates on Living Letters visits
-
Update on the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation which will take place in Kingston, Jamaica in May of 2011. A study guide for "Telling the Truth About Ourselves and the World" to help individuals and church reflect and act together as the IEPC is celebrate is available to download free or order free hard copies from the DOV Coordination Office. (NOTE: Shipping charges will be applied on large orders.)
-
Excerpt from a Biblical Reflection written by Rev. Said Ailabouni (an ELCA pastor) and taken from the 2009 WCC publication "Imagine Peace."
Visit the DOV website for additional information and resources.
table of contents
APPLY NOW: Stewards Programme 2010
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 one of two hands on learning experiences at major ecumenical meetings in 2011, the WCC Central Committee meeting (in Geneva, Switzerland), 8-24 February, and the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (in Kingston, Jamaica), 12-26 May. Applicants must be between the age of 18-30 years.
During the meetings stewards will work in the areas of worship, conference room, documentation, press office, sound and other administrative and support tasks.
Before the meetings, 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 DEADLINES:
+ September 30, 2010 for the Central Committee
+ November 30, 2010 for the IEPC
table of contents
Educating and Organizing for Peace
In August, Bethel Lutheran Church hosted a half-day event called "Educating and Organizing for Peace." This event was a continuation of the work that began with the 2010 Rachel's Day observance during which the congregation focused on anti-violence, peace promotion and conflict resolution skills.
Twenty-five young people and adults from the congregation and community attended Educating and Organizing for Peace. The group included six grade schoolers and one young lady who will soon be starting kindergarten. Participants engaged in discussions on personal safety issues and had extensive conversation around the question "what is a peacemaker?"
At the conclusion of the day, it was decided that the group would reconvene in two months in order to further explore the peace promotion and anti-violence training curriculum. The participants enjoyed the day and are eager to do more.
In addition, as part of the ongoing peace work, the congregation will organize and host Umoja Peace Camp for grade school children. Umoja is the Swahili word for unity. The camp will be held on Saturdays this fall and will include a major celebration planned for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday in January of 2011. The curriculum will include age appropriate activities relating to anti-violence, peace promotion and conflict resolution skills.
Educating and Organizing for Peace was sponsored by Bethel Lutheran Church in Chicago, IL and Mentoring the Future of West Garfield Park and was supported by a Lutherans Against Violence Grant, Wheat Ridge Ministries. For more information, contact Loretta Horton, a member of the ELCA Equipping for Peacemaking Network and Bethel Lutheran Church.
table of contents
Still Under Construction!
The ELCA Interunit Task Force for the Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence survey, which we had hoped to distribute in August, is still under construction. We are hopeful that it will be ready for distribution soon. As the Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence draws to an end in 2011, members of the Task Force would like to know what has been helpful to you and what additional resources could be useful to support your work. So, watch your email. We'll be waiting to hear what you have to say!
table of contents
SEPTEMBER PEACE QUOTE:
Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord; and I will heal them.
Isiah 57:19, Holy Bible, NRSV
table of contents
Go in peace and serve the Lord!
|