Swords into plowshares
About this blog
Swords into Plowshares is the blog of the Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations of the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
Recent posts
- Summer 2013 intern at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations – Onaje Crawford
- Remarks by Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations, at a Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict, June 17, 2013
- Together, We Have the Power to Protect the Ocean
- 1 is too many
- A prayer for World Refugee Day
Categories
- Peace (531)
- United Nations (516)
- Prayer (471)
- Human Rights (424)
- Justice (391)
- View all categories →
Archives
Posts with tag: children
May 1, 2013Support the Code
An estimated 1.2 million children all over the world are annually exploited through prostitution, pornography, and trafficking. Some travelers use tours and hotels as venues to exploit children. Without clear policies and training, staff are not equipped to identify and react to such behavior. You can take a stand against the sexual exploitation of children by informing companies about their vulnerability in the tourism industry.
The Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct is the only internationally accepted framework that sets a standard of responsible business practices to effectively crack down on the sexual exploitation of children. To date, over 1 ...
February 6, 2013
UNICEF Tap Project
This year, the UNICEF Tap Project will live on Facebook. You can donate using the UNICEF Tap Project Facebook App and keep the water flowing with the help of your Facebook friends. With your support, we will turn the world’s largest social network into a water network. We will raise awareness about the world water crisis and provide an essential resource to children around the world like we’ve never done before. More information on how you can be a part of the world’s biggest water network for children is coming soon. So stay tuned…
But you can ...
January 15, 2013
Children are children, not soldiers - 11 years on
‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’ – Matthew 19:14
February 12, 2013 marks the eleventh anniversary of the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict.
Find worship resources, ideas for participating in the Red Hand Campaign, and suggestions for further study for this occasion. 
They may be used at any time.
UNICEF estimates that more than 300,000 children – boys and girls under the ...
November 13, 2012
Celebrate World Day of Prayer and Action for Children and Universal Children's Day
November 20 brings the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children and Universal Children's Day. The Presbyterian Office of Child Advocacy and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations invite you to join people around the world and celebrate on that day or on Sunday, November 18 or Sunday, November 25.
The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children brings people together to pray and take action for the well-being of children on Universal Children’s Day (November 20) every year. Universal Children’s Day, established by the United Nations in 1954, also commemorates the 1989 adoption ...
November 13, 2012
Some groups working on behalf of children: World Day of Prayer and Action for Children
Presbyterian Mission Agency
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Presbyterian Child Advocacy Network of PHEWA
Presbyterians in Covenant with Children
Presbyterian Kids4Kids - helping children act
A Vision for Children and the Church
United Nations
UNICEF
United Nations Children’s Day
Other Non-governmental Organizations
World Day of Prayer and Action for Children
Thanks to Sera Chung for working on this post.
November 13, 2012
The Convention on the Rights of the Child
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights—civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. In 1989, world leaders decided that children needed a special convention just for them because people under 18 years old often need special care and protection that adults do not. The leaders also wanted to make sure that the world recognized that children have human rights too.
The Convention sets out these rights in 54 articles and two Optional Protocols. It spells out the basic human rights that children everywhere ...
November 7, 2012
Ideas for prayer: World Day of Prayer and Action and Universal Children's Day
November 20 brings the World Day of Prayer and Action and Universal Children's Day. The Presbyterian Office of Child Advocacy and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations invite you to join people around the world and celebrate on that day or on Sunday, November 18 or Sunday, November 25.
Here are some ideas for prayer:
World Day of Prayer and Action Planning Guide
Hold a Prayer Vigil for Children
Tips and suggestions on planning your own prayer vigil for your congregation from the PC(USA) Office of Child Advocacy
2012 National Observance of Children’s ...
November 7, 2012
World Day of Prayer and Action for Children and Universal Children's Day
November 20 brings the World Day of Prayer and Action and Universal Children's Day. The Presbyterian Office of Child Advocacy and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations invite you to join people around the world and celebrate on that day or on Sunday, November 18 or Sunday, November 25.
World Day of Prayer and Action
The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children is also celebrated annually on or around 20 November. The World Day is an opportunity for both prayer and action on behalf of children. It presents an occasion for diverse religious communities and people ...
October 22, 2012
Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
We are taking part in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. How about you?
This program began in Philadelphia in 1950, the idea of Presbyterians Clyde and Mary Emma Allison as a way to respond to the needs of children in the aftermath of World War II.
In the sixty years since those orange cartons (decorated milk cartons were first used) have been used by children and adults to raise almost $167 million dollars. Those funds are used by UNICEF to provide food, medicine, and education to help children thrive.
By participating in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, Presbyterians serve in the global neighborhood as ...
August 11, 2012
2012: Summer of seminars
The summer of 2012 has seen a number of groups hold seminars at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations.
- Children from the summer program of the First Chinese Presbyterian Church of New York City learned about child soldiers and made red hands
- Young people from the House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, MN and young Arab and Jewish Israelis from Givat Haviva dreamed of working for peace
- Young people from the House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, MN and Trinity, Bethel, and Emmanuel Presbyterian Churches in New York, NY explored issues related to human movement ...
August 4, 2012
Why are the hands red?
"Why are the hands red?"
The children's summer program from the First Chinese Presbyterian Church of New York City had come to the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations to learn about child soldiers and to participate in the Red Hand Campaign.
Due to the size of the group - 74 children and 12 counselors, we met at the Church of the Covenant. As always, we are grateful to our partners there.
After words of welcome and opening prayer, Elodie de Bethmann and Johnstuart Winchell started the day with singing. The counselors followed with another song. Great energy and enthusiasm ...
July 13, 2012
UN Secretary-General issues 11th annual report on children in armed conflict
From Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict a network of international nongovernmental organizations that strives to protect children in war zones:
The 11th Annual Report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict, issued on Monday 11 June, 2012, provides an overview of the situation of children affected by armed conflict and the measures taken to protect them. It covers the period between January and December 2011, and contains specific recommendations for follow-up UN action. The body of the report contains information on grave violations committed against children, in particular the recruitment and use of children, sexual violence against children, the killing and maiming of children, the abduction of children, attacks on schools and hospitals and the denial of humanitarian access to children by parties to conflict.
June 25, 2012
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child examines the US
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child met last week with nongovernmental organizations that offered recommendations to the United States to improve its efforts to stop the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. ECPAT-USA, a partner of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s human trafficking roundtable submitted an alternate report to the Committee.
ECPAT-USA has posted a description of the process as well as the alternate report.
To learn more about what Presbyterians are doing around the issue of human trafficking, visit the Human Trafficking Roundtable.
April 9, 2012
Clean water from Clifton Presbyterian Church
Clifton Presbyterian Church in Maxwelton, WV
Helps with the UNICEF Tap Project
by Larry Davis
When the Presbytery of West Virginia held a seminar at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, they learned about the UNICEF Tap Project. Earlier this year, the presbytery invited congregations to participate in this effort to provide clean water to children around the world. Clifton Presbyterian Church in Maxwelton responded. Larry Davis writes:
As a result of the receipt of a Presbytery of West Virginia email about the UNICEF Tap Project for 2012, the Clifton Presbyterian Church in Maxwelton, WV (population 181) decided to ...
April 2, 2012
Sound the alarm for children in the Sahel
From our partners at UNICEF.
March 21, 2012
All our sons, all our daughters
This post has been revised in response to comments and observations made on Facebook and in other places. Some language has been edited; other material has been added. I am grateful to all those who took the time to read and comment.
Our position of privilege tells me that what happened to Trayvon Martin is less likely to happen to my sons than it is to the sons or daughters of many of my friends. Less likely than it is to happen to the sons or daughters of people I do not know. Less likely than it is to happen ...
March 14, 2012
First ICC verdict addresses exploitation of children in situations of armed conflict
The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced its first verdict today. The court found Thomas Lubanga Dyilo guilty of conscripting, enlisting, and actively using children under the age of 15 in hostilities in the Ituri district of the Democratic Republic of the Congo during 2002 and 2003. Lubanga was one of the leaders of the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC), a rebel group implicated in serious human rights abuses, including ethnic massacres, torture, rape, and the recruitment of children, some as young as seven. Congolese authorities transferred Lubanga to the ICC's custody in March 2006. His trial began in January ...
March 7, 2012
Tap Project at the CSW
Presbyterian participants at the 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women helped provide clean water for children around the world. They conributed to the UNICEF Tap Project for the coffee and tea provided by the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. You could do the same during a coffee hour, fellowship meal, or other time people gather.
February 22, 2012
A visit from Central New York
The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations is hosting a seminar from the Central New York Presbytery Partnership Group.
Twenty-one students and four adults have gathered to explore issues related to child labor and the trafficking of children in labor.
Opening worship celebrated what children should be able to do. Allie Naskret, field education student with the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, led the service.
A visit to the United Nations followed.
After lunch, the group discussed labor and work - and the work they do. A speaker from the International Labor Organization spoke on child labor and trafficking. The ...
February 8, 2012
It is time for the U.S. to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child
The CRC sets the standard for children’s welfare around the world. The United States played a major role in drafting the CRC. However, the United States and Somalia are the only countries that have not ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child The United States signed the convention in 1995, indicating its support and its intention to pursue ratifica ...
January 24, 2012
International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust – 27 January
One and a half million Jewish children perished in the Holocaust – victims of persecution by the Nazis and their supporters.
December 8, 2011
How to make Red Hands
The Red Hand Campaign asks nation states to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and make clear their commitment to ending the use of child soldiers. The goal is for every country in the world to ratify the optional protocol by 2012, the tenth anniversary of when it took effect.
To take part in the Red Hand Campaign:
- Create red hand prints on paper (using finger paint, drawing an outline, using red paper, or in some other way) and then add their names, hometowns, and ...
November 21, 2011
Take opposition to sex slavery and trafficking on the road
Looking for a stocking stuffer?
Consider a TassaTag.
TassaTags are 4"x6" bright, hand-woven cotton luggage tags. TassaTags serve a much larger purpose than simply helping you spot your luggage.
Each purchase of a TassaTag supports ECPAT-USA (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking), a non-profit children's rights organization whose mission is to protect children in the US and abroad from commercial sexual exploitation. ECPAT-USA is a partner of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
TassaTags are fair trade products. Women at The Regina Center in Nongkhai, Thailand make the tags. This project enables women to stay in their villages and ...
October 28, 2011
Trick or Treat for UNICEF this weekend
What are you doing this weekend?
Be sure to spend part of your time taking part in some way in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.
This program began in Philadelphia in 1950, the idea of Presbyterians Clyde and Mary Emma Allison who wondered "Why can't kids collect food for starving children?"
In the sixty years since those orange cartons (decorated milk cartons were first used) have been used by children and adults to raise almost $160 million dollars.
Those funds are used by UNICEF to provide food, medicine, and education to help children thrive.
By participating in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, Presbyterians ...
September 22, 2011
Red Hands make a difference
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” (Matthew 19:14)
We moved another step closer a world where children are children and not soldiers today. Presbyterian Red Hands helped make it happen!
Saint Lucia signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on Children and Armed Conflict.
Saint Lucia received Red Hands from Presbyterians asking them to sign and ratify the Prototocol. Signing takes the crucial first step; Saint Lucia still needs to ratify the ...
September 6, 2011
Children's Books at Huguenot Memorial Church
I have always liked books; I was an English major in college. Children's books have held a special appeal to me. Books written for children can be amazing: in words and images they may carry profound truth. The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program makes good use of children's books. Intergenerational conferences often included a time of bed-time stories in which staff read books of peace and justice.
Why this focus on children's books?
On Friday, September 2, I visited Huguenot Memorial Church (Presbyterian) in Pelham, New York. We were planning a seminar for the church at the Presbyterian Ministry ...
July 22, 2011
Red Hands at work
What difference do Presbyterian Red Hands make?
This year three states: Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have ratified or acceded to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. Chad recently signed an action plan to end the use of children by the country’s security forces.
Clearly the international consensus that "Children are children, not soldiers" is building.
Presbyterians are playing a part. The Red Hands made by Presbyterians are delivered to permanent missions at the United Nations asking them to encourage their ...
July 21, 2011
Red Hands say no child soldiers
Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.
Matthew 19:14
Red Hands, made by Presbyterians across the church, were sent to the permanent missions of 26 member states of the United Nations today. The Red Hands, in a variety of styles, all bear the same message: "Children are children, not soldiers."
With the Red Hands went a request that the state sign and ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in ...
July 13, 2011
US statement on children in armed conflict
Below are remarks from U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice on the open debate on children in armed conflict held yesterday in the United Nations Security Council:
Thank you, Mr. President. We’re grateful to you, Mr. Minister, as well as to Ambassador Wittig and the German Mission for hosting this important debate and for your leadership as Chair of the Security Council Working Group. We also very much appreciate the important statements by the Secretary General, Special Representative Coomaraswamy and UNICEF Executive Director Tony Lake.
Mr. President, abuses against children in armed conflicts do not just tear at our hearts ...
June 27, 2011
Trick-or-Treat Congress for UNICEF
Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs (Matthew 19:14).’
In response to Jesus’ concern for children, Presbyterians have Trick-or-Treated to raise funds to support UNICEF and its work for children around the world. I’ve encouraged Presbyterians to do so - even going so far as playing UNICEF Box Man.
Now we have a chance to Trick-or-Treat Congress when we ask the U.S. Congress to continue its funding of UNICEF.
Every fiscal year, the U.S. Congress must pass ...
June 14, 2011
Look back on the Decade of the Child
As the Decade of the Child draws to a close in July of 2011, pause to consider what your congregation has done in ministry with and for children, both those within your own walls and those beyond your doors — in your community, the nation and the world. What good programs have you put in place? What special new challenges have arisen in the past ten years? What stubborn problems remain to be addressed? Visit the Child Advocacy website and post a comment about what your church is doing.
Pray for children using the video “For Children We Pray” . Set up ...
May 5, 2011
UNRWA stages its first Gaza Marathon
From the United Nations News Centre (here's a slightly different version from UNRWA): 5 May 2011 – Gaza’s first-ever marathon took place today as some 1,500 athletes defied the sweltering heat to compete in a series of running events organized...
April 14, 2011
Skyping the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations
This evening brought a milestone on my technological journey. I had Skyped before . . . in fact there were several Skype conversations today alone. But at about 8:20 Eastern time, as had been carefully prearranged, my Skype came to...
March 26, 2011
Madagascar: Route to Democracy Needs Revision
As people clamor for democracy across North Africa, the United States has an opportunity to support a return to democracy in Madagascar. The United States can do this by calling on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to revise the...
March 22, 2011
A prayer for Madagascar
written by Cynthia Holder Rich and originally published on ecclesio.com; reposted with permission A Prayer for Madagascar God of Peace, Just Savior, Help us to be servants of those hungry for peace, not division; Strengthen our resolve to stand with...
March 14, 2011
Share a drink of clean water
Participate in the UNICEF Tap Project Providing clean water helps achieve Millennium Development Goal 4: Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate
March 13, 2011
About the UNICEF Tap Project
Share a drink of water through the UNICEF Tap Project Check out participating restaurants Find ways to help In 2007, the UNICEF Tap Project was born in New York City based on a simple concept: restaurants would ask their patrons...
February 28, 2011
Now brothers and sisters
"They are now brothers and sisters, and now death amongst us shall stop." That's the promise made by Nuer women and Murle women in South Sudan who worked with RECONCILE International - a promise all the more amazing because of...
January 31, 2011
Children at risk - Sudan, Myanmar, Philippines, Gaza
The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict provides links to stories about children at risk in several places around the world. Singers strive for peace in new Sudan: The bumping beats of African...
January 17, 2011
Give the gift of water
The UNICEF Tap Project is a nationwide campaign that provides the world’s children access to safe, clean water. During World Water Week, March 20-26, 2011, restaurants across the United States will encourage patrons to give $1 or more for the...
January 12, 2011
Cooper House 2011 Winter Break Alternate Mission Trip
A group from the Cooper House Presbyterian Campus Ministry at Virginia Tech visited the offices of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations on January 11. The visit was part of their 2011 Winter Break Alternate Mission Trip. Six students...
December 18, 2010
Advent Devotion - December 18, 2010
Scripture - Isaiah 11:1–9 I love the imagery this Scripture contains. As I read this passage and reflected on the season and Guatemala, one particular phrase struck me: “a little child shall lead them.” For many in the world, it...
December 10, 2010
Advent Devotion - December 10, 2010
Scripture - Isaiah 7:10–25 In one of our conversations with the street dweller kids in Manila, we asked them to draw on a big paper plate the food they wanted to eat during Noche Buena (a traditional Filipino dinner on...
December 6, 2010
Praying for change in Myanmar
From the World Council of Churches “We believe in change and ask that you continue to pray for us.” This was the message an international team of church representatives heard again and again, as they visited people and churches in...
October 28, 2010
Mary Emma Allison - Presente!
Presbyterian United Nations Ministry Word was received this evening that Mary Emma Allison died today. She and her husband, the Rev. Clyde Allison, helped start Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF sixty years ago. Children around the world are alive this evening due...
October 25, 2010
Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF in the Brooklyn area
Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations If you happen to be in Brooklyn this weekend and are looking for a way to help support UNICEF's work to care for children around the world. Here's an opportunity: Brooklyn for Peace, which...
October 14, 2010
Trick or Treat for UNICEF
Presbyterian United Nations Ministry It has been a long time since I have attended a Halloween party. I did so tonight, joining nearly 200 adults and children to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. This program began in...
August 6, 2010
What happened to all those red hands?
The first batch of red hands and letters has been delivered. Over 800 red hands were created by participants in the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, They had the simple message: children should be children, not soldiers. Participants wrote some 200 letters...
July 23, 2010
Why should children not be soldiers?
This was a question posed at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium. Participants created red hands with answers - red hands that will be delivered to world leaders to call them to put an end to the practice of using children as...
July 22, 2010
Almost two a minute
117 Red Hand cards were made today at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium - in one hour. That's almost two messages every minute to be sent to world leaders to tell them that children are children, not soldiers! Thanks to all...
July 21, 2010
Red Hands at Triennium - Day 1
Over 250 participants in the Presbyterian Youth Triennium created Red Hands to carry the message to world leaders that children are children, not soldiers. Some amazing messages were written: Stop the use of child soldiers: what if it was your...
July 19, 2010
Presbyterians Say No Child Soldiers
Follow the Presbyterian effort to end the use of child soldiers on Facebook. The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, the Office of Child Advocacy, and the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program have launched a new page to provide information and advocacy...
July 15, 2010
Sixty years of Trick or Treat
Several anniversaries were celebrated during the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Minneapolis. The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program marked thirty years of ministry. Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF marked its sixtieth anniversary. For sixty years, children have been helping...
May 26, 2010
Worship service on child soldiers
Worship at the Presbyterian Center on May 26, 2010 focused on child soldiers and how followers of Jesus, who welcomes children, can work to address this issue. Planned by a team of staff from the Office of Theology Worship and...
May 19, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – no child soldiers!
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Hold a Red Hand Sunday to call for an end to the use of children as soldiers. Create red hand prints on paper or cloth (using finger paint, drawing an...
April 29, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – learn about violent video games
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Learn about the video games to which children and youth have access and the potentially harmful effect of viewing violent content. A free booklet by the Office of Child Advocacy...
April 28, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – help children learn about Sudan
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Use Piece Work/Peace Work: Working Together for Peace and Sudan with elementary children from Grades 1-6. It includes four sessions, one intergenerational session and a resource section with stories of...
April 22, 2010
No child soldiers!
During a retreat, staff members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Compassion, Peace and Justice ministry took time to create red hands to say that children should not be used as soldiers. Human Rights Watch reports that children are fighting as...
April 14, 2010
Bring the world to you
Host an International Peacemaker in your presbytery, synod, or educational institution. International Peacemakers from 8 countries are scheduled to visit the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) from September 24 through October 18, 2009. These individuals from our partner churches will share about...
December 19, 2009
Advent devotion - December 19, 2009
Scripture - Luke 1:1–25 Advent is a joyful time of anticipation. We await the arrival of the Christ just as prospective parents eagerly anticipate the arrival of a baby. We prepare the house; we decorate the room; we receive gifts....
November 2, 2009
New study resource on Sudan for children
Order Piece Work/Peace Work: Working Together for Peace and Sudan at the Presbyterian Marketplace. Use item number 24-358-09-008. The cost is $8.00 plus shipping and handling.Piece Work/Peace Work: Working Together for Peace and Sudan is a curriculum designed for elementary...
October 22, 2009
Trick or treat for UNICEF - more of the story
From the Presbyterian Child Advocacy Office: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the PC(USA) have long had a special relationship. Why? Because Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF was initiated by the Rev. Clyde Allison, a Presbyterian minister. Allison's children and others...
October 10, 2009
Protect children, not guns
Children's Defense Fund recently released a new report based on the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that 3,184 children and teens died from gunfire in the United States in 2006. This represents a...
October 8, 2009
Prayer for Presbyterian AIDS Awareness Sunday
This Sunday, October 11, raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic — observe Presbyterian AIDS Awareness Sunday. Among the many resources available to plan for this event is the It's a Matter of Faith packet. Order or...
September 29, 2009
How will your congregation use its share?
Congregations that receive the Peacemaking Offering are encouraged to keep 25% of the offering for use in peacemaking ministries of their choice. These funds are used in many creative ways by different congregations. Ministries supported by the Peacemaking Offering include:...
October 24, 2008
Happy Birthday United Nations
Today, October 24 is United Nations Day. The Better World Campaign reminds us that, despite its challenges, flaw, and shortcomings, the United Nations plays a significant role in the lives of people around the world. Often the shortcomings are highlighted...
March 11, 2008
Malawi: She Is Granny
Written by Joy Gaska …Her contagious smile reveling teeth neglected, thinning extremities speaking days gone hungry, weather worn skin with wrinkles that marked an age unknown and a compassion that echoed and told a story far more potent and poetic...
February 29, 2008
Malawi: The Arrival
We reached the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg around 9:00 AM. After checking in, we made our way to the gate for our South Africa Airways flight to Lilongwe, Malawi. For many in the group, this is their first...
February 29, 2008
South Africa: That I Will Be Able to Continue This Work
For seven months, the Rev. Buhle Mpofu has served as the HIV and AIDS Coordinator for the Uniting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa (UPCSA). The church has identified addressing HIV and AIDS one of its three mission priorities. The HIV...
February 29, 2008
South Africa: Rainbow School
It started in a building built of shipping containers. Today, the children of the Rainbow School after-school study programme fill the rooms of JL Zwane Presbyterian Church and Centre. They gather around teachers for two hours of tutoring. Children come...
February 29, 2008
South Africa: He Did Not Like to Let Go
He liked to be high. And he did not like to let go. We visited a community-based orphanage for 15 children. JL Zwane Presbyterian Church supports the orphanage which is run by one woman and her daughter with help from...
February 29, 2008
South Africa: JL Zwane Presbyterian Church and Centre
Our visit to the Guguletu Township on Tuesday, February 26, was coordinated by the JL Zwane Presbyterian Church and Centre. The Rev. Edwin Louw, Associate Pastor, Ms. Yvonne Daki, and Mama Nomazizi provided an introducation to the hope-filled, hope-instilling ministries...