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.
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Posts with tag: christmas
December 11, 2012Advent/Christmas service from Bethlehem and Washingon
O Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie;
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
A Simultaneous Service from
Washington National Cathedral
and
The Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church
In Bethlehem, Palestine
Saturday, December 22, 2012
10:00 AM EST in Washington, DC
5:00 PM in Bethlehem
Join live on-line
Wherever you are in the world, you are invited to come to Bethlehem to worship Christ, the newborn King! The service will be broadcast live at 10:00 AM EST at the National Cathedral's website, so that people everywhere can tune in ...
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 ...
January 11, 2011
Egypt's Muslims attend Coptic Christmas mass, serving as "human shields"
Egypt's Muslims attend Coptic Christmas mass, serving as "human shields" - Ahram Online. Egypt’s majority Muslim population stuck to its word Thursday night. What had been a promise of solidarity to the weary Coptic community, was honoured, when thousands of...
December 25, 2010
Advent Devotion - December 25, 2010
Scripture - Isaiah 52:7–10, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1:1–12, and John 1:1–14 Christmas Day! Behold the wonder of this day—a day of anticipations fulfilled! Rejoice and be glad! A Son is born! The psalmist exclaimed that the Lord will come to...
December 23, 2010
Heads of Christian churches in Jerusalem issue Christmas message
The heads of Christian churches in Jerusalem have issued a joint Christmas message for 2010 condemning violence in any form and saying that peace and reconciliation requires the active participation of people of faith. Full text of the message: "Glory...
December 21, 2010
Fear Not: Christmas Message 2010: The Rt. Rev. Munib Younan, Bishop ELCJHL
Christmas Message 2010: The Rt. Rev. Munib Younan, Bishop ELCJHL. Bishop Younan, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, reflects on what he calls the first two words of Christmas: "Fear not." These were the...
December 16, 2010
Open statement on the Lord's Resistance Army
Open Statement on the Lord’s Resistance Army by the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect One year ago today, over the course of four days, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) slaughtered 300 people in Haute Uele province in the...
December 16, 2010
The Killing of the Innocents in Congo
From America: The National Catholic Weekly by Kevin Clarke, originally posted on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 05:51:23 PM You may be aware that conditions in Sudan are reaching a crisis point as the referendum on southern independence comes up January...
December 13, 2010
For the peace of Jerusalem
Send a Christmas card to President Obama. For the Peace of Jerusalem is a national Christian campaign for Israeli-Palestinian peace now. We are calling for valiant U.S. leadership in the peace process and we believe that this peace must be...
December 12, 2010
Morong 43 welcome President's order to withdraw charges in Philippines
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III of the Philippines has ordered that the charges be withdrawn against the Morong 43 - health care workers held by the government of the Philippines since February. Actually it is more accurate to refer to...
November 18, 2010
Join the webinar: Reclaiming Advent and Christmas
December 1 at 12:00 noon (Eastern time) Keep a sense of simplicity, wonder and reverence all season long. Join special guest Rev. Michael Mortvedt and staff of the Presbyterian Hunger Program in exploring ways to stay spiritually grounded through Advent...
December 25, 2009
Advent devotion - December 25, 2009
Scripture - John 1: 1–14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14a) When we eat our Christmas meal, our family will gather around a big, round oak table that has been in the family since our...
December 15, 2009
A Christmas prayer 2009
A Christmas prayerGod of glory and God of grace, God who creates and loves us all, God whose Holy Spirit gives us gifts for faithful living, You come to us in a child, Born in Bethlehem, a humble city in...
December 14, 2009
Not finished with your shopping?
Still looking for a gift for that someone special? Consider a gift that works for peace. Support the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. There are several options. Give to: Peacemaking Offering - provide basic support for the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program's ministry Conference...
December 14, 2009
Pray with the people of Bethlehem
Christ is Born! Glorify Him! 3rd Annual Bethlehem Prayer Service Saturday, December 19, 2009 9:30 AM Gathering, 10:00 AM Service (All times are Eastern Standard Time.) This will be a joint simulcast service with the people of Bethlehem and people...
December 14, 2009
Christmas prayers
Here is a Christmas prayer written this year: A Christmas prayer 2009 Here are some prayers for Christmas that we posted last year. A Prayer for Peace on Christmas Eve A Child Is Coming - A Christmas Prayer On this...
December 5, 2009
All I Want for Christmas
When it comes to Christmas music, I confess that I jump the season. At least in my personal life. Professionally, when I am designing worship, I can maintain tight seasonal boundaries. Stores may decorate. Cards may arrive. Specials may air....
December 3, 2009
Send prayers to the people of Bethlehem for Christmas 2009
Pax Christi International invites us to send Christmas prayer greetings to the people of Bethlehem. Once again, Christmas celebrations will take place in a difficult climate for people in the Holy Land. As we prepare to celebrate Advent and Christmas...
November 18, 2009
Help keep families together this Christmas
You and Your Church Can Help Keep Families Together this Christmas: Join the Holiday Postcard Campaign! The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has called for comprehensive immigration reform through action of the 216th General Assembly and by signing on to faith initiatives...
December 20, 2008
A Child Is Coming - A Christmas Prayer
Here is another prayer for Advent and Christmas. This one is by Tedd Roos of Lakewood, Ohio. Heavenly Father, in the midst of the bustle and noise of the season, help us pause. Help us take a breath and rest...
November 28, 2008
Pray for the Little Town of Bethlehem . . .
. . . and the people of Israel and Palestine. As Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Christmas, we are invited to pray for justice, peace and security for Palestine and Israel - and to send a prayer or...