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.
There is something about snow that binds together a neighborhood. I noticed on my street that the first driveway cleared was the house of the widow of one of our more colorful characters. She never touched a shovel. People helped each other push their cars out of icy ruts. As our streets became more narrow, folks did the dance of who went first with some grace. Without any discussion we agreed to only attempt the hill at the entrance one at a time.
“The Brief Statement of Faith” says this:
The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith,
sets us …
The lectionary gospel text for Ash Wednesday this year is Matthew 6:1–6. The first verse of which is: “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
This is an interesting verse to think about when you leave a worship space with ashes smeared on your head. What does the ash cross on our forehead say to others? I suppose that people who are Christians have some idea what it is about. Many times we forget that it is there and wonder why people are looking at our heads.
Is God calling you or someone you know to care for the environment?Now is the time to apply for the 2013 Eco-Stewards Program!
Love is always patient and kind, it is never jealous, love is never boastful nor conceited, it is never rude or selfish, it does not take offense, and is not resentful...
This week one particular article piqued my interest.
I was initially taken with the article’s title, “Books Increasingly Show It’s All About Me”. I’m interested in anything that might shore up my feeling that it really is all about me.
The philosophy behind the Dallas II Mission Consultation...is the understanding that the proclamation of the Kingdom of God is more effectively realized when done so in community.
A celebration is called for! Summer is starting across the country and thousands of our passionate young adults are embarking on a life changing summer living in Christian community. This opportunity to teach and share their faith with campers, as well as live intentionally with other committed Christian leaders will transform them in ways they can’t even imagine.
The following is an account popular in the storytelling world and passed along in William White’s Stories for the Journey (Augsburg Press, 1988).
People in a remote village purchased a television set. For weeks, all of the children and all of the adults gathered around the set morning, afternoon, and night watching the programs. After a couple of months, the set was turned off and never used again.
Eco-Steward Kathi Pogorelov studies public health and sociology, with a concentration in health and environment, at The College of New Jersey. She took a break from her coursework to reflect on her participation in the June 2011 Montana Eco-Stewards Program.
Communities of faith and practice. It's what we strive to develop every summer. Somehow I imagine this is what a world filled with campers from our programs would look like (if they were at a football game!)
Just had a wonderful conversation with Rev. David Ensign, (for those of you who knew Rev. John Ensign, long serving director of Camp Hanover, David is his nephew) exploring where the ministry of camp, conference and retreat is heading. It...