Swords into plowshares
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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: interfaith
February 1, 2013World Interfaith Harmony Week
Observe World Interfaith Harmony Week We live in an interfaith world. This brings challenges and opportunities. Respectful Presence: An Understanding of Interfaith Prayer and Celebration from a Reformed Christian Perspective, a document commended to congregations and governing bodies of the...
March 14, 2012
Statement of the Secretary General on the Arson Attack of the Rida Mosque in Belgium
From Religions for Peace:
The arson attack on the Rida mosque in Brussels on Monday 12 March 2012 has killed Imam Abdallah Dadou. The Imam was also a husband and the father of four children. For all of the members of Religions for Peace, the attack on this mosque which resulted in his death was despicable. Religions for Peace rejects this arson attack as an illegal, violent, ugly and morally offensive act. We call upon the relevant authorities to advance justice in accordance with the law.
Events such as these deeply wound our hearts. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to ...
February 9, 2012
World Interfaith Harmony Week at the UN
by Andrew David Turner
On February 7, the 66th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations celebrated the second annual World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) with a full program of speakers and performances that underscored the significance of this year’s theme: “Common Ground for the Common Good.”
The President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, began the proceedings with a keynote address that highlighted the “social and moral significance” of religion in the global society and reminded the Assembly that the United Nations itself was founded on “the quest for the common values ...
January 31, 2012
World Interfaith Harmony Week Begins
World Interfaith Harmony Week begins tomorrow - February 1.
The United Nations General Assembly designated the first week in February as World Interfaith Harmony Week. H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan proposed the creation of the week. The week provides an opportunity for people of different faiths to seek fellowship, work together, and celebrate common concerns and values.
Different communities will observe World Interfaith Harmony Week in ways that are appropriate to their situation and relationships.
Ideas to observe the week could include (but not be limited to) praying with people of all faiths for peace in the Middle East ...
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 ...
August 16, 2011
Reflection on Youth Making a Difference seminar
Aram Bae, Beatrice Terino, and Gaby Verdolini at the UN as part of the Youth Making a Difference Seminar
Thanks to Beatrice Terino for sharing this reflection:
I attended the UN trip as a member of the Brick Presbyterian Church. I had been told that I would meet with people from Israel who were visiting New York as a part of a program with Givat Haviva. The program was actually a photography class made up of youth from Israel – both Jews and Arabs. I had heard about the conflict between these peoples, but I did not know much about the ...
August 11, 2011
Youth provide ideas to celebrate International Day of Peace
Participants in the Youth Making a Difference seminar (U.S. Presbyterian and Israeli Arab and Israeli Jewish youth) were invited to identify ways to celebrate the International Day of Peace. They came up with some very creative ideas. One group suggested that the day include a solar eclipse so that fireworks could be seen all day long. Check out the videos of their reports:
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Here’s a summary:
Concerts
Music
Communities joining together
Share messages of peace through:
Email
Twitter
My Space
Facebook
Other electronic communications
Fireworks
Ice cream
Hugs ...
August 11, 2011
Celebrate the International Day of Peace, Group 5
A group from the Youth Making a Difference seminar shares their ideas on how to celebrate the International Day of Peace. The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, in partnership with Givat Haviva, hosted this interfaith, international youth event on August 1, 2011. Participating in the day long event were Israeli Arab and Israeli Jewish youth who are part of Givat Haviva's Through Others' Eyes project. Presbyterian participants came from Brick Presbyterian Church, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, Huguenot Memorial Church (Presbyterian), and The Presbyterian Church in Westfield
August 11, 2011
Celebrate the International Day of Peace, Group 4
A group from the Youth Making a Difference seminar shares their ideas on how to celebrate the International Day of Peace. The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, in partnership with Givat Haviva, hosted this interfaith, international youth event on August 1, 2011. Participating in the day long event were Israeli Arab and Israeli Jewish youth who are part of Givat Haviva's Through Others' Eyes project. Presbyterian participants came from Brick Presbyterian Church, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, Huguenot Memorial Church (Presbyterian), and The Presbyterian Church in Westfield.
August 11, 2011
Celebrate the International Day of Peace, Group 3
A group from the Youth Making a Difference seminar shares their ideas on how to celebrate the International Day of Peace. The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, in partnership with Givat Haviva, hosted this interfaith, international youth event on August 1, 2011. Participating in the day long event were Israeli Arab and Israeli Jewish youth who are part of Givat Haviva's Through Others' Eyes project. Presbyterian participants came from Brick Presbyterian Church, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, Huguenot Memorial Church (Presbyterian), and The Presbyterian Church in Westfield.
August 11, 2011
Celebrate the International Day of Peace, Group 2
A group from the Youth Making a Difference seminar shares their ideas on how to celebrate the International Day of Peace. The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, in partnership with Givat Haviva, hosted this interfaith, international youth event on August 1, 2011. Participating in the day long event were Israeli Arab and Israeli Jewish youth who are part of Givat Haviva's Through Others' Eyes project. Presbyterian participants came from Brick Presbyterian Church, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, Huguenot Memorial Church (Presbyterian), and The Presbyterian Church in Westfield.
August 11, 2011
Celebrate the International Day of Peace, Group 1
A group from the Youth Making a Difference seminar shares their ideas on how to celebrate the International Day of Peace. The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, in partnership with Givat Haviva, hosted this interfaith, international youth event on August 1, 2011. Participating in the day long event were Israeli Arab and Israeli Jewish youth who are part of Givat Haviva's Through Others' Eyes project. Presbyterian participants came from Brick Presbyterian Church, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, Huguenot Memorial Church (Presbyterian), and The Presbyterian Church in Westfield.
August 10, 2011
Ribbons of Hope for September 11
To commemorate the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, Prepare New York and partner groups are sponsoring Ribbons of Hope. People are invited to bring a ribbon to Battery Park in New York City between the hours of noon on Friday, September 9 and dusk on Sunday, September 11. On the ribbon, write a thought or prayer or hope for the healing of the city and for the whole world. In Battery Park, ribbons of all colors, shapes, sizes and textures will be joined to form a large tapestry symbolic of the marvelous mosaic that is New York.
How can I ...
August 1, 2011
Interfaith international youth event
The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, in partnership with Givat Haviva, hosted "Youth Making a Difference" an interfaith, international youth event on August 1, 2011.
Participating in the day long event were Israeli Arab and Israeli Jewish youth who are part of Givat Haviva's Through Others' Eyes project. Presbyterian participants came from Brick Presbyterian Church, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church, and the Presbyterian Church in Westfield.
The 35 young people had the opportunity to meet and get to know one another. They toured the UN and heard a speaker about the UN's youth work ...
July 22, 2011
Religions for Peace on the bombing in Oslo
A statement from the Moderator and Secretary General
22 July 2011
Religions for Peace condemns the morally reprehensible bombing in Oslo, Norway. This callous, cowardly and depraved act was designed to kill, injure and terrorize indiscriminately.
Religions for Peace rejects any misuse of religion to justify indiscriminate violence.
We also mourn the innocent people killed and injured and extend to the victims and their families our solidarity in sorrow.
The European Council of Religious Leaders – Religions for Peace is headquartered in Oslo, Norway. Its Moderator, Bishop Gunnar Stålsett, and its Secretary General, Mr. Stein Villumstad, are standing by to ...
June 16, 2011
Interfaith Campaign to Combat Anti-Muslim Bigotry
Help the National Religious Coalition Against Torture and "Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Standing with American Muslims; Upholding American Values," a coalition of 26 religious organizations, are compiling information on groups working to address anti-Muslim sentiment! The info will go online, so that people can know about efforts to end anti-Muslim sentiment in their communities or give ideas to start a project of their own.
Involved with ending anti-Muslim sentiment? Tell NRCAT about it!
Know someone who’s involved? Recommend them here!
Background Information
One critical factor that led to the U.S. government’s use of torture in the last decade was bigotry ...
August 19, 2010
Presbyterian students join interfaith seminar
Givat Haviva and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations recently hosted a seminar, “Through Others' Eyes.” The Jewish Week covered the seminar. Caroline, one of two Presbyterian students from Wallingford Presbyterian Church who participated, reflects: On August 3rd, we...
January 9, 2010
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Litany
Here is a litany written for an interfaith service celebrating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and addressing gun violence. Feel free to adapt or use the litany. If it is used, please include the attribution: Presbyterian Peacemaking...
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:...
August 14, 2009
Resources for people of faith on health care
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a member of the coalition Faithful Reform in Health Care which provides a toolkit called, Let Our Light Shine [PDF] with resources that people of faith may find useful. Faithful Reform in Health Care is...
March 7, 2009
Presbyterians travel to Ethiopia
From November 5 through 15, 2008, eight Presbyterians learned from and walked with brothers and sisters of Christian, Muslim and Orthodox faiths in Ethiopia. The travel/study seminar was organized in cooperation with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s partner the Ethiopian Evangelical...