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: peacemaking
December 25, 20122012 Advent Devotion- Tuesday, December 25
As far back as I can remember I have always questioned the motives of why things happen in a certain way. Events in our lives are woven together to form a mysterious path that only God understands. Nativity sparks interest in our hearts because we think about what God’s plans were with the gift of an only child, given as a gift of grace.
Every time we honor Jesus’ name during this period of Advent, we honor love. In a world where materialism, consumerism, and individualism have become our focus, God’s everlasting love challenges ...
December 24, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Monday, December 24
This is the season of hope and celebration! As we prepare for Christmas and are surrounded by friends and family, it is easy to be joyful and refreshed like the parched desert and the blossoming crocus. Jesus Christ is to be born tomorrow, and this will strengthen, comfort, heal, and provide for us! Praise the Lord!
As the season comes to an end, family and friends will go back to work, decorations will go back in boxes, and the pace of everyday life will return. Does this mean we have to wait until Easter or next Christmas ...
December 23, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Sunday, December 23
This passage is about a cosmic connection in Christ in which Zechariah could not speak until his actions said, “Yes, I trust you Lord.” Elizabeth called Mary blessed because Mary said, “Yes, I trust you Lord.” Neither Elizabeth nor Zechariah fret, fuss, nor worry about the name of their son. How often do we feel that if we don’t fret, fuss, and worry, whatever we want will not work out for the best?
In this call to service we have to remember the amazing account of God’s faithfulness. Our call is simply to just say ...
December 22, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Saturday, December 22
Responses from both Elizabeth and Mary in this passage are spontaneous outpourings of spiritual emotion. Elizabeth bestows blessing upon Mary, declaring that the child within her is the Lord. Mary responds in passionate verse, expressing her humble and profound gratitude to God. It is no wonder that Mary’s ”Magnificat” has been set to music by so many composers.
In a musical, the purpose of a song stems from the character’s inability to express their feelings in anything less than the eloquence of song. Words have more power to communicate when set to music because there ...
December 21, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Friday, December 21
Waiting is hard. Ask any child anxiously awaiting the arrival of Christmas morning. Consider asking Mary what her long journey of waiting was like, nestling the world’s Savior in her womb while struggling to conceal her pregnancy from the scrutiny of public eye.
Crying “out of the depths,” the psalmist here is confronted with the task of waiting. So great is the author’s trust in the steadfast love and redemptive power of God that the author is filled with hopeful waiting; trusting expectancy is paramount to the season of Advent. A sure sign of Advent’s ...
December 20, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Thursday, December 20
Have you ever noticed how catchy vacation Bible school songs are? You can be going about your day until suddenly a trigger gets you singing (and performing the choreographed movements)! Psalm 126 triggered for me a song entitled “Great Things.” As music leader for the week, that song is still as fresh in my mind as it was in June, 2011!
Though the song is elementary, it pushes my theology and me. The lyrics “We come here expecting God to do amazing things, right here, right now!” A struggle ensues within me as I feel guilt from this ...
December 19, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Wednesday, December 19
As we anticipate the coming of Christ, this passage reminds us of God’s promise to renew all things. Yet, the brokenness of the world cuts so deep that we are often overwhelmed. We see it on global, national, communal, and familial levels. Sometimes we can hardly see the vision of peace and justice that God promises.
Isaiah prophesies a time when God will gather up Israel and heal the pain and discord within the people of God. But I am struck by the parallel between the splintering of Israel and the brokenness we experience within ourselves ...
December 18, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Tuesday, December 18
If a single verse can be said to define Christianity for millions, John 3:16 is the one. It is memorized by confirmands, painted across the cheeks of NFL players, printed on bumper stickers, and recognized by believers and nonbelievers alike. It is imbedded in the popular conscience.
I used to fear this verse. The first part evoked a sense of deep comfort, the second part caused discomfort and erased the previous claim. If “God so loved the world,” why were we perishing anyway? And now those who believe are saved but the rest are still condemned ...
December 17, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Monday, December 17
I believe that God works in mysterious ways, that God gives us lessons and talks to us through events, people, nature, the Holy Spirit, and the still, small voice inside us. It’s difficult in our worry-filled, iPhone-filled, Facebook-filled, Tweeter-filled lives to allow ourselves the space just to listen.
In my daily life, I go into “doer” mode, trying to fix, understand and seek control over what lies before me. I think, maybe God appreciates and chuckles at my concerted effort to understand, to do, and to solve. Perhaps God is telling us to wait, to have hope ...
December 16, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Sunday, December 16
In this passage from Hebrews, there is a certain amount of unpredictability around what will remain after the big shake-up. Portrayed is an image of an arrival point toward promise, covenant, and the ”heavenly Jerusalem.” We are challenged in opening ourselves to God’s voice, which calls us to the path toward the peaceable kingdom.
Similar challenges and uncertainties come with a new job, living situation, or personal relationship. We struggle when the path we have worked for so long and with such certainty turns into a path that takes us in an entirely different direction, creating ...
December 15, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Saturday, December 15
The disciples said: “Lord, look, here are two swords.” He replied: “It is enough!”
Faced with the imminent fulfillment of ancient prophecy, Jesus tries to impart to his companions the full weight of the crisis they are about to face. Perhaps the disciples sense the anguish in Jesus’ voice, but as is often the case, they miss the crux of his message. Jesus admonishes them to be strong, to be prepared, to be alert. He prays that their “faith may not fail.” But the disciples, literal and over-eager, latch on to one word. Swords, Jesus? Don’t ...
December 14, 2012
With Thanks to God for the Life and Witness of Cindy Bolbach
Ruling Elder Cindy Bolbach, Moderator of the 119th General Assembly
I believe we are living through a hinge time for the PC(USA). A hinge time of hope, excitement, and anxiety, all mixed together. A hinge time when we are realizing that the denominational structure and organization that we built in the 1950s and 1960s might not be the organizational structure we need for an age that some are calling not just post-denominational but post-Christian.
As the PC(USA), we still inhabit a top-down, corporate structure that worked well 50 and 60 years ago, when we were flush with members and with resources. We are no longer flush with members or with resources. That does not mean, by the way, that I believe us to be deathly ill. I believe that health of any Christian community of faith is measured not by the number of its members, or by how deep its financial pockets are, but by whether it is proclaiming the Gospel authentically.
December 14, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Friday, December 14
As the Christmas holiday nears, one word that comes to my mind is: competition. People spend countless minutes and dollars striving to give the best gifts, donate the most money, and help the most people. We forget the real reason we celebrate this holiday.
Since childhood, we have been taught to win, to be the best. More attention is given to teaching us to compete than to cooperate. The importance of power is drilled into our heads. With such influences we forget our role of servants, as Jesus was to his disciples, and become like the disciples ...
December 13, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Thursday, December 13
Sometimes a “mountaintop experience” is necessary to remind us of the splendor we live within and to help us recognize God’s incredible, loving power.
This past summer, I worked at Ghost Ranch—a Presbyterian Conference Center in New Mexico. Originally from the East Coast, I had never seen anything like the red and orange mesas. For the first few days, I found myself staring in awe at everything around me, but as the weeks went by I grew accustomed to my surroundings, noticing them less and less. Then, on one of our days off, the college ...
December 12, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Wednesday, December 12
In my first college class my favorite professor told me that the fundamental question about religion is, “How do we live?” We ask ourselves this question every day as we struggle to navigate our complicated and messy world. We don’t get clear answers in our lives. Yet, we are called.
There is a translation of Isaiah from Hebrew to Greek that reads, “You will be ever hearing, but never understanding; you will be ever seeing, but never perceiving.” This people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their ...
December 11, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Tuesday, December 11
A few years ago, for the first time in my fairly privileged life, I found myself in a foreign country with the wrong visa. During my first month abroad I visited the immigration office several times, waited in long lines, met with tired workers, and sat in a sea of unknown people. An immigration officer who coldly shouted instructions and herded us into different sections of the room, taught me what it meant to be an unwelcome stranger in a foreign land.
We remember as we wait expectantly for the light to come into the world that Jesus ...
December 10, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Monday, December 10
Today we celebrate Human Rights Day, an opportunity to rejoice in the entirety of God’s creation and reflect on ways we can share God’s compassion and love throughout it.
In its call for respect of the inherent dignity and worth of every person, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights echoes God’s message. Each individual has a right to be respected as a part of God’s creation, and we have a responsibility as Christians to share God’s love with everyone. We show God’s love through our respect. Yet our respect requires ...
December 9, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Sunday, December 9
With Christmas quickly approaching, it seems like more people go out of their way to do nice things for each other. Children are on their best behavior, more people go to church, and people in the holiday spirit donate more money to charities. The Christmas spirit spreads like wildfire, and December seems to be one of the happiest months of the year. My question is: Why can’t the Christmas spirit last all year long? Shouldn’t it?
In Isaiah’s song, God did everything he could to prepare the vineyard for a good harvest, yet it ...
December 8, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Saturday, December 8
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven” (Luke 21:10-11).
In many ways this verse predicts the present. Our world is as engulfed in conflict, sorrow, and disaster as ever, and we deal with the very real threat of persecution. But we do not face persecution simply because we carry the name of Jesus Christ. In fact that simple deed will often have the opposite effect in today’s world: People who ...
December 7, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Friday, December 7
While I was reading this passage, Lady Gaga’s song, “Bad Romance” happened to come on my Pandora radio. Naturally, the first question that came to mind was, “What does a bad romance look like in the eyes of God?” At first glance this song seems totally irrelevant to the passage, but if you were one of the half billion people to view this music video on YouTube, you would understand that this song and video is about human and sex trafficking. The pinnacle moment of the video is when Lady Gaga, donning Swarovski Crystal underwear ...
December 6, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Thursday, December 6
Psalm 18 is filled with violent images—portraying God as a strong man. The imagery is far from my experience as a peace-seeking feminist, and I struggle to focus on God as a source of strength. I used to see my reliance on God’s strength as a sinful refusal to work for justice, and I felt wasn’t worthy.
Then I had an experience where I felt isolated, hurt by so-called friends, trapped in a career that conflicted with my calling. My passion felt zapped from my soul. Feeling lost, I turned to God. Through daily prayer ...
December 5, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Wednesday, December 5
While growing up I understood why we learned history in school, though I could never remember the dates of battles or who fought which war. I’d like to think that in elementary school I was keen enough to see that war was against God’s call to love, but to my mind history seemed half like statistics and half like keeping track of who was “right.” Now, with news of violence here in my own city, I feel like I’m a witness to history.
“Neither shall they learn war anymore.” It can be difficult to ...
December 4, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Tuesday, December 4
Today’s text brings a dark note to the Advent season. Here we see Jesus as an adult, using story to reflect on some harsh realities. This adult Jesus tells us a parable, a story that is meant to be unpacked. The landowner represents God, the one who created the vineyard and entrusted the care of it to the tenants. When “the season came,” the landowner sent three different servants (prophets) to collect his share of the produce, but the tenants beat them and sent them away empty-handed. Then finally the landowner sent his beloved son hoping ...
December 3, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Monday, December 3
Probably like most peacemakers, I love this passage from Isaiah. How many times have we been at a General Assembly or another solemn meeting and simply “couldn’t endure” it? For those interested in working for justice and peace, these commands are our baseline for living: “seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Many of us prefer this kind of “active” justice making to enduring “solemn assemblies” and “appointed festivals” anyway.
Isaiah calls out for us to understand something deeper. In Hebrew, the word for “worship” can also be translated as “work ...
December 2, 2012
2012 Advent Devotion- Sunday, December 2
God created heaven and earth, brought light out of darkness, built land over the waters, made plants and animals to populate the planet, and God created humans last of all. We are individually shaped, uniquely sculpted, and wholly formed in God’s image. The question is: How do we fit into this beautifully varied world that God has formed? How should we live? What should we protect? What is the balance between pursuing our own happiness and living in God’s light?
“Who shall ascend to the hill of the Lord?” The psalmist says those with “clean hands ...
October 12, 2012
No child soldiers: more steps on the journey
As representatives of the Member States gathered for the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, several important events took place in the effort to create a world where children are children not soldiers:
- On 19 September 2012, the Security Council demanded that "parties to armed conflict which commit grave abuses against children, including those who recruit and use children, kill and maim, commit sexual violence or attack schools and hospitals, immediately halt such practices and take special measures to protect children."
- Indonesia, Nigeria, and Swaziland announced that they have ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the ...
September 9, 2012
Season of Peace Begins September 9
A Season of Peace begins September 9 as a 4-week pilgrimage designed to deepen the pursuit of peace in congregations, small groups, families, and individuals. Subscribe to the daily peace reflections and download the two new resources: an Intergenerational Peace Fair and "The Things That Make For Peace," a 5-week adult Bible study.
A Season of Peace will engage your imagination and offer opportunities for you to live more fully into your calling as a peacemaker. It is for the curious and the jaded; the beginner and the experienced peace seeker. Spend a new season with Jesus, the peacemaker, and ...
September 6, 2012
International Day against Nuclear Tests Celebrated at the UN
Rochelle Rawls-Shaw, intern with the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations attended a discussion today on the International Day against Nuclear Tests at the United Nations. Below is her reflection on the event.June 6, 2012
Summer volunteers work on Red Hands
Sophie Beal and Elodie de Bethmann are summer volunteer interns at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. This is their first week with us, their first blog with us, and their first time getting involved with Red Hands. Below is the blog from Sophie and Elodie.
More photos are available on our Facebook Page.
The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations has taken on two new volunteer interns for the summer. We are both excited to have this incredible opportunity to experience the ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly Mission Council at the United Nations ...
September 28, 2011
Prayer for World Communion Sunday
The following prayer is the opening prayer for worship provided with this year's Peacemaking Offering resources for World Communion Sunday, October 2. This and all of the worship resources can be downloaded.
O God of majesty, as we gather today to worship you, disquiet us and your whole creation with your peacemaking Holy Spirit, quietly insisting, “Know justice, know peace.” As your Son broke bread and gave it to thousands, so call us anew to a peace marked by a just distribution of your abundance, until that day when no one shall hunger nor thirst any more; through your ...
August 6, 2011
Glory to God and Peace on Earth
The International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) gathered in Kingston, Jamaica on May 17-25, 2011. The IEPC was a "harvest festival" that celebrated the achievements of the Decade to Overcome Violence, which began in 2001. Sarah Henken and Mark Koenig led a workshop on Accompaniment as Peacemaking that featured the Colombia Accompaniment Program. Here are some resources from the IEPC to help individuals and churches to renew their commitment to nonviolence, peace and justice:
Final report of the Decade to Overcome Violence
IEPC logo used with permission from ...
July 7, 2011
Reflections on the Peacemaking Pre-Conference Workshop
The gathering of Presbyterian peacemakers in Indianapolis got started last week with a pre-conference workshop “Gun Violence, Gospel Values: Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call.” It was a tough 6 hours, and my thanks to the leaders for that. The statistics were troubling, and there were plenty of them, grim numbers of which we must not be aware, otherwise we surely wouldn’t accept them.
June 30, 2011
The Big Tent is underway
The Presbyterian Peacemaking Conference is underway in Indianapolis. Yesterday, we met with the Iraq Partnership Network and the Brazil Mission Network.
It is great to meet people doing amazing work for the church around the world! Stay tuned to Facebook, Twitter and this blog for more updates from the Big Tent.
May 14, 2011
Blessed are the peacemakers
From across the Presbytery of New York City they came to First Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn for the Presbyterian Women's Spring Gathering. The 2011-2012 Horizons Bible Study, Confessing the Beatitudes by the Rev. Dr. Margaret Aymer, provided the theme and...
May 3, 2011
Register for Peacemaking Conference and Pre-Conference at the Big Tent
Register NOW for the Peacemaking Conference and Pre-Conference at Big Tent June 30-July 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, IN The Big Tent ― the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s biennial celebration of ministry and mission ― will be pitched in Indianapolis June 30-July...
April 18, 2011
Blessed are the peacemakers
How does the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations equip and inspire Presbyterians to make peace following Jesus? The Presbyterian Women of Monmouth Presbytery explored that question when then met on April 16 at the Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury for...
February 9, 2011
2011 Ecumenical Advocacy Days
Development, Security and Economic Justice: What’s Gender Got to Do with It? March 25-28, 2011 Washington, D.C. Come to the 10th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days, as we explore Development, Security & Economic Justice: What’s Gender Got to Do with It?...
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 24, 2010
Advent Devotion - December 24, 2010
Scripture - Luke 2:1–20 “And on earth peace, goodwill among people.” Luke 2:14 (NIV) As a child this phrase from Luke’s version of the Christmas story was one of my favorites. Each time I heard this ancient text read on...
December 10, 2010
The hopes and fears of all the years
Reprinted from the Presbyterian News Service: Louisville The following statement is from Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council. Each December Presbyterians join...
November 29, 2010
Economic and Peacemaking studies seeking volunteers
Friends of Social Witness and Social Ministry, The General Assembly has authorized two new studies that will involve the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP). One is about the economic crisis and the other is about the peacemaking witness...
October 9, 2010
To abandon peacemaking is to betray the faith, says Philippines church leader
From the Presbyterian News Service: International Peacemaker "the Rev. Joel Tendero has been a leader in the peacemaking ministry of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines for more than 20 years. His life has repeatedly been threatened by...
September 28, 2010
World Communion Sunday liturgy on peacemaking and responding to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill
Here is a worship resource to approach World Communion Sunday through the lens of Making Peace with God's Earth. World Communion Sunday Liturgy for October 3, 2010 Prepared by Teresa Stricklen, associate for worship, Office of Theology and Worship, PC(USA)...
September 17, 2010
Which piece of peace?
by Karen Maurer Which piece of peace will you work on? Thirty years ago, the Presbyterian Church identified peacemaking as the believers' calling, emphasizing the connection between peace and justice. In August of 2010 at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico...
September 15, 2010
The Biblical Witness to Peacemaking
The Biblical Witness to Peacemaking, 2010-2011 is a daily lectionary bearing witness to God’s gift of peace and Christ’s call to peacemaking. Peacemaking is a central declaration of the gospel. Though Jesus Christ, God grants us the gift of grace....
September 9, 2010
Remember your baptism
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - News & Announcements - Remember your baptism: Bethany Furkin wrote this article about the opening worship service at the 2010 Presbyterian Peacemaking Seminar sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. David Gambrell's sermon included the observation: Jesus...
August 25, 2010
Thirty
The planning team and leadership team for the 2010 Presbyterian Peacemaking Seminar gathered for worship this morning. The seminar is being held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Peacemaking: The Believers' Calling, the General Assembly statement that called the Presbyterian...
August 11, 2010
New resource on nonviolence at 30th Anniversary Celebration
Authors Sarah Henken and Roger Powers took a moment to autograph their book Resurrection Living: Following the Nonviolent Christ, during the 30th Anniversary Celebration of Peacemaking: The Believers' Calling sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program during the 219th General Assembly...
August 2, 2010
Help create a Presbyterian peacemaking time line
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Peacemaking: The Believers' Calling - the statement of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that called for a renewed commitment to Peacemaking and created the Peacemaking Offering and the Presbyterian Peacemaking...
June 27, 2010
2010 Peacemaking Seminar - peacemaking through worship
Re-membering Peace: Still the Believers' Calling 2010 Peacemaking Seminar Presbyterian Peacemaking Program August 25-28, 2010 Abiquiu, NM Register now! Our peacemaking efforts are rooted in our faith. Through worship, community is built and we are strengthened to act with compassion,...
May 27, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – support young adult peacemakers
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Support a young adult involved in peacemaking making work. Consider helping to fund a Young Adult Volunteer, providing assistance to attend a conference or event, or even sending some cookies...
May 26, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – work to end gun violence
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Work to end gun violence. Bring speakers on ending gun violence to the congregation and community. Sponsor an art exhibit with sculpture, paintings, poetry, and music that respond to gun...
May 25, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Be a Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF organizer! Hold a community block party to educate and raise funds for UNICEF or a special UNICEF activity for children in church school or a...
May 24, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – hold a youth event
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Hold a youth event that focuses on 30 hours of peace. Have youth and sponsors commit to 30 hours of learning, service, and fun that explores peace-related themes. It could...
May 21, 2010
Living the Believer’s Calling – support the Millennium Development Goals
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Learn about the Millennium Development Goals and to find ways to support this effort to improve social and economic conditions in the world's poorest countries. Look for updates from the...
May 20, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – work for a world free of nuclear weapons
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Pray and work for a world free from nuclear weapons. Learn more and find worship resources and action ideas from the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and the People's Movement for a...
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...
May 18, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – observe the International Day of Peace
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Observe the International Day of Peace, a day set by the United Nation General Assembly, on September 21. This day brings a global call for a day of ceasefire and...
May 17, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – a peace blessing bowl
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Create a peace blessing bowl for the congregation. Find, make, or purchase a medium-sized bowl. Place small stones in the bowl. Near the bowl place small pieces of paper and...
May 14, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Choose a Sunday near World AIDS Day (December 1) to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Have a special intergenerational church school class that encourages the whole church to learn more and...
May 13, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – celebrate World Communion Sunday
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Lift up peacemaking ministries on World Communion Sunday and encourage expanded peacemaking efforts. Use cloths from around the world on the communion table; use breads from around the world such...
May 12, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – the Commitment to Peacemaking
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Remember the people and issues that have been a part of the congregation's peacemaking ministries. Find pictures if possible. Create a display. Learn if and when and why the congregation...
May 11, 2010
2010 Peacemaking Seminar small group opportunities
Re-membering Peace: Still the Believers' Calling 2010 Peacemaking Seminar Presbyterian Peacemaking Program Ghost Ranch Conference Center, Abiquiu, NM August 25—28, 2010 (depart August 29) Register now for the seminar. Small groups are always a highlight of Peacemaking Program conferences and...
May 11, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – throw a party!
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Have a peacemaking party with cake, streamers, and games. Decorate the party space with signs and pictures celebrating different milestones and achievements in the congregation's peacemaking ministries. Thirty years ago...
May 10, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – give peace a dance!
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Give Peace a Dance! Invite community neighbors and partners to a dance that celebrates common work for peace. Thirty years ago the 192nd General Assembly (1980) of the United Presbyterian...
May 7, 2010
Living the Believer’s Calling – share stories of peacemaking
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Pick 30 people from the congregation who are peacemakers. Include saints of different ages who are or have been engaged in ministries such as social workers, student peer mediators, teachers,...
May 6, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – peace cranes
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Learn how to fold peace cranes. Incorporate this symbol into worship. See how Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA and Ridgewood Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, NY used peace cranes. The...
May 5, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – send folks to 2010 Peacemaking Seminar
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Provide scholarships for congregation members to attend Re-membering Peace: Still the Believers' Calling, the peacemaking seminar at Ghost Ranch on August 25-28, 2010 (depart on August 29). Peacemakers from across...
May 5, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – plant a peace pole
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: If the congregation has planted a peace pole, hold a rededication ceremony. If the congregation does not have a peace pole, purchase or create one. Create mini-peace poles that people...
May 4, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – host an International Peacemaker
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Talk to the presbytery peacemaking committee about hosting an International Peacemaker. International Peacemakers are leaders from countries around the world who are engaged in peacemaking. Individuals from eight countries are...
May 3, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – create a Peace Memorial
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Dedicate space as a "Peace Memorial." Start with a section of chicken wire and invite members and friends to add symbols of the things that make for peace. Thirty years...
April 30, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – create a peace mural
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking: Create a peace mural. Hang a large piece of butcher paper, cloth, or poster board in a common space in the church building. Invite people to create a congregational vision...
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 27, 2010
Living the Believers’ Calling – teach confirmands about peace
Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking Focus at least one session of the confirmation program on peace. Help confirmands learn more about peacemaking through doing. This could involve a service project or an advocacy effort such...
April 26, 2010
Live the Believers' Calling - peace facts - peace actions
Celebrate 30 years of peacemaking Start a monthly peace report in the church newsletter or bulletin. Include a “peace fact” that tells something interesting about peacemaking in the congregation, community, nation, or world. Add a “peace action” that highlights a...
April 22, 2010
Live the Believers' Calling - Study
Celebrate thirty years of peacemaking Use resources from the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program in an adult education class. Find a resource list of print materials as well as online resources. Thirty years ago the 192nd General Assembly (1980) of the United...
April 20, 2010
Live the Believers' Calling - Pray
Celebrate thirty years of peacemaking Pray for joys and concerns that relate to peacemaking in corporate worship services. Encourage congregants to remember those joys and concerns in their daily prayers. Ask different individuals to select the joys and concerns each...
March 30, 2010
Register now - 2010 Peacemaking Seminar
Register Now! 2010 Peacemaking Seminar: Re-membering Peace: Still the Believers’ Calling Location: Ghost Ranch in Abiquiui, New Mexico Dates: August 25-28 (depart on August 29) Read the seminar information brochure Use a press release to tell others about the seminar...
March 23, 2010
30 ideas for 30 years
Download 30 Ways to Mark 30 Years to find 30 ideas to celebrate 30 years of peacemaking. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Peacemaking: The Believers’ Calling, the General Assembly statement that called for a new emphasis on peacemaking...
March 22, 2010
Celebrate 30 years of peacemaking!
Give thanks for peacemakers and peacemaking ministries past, present and future! 2010 marks the 30th anniversary of Peacemaking: The Believers’ Calling, icon the General Assembly statement that called for a new emphasis on peacemaking across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and...
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 1, 2009
Updates for World AIDS Day
December 1 is World AIDS Day. The Presbyterian International AIDS Office notes that several updates and reports have been released in the last few days. These indicate that though much work remains to be done, there is good news to...
November 17, 2009
Blogging Presbyterian peacemakers
Presbyterian peacemakers have several blogs going: Trinity Presbytery blogs at Trinity Peacemakers. A recent post invites prayers for RECONCILE's Peace Institute in South Sudan. The Presbytery of Genesee Valley blogs at Presbytery Peacemaking blog. Satyagraha and Humble Service is the...
November 14, 2009
Have you done your Thanksgiving shopping?
Give your friends a copy of Proclaiming the Good News of God's Peace, a daily devotional booklet for Advent 2009. It makes a lovely Thanksgiving present! Peacemakers across the country and around God's world contributed to the booklet. Use Proclaiming...
November 2, 2009
Community of Living Traditions
Something new is happening at Stony Point Center. An interfaith intentional community dedicated to nonviolence and peacemaking is in the making. For at least five years, Christians, Muslims and Jews will live together at Stony Point where they will work,...
October 23, 2009
Proclaiming the Good News of God's Peace
Peacemakers from across the United States and around God's world contributed to Proclaiming the Good News of God's Peace, a daily devotional booklet for Advent 2009. Using lectionary texts, the writers reflect on God's gift of peace and explore what...
September 29, 2009
Operation Stand Down
Congregations use 25% of the Peacemaking Offering that they receive in peacemaking ministries of their choice. Recognizing that many veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan face tremendous problems re-entering American society, congregations are using their offering funds to...
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:...
September 27, 2009
World Communion Sunday
Many Presbyterian congregations receive the Peacemaking Offering on World Communion Sunday - October 4, this year. Each year, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program provides worship resources to use in this celebration of the Lord's Supper. Here is a prayer for the...
September 22, 2009
Observing the International Day of Peace
Here are some ways that people observed the International Day of Peace: The Iglesia Presbiteriana de Puerto Nuevo in San Juan, Puerto Rico held a service of dedication for a peace pole. Mediators Beyond Borders organized an event in the...
September 21, 2009
International Day of Peace at Presbyterian Center
The International Day of Peace was celebrated during a Taize worship service at the Presbyterian Center today. Download International Day of Peace 2009 Worship Service [Word doc]. The service included a minute of silence at noon, a prayer written by...
September 21, 2009
Is peace possible?
Is Peace with Justice Possible in Israel/Palestine? The Joining Hands for Justice, Atlanta/Palestine Committee and the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Peacemaking Committee will sponsor an event that explores that question on Saturday, October 17 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm...
September 17, 2009
Peacemaking among the early followers of Jesus
Here is a study resource that addresses the question "Is Christianity a Nonviolent Faith?" [PDF] Written by the Rev. Tim Simpson of Jacksonville, Florida, the resource explores the witness to nonviolence and peace in the New Testament and the writings...
September 10, 2009
Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor
Sing a new song! Songs of Grace includes over 70 new hymns written to celebrate biblical stories, the church year, sacraments, peacemaking and more. The new words, written to well-known hymn tunes, offer expressions of hope, joy and spiritual enrichment....
September 10, 2009
Peace be with you
Use the new Peace Be with You video to promote the Peacemaking Offering which supports peacemaking ministries across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. Download the video. Find additional promotional materials. Give to the Peacemaking Offering.
August 25, 2009
Peace be with you
Check out this video about peacemaking, the Peacemaking Offering, and the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. The Peacemaking Offering supports ministries of peacemaking on all levels of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
July 4, 2009
Poles of peace
We gathered on June 27 at the Afton Presbyterian Church. We gathered from different places and different traditions. Church leaders, singers, speakers, political leaders, friends, family, neighbors, a guitar player, and a bagpiper, we gathered. We gathered: to plant and...
June 21, 2009
What a time we had
The tent is folded. The out-of-town Presbyterians have returned to their homes. But what a time we had. Over 1,400 people participated in the Big Tent, a unique event in which ten Presbyterian conferences happened at the same time and...
June 18, 2009
Pray for peace
Prayers on Spiritual Nurture for Peacemakers this week include a prayer of confession for Men of the Church Sunday and a prayer for seeing God in one another. The page includes a daily lectionary drawn from the Biblical Witness to...
April 8, 2009
Film reviews for peacemakers
Films are a good way for peacemakers to explore issues and engage people in dialog. "Film Capsules" is a service provided by Dr. Edward McNulty that includes brief reviews of new films and DVDs, many of which deal with social...
March 6, 2009
Big Tent Registration Extended
Early bird registration for the Big Tent has been extended to March 30. The Big Tent is a unique experience in the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Ten different conferences will gather at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown...
March 2, 2009
See You at the Big Tent
"And the Word Became Flesh . . . Peacemaking in the Neighborhood" 2009 Presbyterian Peacemaking Conference at the Big Tent June 11-13, 2009 Hyatt Regency Hotel Downtown Atlanta, GA Register now for the Big Tent - a one of a...
January 30, 2009
2009 Peacemaking Conference Registration
REGISTER NOW! The 2009 Peacemaking Conference will be part of the Big Tent - a first-of-its-kind Presbyterian event taking place at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta, GA on June 11-13, 2009. Registration materials are now available. “And the Word...
December 16, 2008
Christmas Quotes and Genesee Valley
Briget Hurley, Peacemaking staff person for Genesee Valley Presbytery, has launched a new blog - Presbytery Peacemaking Blog. One post provides quotes and links to clip art related to Christmas and peace. This is intended for church newsletter writers and...
December 7, 2008
Environmental Work in Peru Featured on CNN
For 10 years, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission workers in Peru have worked to empower the residents of La Oroya, a town high in the Andes that has been devastated by mining-related environmental degradation. That decade of educating and organizing Peruvians,...
October 8, 2008
Come Join the Circle
Come Join the Circle is an album from peace educator, singer and songwriter Paulette Meier. It contains 14 songs featuring a diverse group of musicians including youth. This is a fun, musical way for children to learn lifelong skills for...
September 3, 2008
Nuclear Weapons Conference
Yale Divinity School Conference on Nuclear Weapons, Security, and Moral Leadership -- 9/18-19 Religious leaders, policy makers, business persons, and scholars will gather at a Yale Divinity School conference in September to take up the topic "Are We Safe Yet?...
July 15, 2008
Awaiting Arrivals
"You've transformed!" Actually, Room 205 at the Argyros Forum of Chapman University has been rearranged. What was once a space for the implementation team to meet has been refashioned into the conference office. Peacemaking Program staff are on their way...
July 15, 2008
Pre Conference Events Begin
Conference leaders began arriving on Saturday. Participants in pre-conference events made their way to Chapman on Sunday with those events beginning Sunday evening. Presbytery peacemaking leaders are taking part in a training led by Ervin Bullock, Associate for Peacemaking Network...
April 18, 2008
A Really Good Preacher
After hearing Mark Lomax preach for the first time, my son observed, "I thought you were a good preacher, dad, but Mark is really good!" Mark Lomax will preach at the 2008 Presbyterian Peacemaking Conference which will explore the reality...