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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- Hold Sudanese Human Rights Violators Accountable!
- US remarks at high-level talks on trafficking
- Three Prayer Concerns - May 16
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Posts with tag: poverty
November 13, 2012Some ideas for action: World Day of Prayer and Action for Children
Work to end the use of children as soldiers
The Red Hand Campaign calls for universal ratification and enforcement of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. The goal is for every country in the world to ratify the optional protocol by 2012, the tenth anniversary of treaty.
Call President Obama to send the Convention on the Rights of the Child to the Senate for advise and consent
The United States has signed, but not ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The U ...
October 15, 2012
The MDGs and World Poverty Day
A one-day social media action for
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
#EndPoverty – 17 October, 2012
At the 2000 UN Millennium Summit, world leaders from rich and poor countries alike committed themselves - at the highest political level - to a set of eight time-bound targets to help fight extreme poverty worldwide by 2015. These targets came to be known as the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs.
Over the last decade, millions have overcome extreme poverty and attained better access to health care and education. Despite the significant progress, challenges remain. With just 3 years left till the MDG deadline, we have ...
August 30, 2012
A prayer for Nigeria
“No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.”- Isaiah 60:18
June 17, 2012
The deep faith of women in Guatemala
by Elodie de Bethmann
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission co-worker Amanda Craft spoke on Friday, June 15 at Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn. Amanda has been serving in Guatemala with the IENGP (the National Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Guatemala) since 2009. Amanda’s ministry focuses on leadership development and Christian education. She helps empower women in Guatemala to address issues that are important to them, such as Christian education and service, theological education, and the World Day of Prayer. Their three main projects consist of preventing malnutrition, basic literacy training, and the national worker program.
Amanda is back ...
April 19, 2012
Prayers for Madagascar
These prayers are adapted from the Madagascar Matters Prayer Ministry of the First Presbyterian Church in Orlando
Please pray for provision and encouragement for the many who are struggling, and need food, shelter, and healthcare.
The coup government remains in power, creating on-going political and economic instability, inflation, and increased poverty and corruption. Madagascar is one of the ten Hungriest nations and over 80% of the population live on less than $220 per year.
Please pray for the other leaders of the FJKM (The Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar) that they would have wisdom, strength, resources and faith as ...
February 27, 2012
Closing song from Monday morning worship
Ecumenical Women's worship this morning was led by the Lutheran World Federation and the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Here's a clip from the closing song.
February 26, 2012
Welcome to the Commission on the Status of Women
H.E. Marjon Kamara, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations and Chair of the fifty-sixth session of the Commission on the Status of Women welcomes everyone to this year's session.
Note that the volume appears to be low.
February 26, 2012
Giving thanks for the community of advocates
September 26, 2011
The Witness of the Church in Madagascar
Forgiveness means liberation.
Forgiveness means restitution and repairing.
Forgiveness means reconciliation.
The Rev. Hubert Rakotoarivony, International Peacemaker from Madagascar, reflected on the importance of forgiveness as he spoke to a group of 18 people from 9 congregations.
Hubert, along with Dan Turk, PC(USA) mission co-worker in Madagascar, addressed the witness of the church in Madagascar.
Hubert spoke of the work toward peacemaking and reconciliation of the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM). This begins with an awareness that peace is not just the absence of war or conflict. Peace is active. Peace involves social justice, equity, dignity, non-discrimination ...
May 2, 2011
Celebrate World Fair Trade Day in May
World Fair Trade Day is celebrated the first two weeks in May in many places throughout the world. In the United States, World Fair Trade Day is coordinated by Fair Trade Resource Network. The theme for 2011 Fair Trade Day...
April 29, 2011
Setting a budget consistent with our faith
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness is concerned about the impact of the House approved Ryan budget on persons living in poverty across the globe, including the U.S. Although many congressional arguments are framed as partisan politics and...
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...
November 11, 2010
Ban Ki-moon: G20 nations must not forget plight of world’s poorest at Seoul summit
From the United Nations News Centre: The world’s richest nations must take into account the needs of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people in their plans for reinforcing the global economic recovery – that was one of the key...
November 9, 2010
Peace Starts Here
UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, has launched Peace Starts Here, a Web site that will provide glimpses into the lives of Palestinian refugees. Fifteen short video clips will look at...
November 8, 2010
Achieving the Millennium Development Goals: Teaching for Action
The Committee on Teaching about the United Nations invites you to register for their 2011 Conference. The event, Achieving the Millennium Development Goals: Teaching for Action will be held on Friday, January 14, 2011 in the North Lawn Conference Building...
October 9, 2010
Understanding is the key to success in Bolivia, pastor says
From the Presbyterian News Service: International Peacemaker "The Rev. Luis Perez Alanoca is pastor of the Independent Presbyterian Church in Bolivia and a professor of music. He is also the president of the Independent Presbyterian Church in Bolivia. He is...
September 28, 2010
Mexico 'country of contrast,' says peacemaker
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - News & Announcements - Mexico 'country of contrast,' says peacemaker. International Peacemaker "Brenda Celia Trinidad Espitia is a graduate of the Presbyterian Pan American School in Kingsville, Texas, and is an active member of Emanuel Presbyterian...
July 26, 2010
Nonviolent Community Change Workshop
You Can't Stop the River 2010 Nonviolent Community Change Workshop October 28-31, 2010 Harrisburg First Church of the Brethren 219 Hummel St, Harrisburg, PA 17104 $150.00 per participant This four-day workshop focuses on developing skills and spiritual strength for nonviolent...
June 11, 2010
A prayer of hope for peace in Colombia
O God, how long will those who make war govern our countries? O God, how long will those who steal, kill and destroy have so much power? O God, how long will security be like a long night of terror?...
June 4, 2010
An election in a country where many hunger
By Matt Lang To understand the elections in the Philippines, you need to first understand a bit about the economics of the Philippines. There are many statistics that I could roll out, but allow me to start with one: 40%...
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 13, 2010
Read Washington Report
The March/April 2010 issue of Washington Report to Presbyterians has articles on: Overcoming Poverty through Just Tax Policy Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women In This City ... (Jerusalem) New Director of Public Witness for the Washington Office...
April 19, 2010
Dry Land, Living Stones: Peacemaking in Israel and Palestine
Tuesday, May 11, 2010 8:00am - 8:00pm Presbyterian United Nations Office 777 United Nations Plaza, 7th Floor New York, NY Human beings face increasingly complex challenges as the world confronts issues like climate change, hunger and poverty, and conflict. This...
April 7, 2010
Zaccheus Was a Tax Man
Bread for the World encourages congregations to observe Sunday, April 11, or Wednesday, April 14, as "Tax Day:" a to think and pray about the role of taxes and tax credits. Bread has created free resources to help mark the...
March 24, 2010
Remember Oscar Romero
Join the people of El Salvador in remembering Archbishop Oscar Romero who was assassinated 30 years ago today while celebrating the Eucharist. Remember his commitment to our sisters and brothers who know poverty and oppression; remember his calls to peace...
February 24, 2010
Reduce nuclear weapons, hunger and poverty
With one email, letter, phone call, or visit, you can call for a step that would help reduce nuclear weapons, hunger and poverty. Urge your representative to support H Res 278. It is especially important to contact members serving on...
February 6, 2010
Toward a crucial step for Haiti
U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner announced today that "the United States will work with its partners around the world to relieve all debts owed by Haiti to international institutions and to ensure grant financing to support Haiti's reconstruction and recovery...
January 27, 2010
Farmworker Freedom March
From the PC(USA) Campaign for Fair Food: Announcing the day of God’s favor, the gospel of Luke tells us Jesus inaugurated his ministry by reading from the scroll of Isaiah, proclaiming release to the captives. As followers of Jesus we...
January 4, 2010
Support the Jubilee Act
Ask Your Representative to Co-Sponsor the Jubilee Act Today The Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation (HR 4405) cancels impoverished country debt, prohibits harmful economic and policy conditions on debt cancellation, mandates transparency and responsibility in lending...
July 7, 2009
Help protect the world's poorest countries
Call your US Representative today and ask him or her to co-sponsor the Stop VULTURES Fund Act (HR 292\32). On June 18th, Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Spencer Bachus (R-AL) re-introduced , a bill in the House of Representatives that...
May 2, 2009
$1339 billion (or just over $1200)
$1339 billion. That is what the world is estimated to have spent on military expenditures in 2007. $1339 billion. The report talks about the difference between current dollars and 2005 constant dollars (a lower figure of just over $1200 billion)....
April 24, 2009
Pray for Peace
This week's Spiritual Nurture for Peacemakers includes a prayer for Rural Life Sunday, a prayer for the war in Iraq by the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, and a prayer for those who live in poverty. Use or adapt the...
February 19, 2009
Three Islands, Three Countries
By Nancy Eng MacNeill An island of 7 million people, Hong Kong reminds me of being in San Francisco. The streets are busy and wind ascending hills among tall skyscrapers. Entering Hong Kong you can sense the vibrancy of the...
September 26, 2008
Election Year Resources
Are you going to watch tonight's presidential debate? Here are a number of resources for use during this election year. The PC(USA) Public Policy Advocacy Team provides a variety of “Christian and Citizen” resources. These include information on positions taken...
June 2, 2008
The Power of Poverty: An Event for Young Women
An Event for Young Women The Power of Poverty August 6-10, 2008 Register now and join a diverse gathering of college women from across the country! - Discover your voice - Develop life-long friendships - Engage in Hands-on service with...
May 31, 2008
International Peacemaker from Colombia
The Rev. Diego Higuita-Arango Unfortunately, when many Americans think of Colombia (PDF), two things come instantly to mind: coffee and cocaine. But Colombians would like Americans and the rest of the world to know that there is much, much more...
May 30, 2008
International Peacemaker from Portugal
Ms. Maria Eduarda Castanheira Until it joined the European Union in 1986, Portugal was considered one of the poorer nations of Europe. Since that time it has enjoyed a fair measure of prosperity and economic success coupled with a more...
May 18, 2008
A Faithful Summer Vacation
Sowing Mustard Seeds; Working for God’s Justice, Confronting Poverty is the theme of the 2008 Peacemaking Conference planned for July 15-19 at Chapman University in Southern California. Register now. Co-directors Edie Gause and Andrew Short commented, “ It’s inspiring to...
May 17, 2008
Promote the Conference
A bulletin insert (PDF) promoting the 2008 Peacemaking Conference is now available. Download the insert and share it in your congregation. Register to attend the conference. The conference will explore links between poverty, militarism, trade policies and poverty through keynote...
April 19, 2008
Fair Food and Human Rights
Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the General Assembly Council, has posted a reflection on the many PC(USA) connections with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and their work to end slave labor, human trafficking, and exploitation in agricultural fields across...
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...
April 15, 2008
Guess Who's Coming to the Peacemaking Conference
Who will you hear when you attend the 2008 Peacemaking Conference? Anuradha Mittal, executive director of The Oakland Institute and a native of India, is an internationally renowned expert on trade, development, human rights and agriculture. Anuradha will address questions...
April 7, 2008
2008 Peacemaking Conference
Register online for the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program Intergenerational Conference. Sowing Mustard Seeds: Working for God’s Justice — Confronting Poverty July 15-19, 2008 Chapman University Orange, California Deconstruct the multiple issues that connect and entwine to sustain poverty in our communities...
February 29, 2008
South Africa: Joining Hands against Hunger in Lesotho
Cindy Easterday, Guest Author Kopano ke Matla Toant’song ea Bofuma Lesotho (Unity Is Strength in the Fight against Poverty) is the Joining Hands against Hunger network in Lesotho. Initiated in 2002 through the Presbyterian Hunger Program, KKM is one of...