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 General Assembly Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
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Posts with tag: presbyterian disaster assistance
December 24, 2011PC(USA) responds to typhoon in the Philippines
In the aftermath of the typhoon that struck the Philippines, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is responding with One Great Hour of Sharing and designated funds in cooperation with our ecumenical partner ACT Alliance, and our mission partner the National Council of Churches of the Philippines (NCCP). Some NCCP churches are being used for as emergency shelter sites. The National Council of Churches of the Philippines is also a member of ACT Alliance. ACT members are already carrying out damage and needs assessments and helping to meet the most urgent needs.
PDA funds will help to meet the immediate need for food ...
August 24, 2011
A new hymn to support relief efforts in the Horn of Africa
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has written a new hymn that to support the churches’ famine relief efforts in the Horn of Africa. O God, You Love the Needy includes references in it to the lectionary texts for Sunday, August 28.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs provides information concerning the situation in the Horn of Africa.
Hold the people living in the Horn of Africa in prayer.
Support the humanitarian response by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
August 18, 2011
WCC general secretary calls for urgent action in the Horn of Africa
The following release came from the general secretary of the World Council of Churches of which the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a member. The World Council of Churches requests donations go to ACT Alliance, a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) partner. Another way to give is through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
In comments to staff of the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 18 August, the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit expressed alarm at the “blocking and hindering of the food supply in famine-struck Somalia, with the effect that more and more people are dying. This interference with humanitarian ...
July 27, 2011
Numbers and the Horn of Africa
Reports from UN the Horn of Africa estimate that 10,000,000 people are experiencing a severe food crisis.
That's more people than live in New York City (not including urban area).
That's more people than live in Wyoming, Washington D.C., Vermont, North Dakota, Alaska, South Dakota, Delaware, Montana, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine combined.
Here are some ideas of how to respond:
Give to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
July 22, 2011
PC(USA) responds to crisis in Horn of Africa
From Presbyterian Disaster Assistance:
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has provided $100,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing funds to help meet the immediate and basic humanitarian needs of people affected by the drought in the Horn of Africa. PDA is responding to this crisis as a member of ACT Alliance. Fellow ACT Alliance members with programs in Somalia are planning to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to newly displaced people in Mogadishu, drought affected people in Gedo region, refugees in Dadaab camp in Kenya and host communities in both countries.
ACT members are already in the process of distributing 262 ...
July 21, 2011
Crisis in the Horn of Africa
Some 10 million people in the Horn of Africa face a severe food crisis and could starve following a prolonged drought. "In some areas of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda, drought conditions are the worst in 60 years, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in an update."
On July 20, the United Nations "declared a famine in two regions of southern Somalia owing to the worst drought in decades, and appealed for urgent resources to assist millions of people in desperate need of help."
The crisis has resulted in a significant increase in the number ...
March 22, 2011
On a rainy day . . .
. . . in New York town, I thought a lot about water. Recognizing the destructive power of water, I made a gift to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to care for those in Japan affected by the tsunami. Recognizing our dependence...
March 11, 2011
Prayers for the people of Japan and the Pacific Rim
Please pray for the people of Japan and the entire Pacific Rim following today's devastating earthquake and tsunami. For those wishing to give toward relief efforts, watch for the response from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
November 5, 2010
UN humanitarian agency: Pakistan flooding victims still in urgent need of support
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that Pakistan flooding victims still in urgent need of support. And Presbyterian Disaster Assistance continues to respond to the needs of flood-affected families in Pakistan. In cooperation with Church World...
August 20, 2010
'Coming home' five years after Katrina struck
NBC special on August 29Watch a preview For many Americans, August 29 marks an anniversary that has scarred both bodies and souls. That was the day, five years ago, when Hurricane Katrina made a direct assault on New Orleans, Mississippi...
August 16, 2010
Pakistan floods
Floods have devastated Pakistan. As of August 15, some 1,500 people have been killed. Up to 20 million have lost their homes. Give to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance's disaster relief fundUse a bulletin insert from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Pray: Gracious God,...
July 20, 2010
A prayer for Haiti
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us. Open our eyes that we may see you in the people that we meet and in the creation that you have made. Open our ears that we may hear you in...
June 19, 2010
World Refugee Day - June 20, 2010
It is late - tomorrow is World Refugee Day. Here are resources from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Here's a prayer: God of the journey, We remember that Mary and Joseph Had to flee to Egypt, Taking Jesus to safety, Leaving home...
June 4, 2010
A prayer in the aftermath of the Gulf oil spill
God of creation and redemption, we pray for your healing powers upon your earth. As we have failed to be good stewards of creation, save your seas from the pollution of the oil spill. Protect the animals and marshlands from...
May 7, 2010
Presbyterians in Nashville respond to flood
Presbyterian News Service has posted a story about folks in Nashville beginning the clean-up from the recent flooding. Here's the most recent update from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance on the flooding in Tennessee.
May 6, 2010
Update from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
From Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: Tornadoes and torrential rains affected several southern states the weekend of May 1, 2010. Nearly 20 inches of rain in a two day period caused severe flooding and forced thousands of residents to flee their homes...
February 28, 2010
Pray for the people of Chile
From the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): On Saturday, February 27, 2010, an earthquake measuring 8.8 occurred off the coast of Chile in the Maule region approximately 115 kilometers north of the country's second largest city, Concepción. Early reports are that there...
February 9, 2010
Support debt cancellation for Haiti
Many advocacy and relief groups note that dealing with Haiti's international debt will play a key role in that country's recovery from the earthquake. Several groups have initiated campaigns to cancel the debt. The United States Treasury and the G7...
February 2, 2010
Help Haiti
Want to help Haiti? Give to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance . But also encourage Treasury Secretary Geithner to cancel Haiti’s debt and ensure that future aid is in the form of grants not loans. Sign a petition by the ONE Campaign.
January 15, 2010
Call for A Comprehensive Response to the Catastrophe in Haiti
This advocacy opportunity comes from the Presbyterian Washington Office. Call on the Obama administration to respond to the earthquake in Haiti in a comprehensive way.Our hearts and prayers are with the people of Haiti. We urge the U.S. government and...
January 15, 2010
Haiti: Give, Act, Pray
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance offers bulletin inserts on how we can give, act, and pray to aid our sisters and brothers in Haiti whose lives have been disrupted and devastated by the earthquake in Haiti. Bulletin insert with images [pdf] Bulletin...
January 14, 2010
Presbyterians and Haiti
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has created an index page on Haiti. The page includes a giving opportunity, worship resources and links to information about Presbyterians and Haiti.
January 14, 2010
A hymn for Haiti
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has written a hymn reflecting on the earthquake in Haiti: In Haiti There is Anguish [pdf] The hymn concludes with a call to respond: "And may we see, in others’ pain, the cross we’re called to bear;...
January 13, 2010
Quick takes on Haiti
Here are some links to information and action opportunities concerning the earthquake in Haiti: Pray. Give to disaster relief. Make Gifts of the Heart hygiene kits. A hymn for Haiti. Additional information from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Regarding PC(USA) mission personnel...
January 13, 2010
Presbyterian response to Haiti
Give to the response to our sisters and brothers in need in Haiti. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is responding to the recent earthquake in Haiti through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) and its partners. PDA will provide updates on the earthquake...
January 13, 2010
Pray for Haiti
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has posted a prayer for the people and nation of Haiti as they struggle to recover from the earthquake. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow notes, "Sometimes in the face of tragedy and feelings of helplessness,...
January 13, 2010
Haiti
Pray for the people of Haiti in the aftermath of yesterday's earthquake. Pray for the world as the nations and peoples respond. Give to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance or other organization that will provide aid to those affected by the earthquake.
January 8, 2010
Cold Weather Care
Recognizing the freezing and subzero temperatures that have gripped the United States, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) provides ideas for ways that congregations can provide care to our sisters and brothers who are vulnerable to the cold. PDA is encouraging Presbyterian...
December 8, 2009
Advent devotion - December 8, 2009
Scripture: Psalm 33 “Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” (Psalm 33:21–22) Sometimes I question God. How did God,...
November 7, 2009
Fort Hood Shooting
As our prayers continue for all impacted by and affected by the shooting at Fort Hood: the senior Presbyterian military chaplain has addressed the event and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has responded.
September 30, 2009
Respond to Ondoy
Financial gifts to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance will help our sisters and brothers in the Philippines whose lives have been devastated by Tropical Storm “Ketsana,” also known as “Ondoy,” This storm swept across metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon on...
June 4, 2009
Update - Sri Lanka
The people of Sri Lanka remain in need of prayer as they seek justice and work to rebuild. The UN Security Council will hear a briefing from the Secretary-General on June 5. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance continues to participate in the...
March 25, 2009
Pray for peace
This week, Spiritual Nurture for Peacemakers includes a prayer for the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering that supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People; a prayer for the people of Gaza; and a prayer...
December 30, 2008
For the People of Gaza
The United Nations reports that 320 people have died in Gaza since Saturday, December 27. In that same time period, the BBC cites Israeli sources indicating that 110 rockets have been fired into Israel resulting in the deaths of 2...
October 2, 2008
The Peacemaking Offering and the Presbyterian Hurricane Response
As congregations celebrate World Communion Sunday and receive the Peacemaking Offering, we are mindful of those in our communities who are in need of God’s healing and reconciling peace. Likewise, we are mindful of those who we may never see,...
August 14, 2008
Relief Efforts in Georgia
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is supporting humanitarian relief efforts to help refugees and those internally displaced by fighting in Georgia. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that the conflict has displaced around 100,000 people, with some having fled to...
May 11, 2008
More on Myanmar
The few images from Myanmar are heartbreaking. The magnitude of the suffering is staggering. The actions of the military junta are mindboggling. The world seeks to respond but many rightly wonder if aid will make it to the people most...