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.
Recent posts
- Hold Sudanese Human Rights Violators Accountable!
- US remarks at high-level talks on trafficking
- Three Prayer Concerns - May 16
- Three Prayer Concerns - May 9
- A New Method of Healing for a Wounded World
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Posts with tag: unicef
February 6, 2013UNICEF Tap Project
This year, the UNICEF Tap Project will live on Facebook. You can donate using the UNICEF Tap Project Facebook App and keep the water flowing with the help of your Facebook friends. With your support, we will turn the world’s largest social network into a water network. We will raise awareness about the world water crisis and provide an essential resource to children around the world like we’ve never done before. More information on how you can be a part of the world’s biggest water network for children is coming soon. So stay tuned…
But you can ...
November 13, 2012
Some groups working on behalf of children: World Day of Prayer and Action for Children
Presbyterian Mission Agency
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Presbyterian Child Advocacy Network of PHEWA
Presbyterians in Covenant with Children
Presbyterian Kids4Kids - helping children act
A Vision for Children and the Church
United Nations
UNICEF
United Nations Children’s Day
Other Non-governmental Organizations
World Day of Prayer and Action for Children
Thanks to Sera Chung for working on this post.
October 22, 2012
Happy Birthday, United Nations
United Nations Day - October 24 - marks the birthday of the UN.
The UN Charter entered into force on October 24, 1945 - 67 years ago.
How will you celebrate this day? Here are some ideas:
Listen to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's UN Day message.
Participate in #UNDay on Twitter.
Pray for those who work in the United Nations system.
Use a hymn written by the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette. The hymn in bulletin format. The hymn with music. Check out a video of the hymn.
Participate in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF a program started by ...
October 22, 2012
Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
We are taking part in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. How about you?
This program began in Philadelphia in 1950, the idea of Presbyterians Clyde and Mary Emma Allison as a way to respond to the needs of children in the aftermath of World War II.
In the sixty years since those orange cartons (decorated milk cartons were first used) have been used by children and adults to raise almost $167 million dollars. Those funds are used by UNICEF to provide food, medicine, and education to help children thrive.
By participating in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, Presbyterians serve in the global neighborhood as ...
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 ...
May 7, 2012
Passport to Zero: U.S. Fund for UNICEF 2012 Annual Meeting
Last week, I joined our partners from the US Fund for UNICEF for the 2012 Annual Meeting. Partners from across the UNICEF spectrum including UNICEF field personnel, corporate donors, individual donors, and other NGOs met together in New York City because we believe in zero.
Zero is UNICEF’s goal. Five years ago, 25,500 children died from preventable diseases each day, today that number is 21,000. UNICEF’s goal is to bring that number to zero.
April 2, 2012
Sound the alarm for children in the Sahel
From our partners at UNICEF.
March 29, 2012
Landmines: a continuing threat
On April 4 the United Nations will observe the 7th annual International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a commendable record in the campaign against landmines, but the crisis is not certainly over.
March 13, 2012
South Sudan’s army signs pact with UN to release all children in its ranks
The Sudanese People’s Liberation Army of South Sudan (SPLA) today signed an agreement with the United Nations renewing its commitment to release all children within its ranks.
March 12, 2012
Kony 2012 and children in armed conflict
by Jessica Hawkinson
Millions of viewers have tuned in to the KONY2012 video and campaign, recently released by the organization Invisible Children. The campaign encourages public support for the arrest of Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), who is wanted for trial by the International Criminal Court. Kony is charged for, among other things, the widespread recruitment and use of child soldiers. The campaign also seeks to build support for the disarmament of the LRA and rehabilitation of these child soldiers.
For all of the support the campaign has gained, many key stakeholders have raised ...
March 7, 2012
Tap Project at the CSW
Presbyterian participants at the 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women helped provide clean water for children around the world. They conributed to the UNICEF Tap Project for the coffee and tea provided by the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. You could do the same during a coffee hour, fellowship meal, or other time people gather.
February 22, 2012
Responding to child labor trafficking
What can we do to address human trafficking – particularly child labor trafficking?
The participants in the Central New York Presbytery Partnership Group seminar at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations identified the following ideas to use in their congregations, schools, and communities:
- Learn about the Presbyterian Human Trafficking Roundtable
- Use Fair Trade products
- Find a list of products from the PC(USA)
- Learn about the PC(USA)’s Global Marketplace
- See Fair Trade USA’s products page - companies listed here are not evaluated by the PC(USA)
- Use Sweat-Free T-Shirts for groups or sports teams
- Support the Presbyterian ...
December 10, 2011
Tap Project brings water to world's children
Would you pay for tap water in a restaurant?
Would you pay for tap water if it made a difference to children in Togo, Vietnam, Mauritania, and Cameroon?
By participating in the UNICEF Tap Project, you support UNICEF’s efforts to bring clean and accessible water to millions of children around the world.
What is the Tap Project?
In 2007, the UNICEF Tap Project was born in New York City based on a simple, tangible and easy-to-implement concept: restaurants would ask their patrons to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free, and ...
October 28, 2011
Trick or Treat for UNICEF this weekend
What are you doing this weekend?
Be sure to spend part of your time taking part in some way in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.
This program began in Philadelphia in 1950, the idea of Presbyterians Clyde and Mary Emma Allison who wondered "Why can't kids collect food for starving children?"
In the sixty years since those orange cartons (decorated milk cartons were first used) have been used by children and adults to raise almost $160 million dollars.
Those funds are used by UNICEF to provide food, medicine, and education to help children thrive.
By participating in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, Presbyterians ...
October 23, 2011
No child soldiers
The group from the Presbytery of Geneva made Red Hands during their seminar.
They also made Red Hands before they came to the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations for their seminar.
This banner was made by members of First Presbyterian Church in Gowanda, New York.
Thanks to all for their witness to a world in which children are children, not soldiers!
October 14, 2011
Children from Newark, NY say no child soldiers
The group from the Presbytery of Geneva made Red Hands during their seminar.
They also made Red Hands before they came to the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations for their seminar.
This banner was made by the children (ages 3 to 6) and teachers at the Roosevelt Children's Center in Newark, NY.
Thanks to all for their witness to a world in which children are children, not soldiers!
October 14, 2011
First Presbyterian Church of Horseheads says no child soldiers
The group from the Presbytery of Geneva made Red Hands during their seminar.
They also made Red Hands before they came to the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations for their seminar.
The Sunday School children of the First Presbyterian Church of Horseheads made this banner. The mittens attached to the banner were made by the church's knitting club.
Thanks to all for their witness to a world in which children are children, not soldiers!
October 14, 2011
Geneva Presbytery says "No" to child soldiers
From the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, they journeyed to New York City. Thirty-six in number, of many different ages, the group from the Presbytery of Geneva included a visit to the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations as part of their trip. On Saturday, October 8, we met outside the United Nations.
As I came up First Avenue, I saw a group gathered at the entrance. I guessed they were Presbyterians from Geneva, but I was not sure until I saw one of them carrying a stack of Red Hands - addressing the use of children as soldiers ...
September 30, 2011
A prayer for UNICEF on United Nations Day
Here is a prayer for United Nations Day - October 24. Since that comes just one week before Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, this prayer lifts up UNICEF's important work caring for the world's children.
God of the days and months and years of our lives, we give thanks for the community of nations that is embodied in the United Nations. We are grateful for vision of UNICEF, for their call to believe in zero- that not one single child should die of preventable causes. Stir us to embrace our own vision that one or two or three Christians can make ...
September 29, 2011
United Nations Day - October 24
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has long supported the United Nations and its work.
The anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter on October 24, 1945 has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. It has traditionally been marked throughout the world by meetings, discussions and exhibits on the achievements and goals of the Organization.
Ideas for observing the day include:
Lift up the work of the United Nations in prayer.
Pray for those who work in the United Nations system.
Use a hymn written by Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette. The ...
September 1, 2011
Almost Heaven visits the Big Apple
The James A. Farley Post Office Building here in New York bears the insciption, "neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."
For an intrepid group from the Presbytery of West Virginia, not even the aftermath of Hurricane Irene could keep them from coming to the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations for a seminar on human trafficking. The plans had been made for some time. As the day drew near and so did the hurricane, texts flew between New York and Charleston, prayers were said, weather ...
July 13, 2011
US statement on children in armed conflict
Below are remarks from U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice on the open debate on children in armed conflict held yesterday in the United Nations Security Council:
Thank you, Mr. President. We’re grateful to you, Mr. Minister, as well as to Ambassador Wittig and the German Mission for hosting this important debate and for your leadership as Chair of the Security Council Working Group. We also very much appreciate the important statements by the Secretary General, Special Representative Coomaraswamy and UNICEF Executive Director Tony Lake.
Mr. President, abuses against children in armed conflicts do not just tear at our hearts ...
June 27, 2011
Trick-or-Treat Congress for UNICEF
Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs (Matthew 19:14).’
In response to Jesus’ concern for children, Presbyterians have Trick-or-Treated to raise funds to support UNICEF and its work for children around the world. I’ve encouraged Presbyterians to do so - even going so far as playing UNICEF Box Man.
Now we have a chance to Trick-or-Treat Congress when we ask the U.S. Congress to continue its funding of UNICEF.
Every fiscal year, the U.S. Congress must pass ...
April 30, 2011
Thursday night in Queens
"You have the coolest job." That was one of the closing comments to my time at the First Presbyterian Church in Whitestone. Pastor Andy James had invited me to visit during Lent and share about the Presbyterian Ministry at the...
April 1, 2011
Habitat for Elgin - Water for the World
A group from the Agape House Center for Christian Ministry at the University of Illinois at Chicago went to Elgin to work on a Habitat for Humanity house on March 23, 2011. On that same day, they collected money for...
March 26, 2011
Madagascar: Route to Democracy Needs Revision
As people clamor for democracy across North Africa, the United States has an opportunity to support a return to democracy in Madagascar. The United States can do this by calling on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to revise the...
March 14, 2011
Share a drink of clean water
Participate in the UNICEF Tap Project Providing clean water helps achieve Millennium Development Goal 4: Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate
March 13, 2011
About the UNICEF Tap Project
Share a drink of water through the UNICEF Tap Project Check out participating restaurants Find ways to help In 2007, the UNICEF Tap Project was born in New York City based on a simple concept: restaurants would ask their patrons...
February 25, 2011
What will I do?
Participants were asked to ponder "What will I do with what I have learned?" at the close of the Fab Five Seminar on climate change and its impacts at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. Responses included: Push my...
February 15, 2011
About the UNICEF Tap Project
Spend $1 (or more) on tap water at the restaurant of your choice and help bring water to children around the world. That's the simple idea behind the UNICEF Tap Project. In 2007, the UNICEF Tap Project was born in...
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...
January 12, 2011
Cooper House 2011 Winter Break Alternate Mission Trip
A group from the Cooper House Presbyterian Campus Ministry at Virginia Tech visited the offices of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations on January 11. The visit was part of their 2011 Winter Break Alternate Mission Trip. Six students...
November 21, 2010
Children and Armed Conflict
Children and Armed Conflict From the statement for Universal Children's Day by Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General Radhika Coomaraswamy and Under-Secretary-General Alain Le Roy: November 20 is Universal Children’s Day, a day to celebrate youth and to demonstrate...
October 25, 2010
Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF in the Brooklyn area
Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations If you happen to be in Brooklyn this weekend and are looking for a way to help support UNICEF's work to care for children around the world. Here's an opportunity: Brooklyn for Peace, which...
October 14, 2010
Trick or Treat for UNICEF
Presbyterian United Nations Ministry It has been a long time since I have attended a Halloween party. I did so tonight, joining nearly 200 adults and children to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. This program began in...
August 6, 2010
What happened to all those red hands?
The first batch of red hands and letters has been delivered. Over 800 red hands were created by participants in the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, They had the simple message: children should be children, not soldiers. Participants wrote some 200 letters...
July 15, 2010
Sixty years of Trick or Treat
Several anniversaries were celebrated during the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Minneapolis. The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program marked thirty years of ministry. Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF marked its sixtieth anniversary. For sixty years, children have been helping...
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...
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...
October 22, 2009
Trick or treat for UNICEF - more of the story
From the Presbyterian Child Advocacy Office: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the PC(USA) have long had a special relationship. Why? Because Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF was initiated by the Rev. Clyde Allison, a Presbyterian minister. Allison's children and others...
October 19, 2009
Trick or treat for Unicef - the quick post
A longer post will follow, but here is a quick reminder to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.
February 12, 2009
Red Hand Day Arrives
Today, former child soldiers and other youth representing a grassroots campaign from around the world will present thousands of symbolic “red hands” to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to demand stronger action by international leaders to end the use of child soldiers....
July 28, 2008
Contact House Candidates: Ban Cluster Bombs
Candidates for the U.S. House need to hear now that voters support a cluster bomb ban so that they will feel urgency to ban these indiscriminate weapons after the election. Please urge your House candidates to call for a ban...