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 General Assembly Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
Recent posts
- Do one thing for diversity and inclusion
- Palestinian prisoners, Israel agree to end of hunger strike
- A call from the Madagascar Council of Churches
- Authorize a Violence Against Women Act consistent with Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) policy
- Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike
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Posts with tag: world council of churches
April 23, 2012World Week of Prayer for Peace in Palestine and Israel 2012
28 May - 3 June 2012
Pray, educate, and advocate for justice
The Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) of the World Council of Churches invites member churches, faith-based communities, and civil society organizations to join together in 2012 for a week of advocacy and action in support of an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine and a just peace for all in Palestine and Israel. Congregations and individuals around the globe who share the hope of justice shall unite during the week to take peaceful actions, together, to create a common international public witness.
During World Week for Peace 2012 ...
March 27, 2012
The WCC and human rights issues in the Philippines
The World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on World Mission and Evangelism met in Manila, the Philippines, from March 22-27. The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) hosted the event which focused on the theme “Together towards life: mission and evangelism in changing landscapes”. According to the WCC news story, participants analyzed a draft of the statement on mission and evangelism that will be presented at the 2103 WCC 10th Assembly in Busan, Korea.
Prior to the Commission meeting, the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit and other WCC staff met and discussed human rights violations in the Philippines ...
August 8, 2011
Situation in Syria
Presbyterians, with people around the world, hold the country and people of Syria in prayer during these challenging days. Presbyterians have been involved in Syria from the early 1800s, when early American Presbyterian missionaries came to the Near East. American Presbyterians took the lead in Syria, as they had in Lebanon, in education, health care and church development. However, most mission work has been united in Syria (and Lebanon) under one mission society, which includes Presbyterians from Scotland and Ireland and Lutherans from Denmark. In 1956 the Mission Society of Syria and Lebanon encouraged and helped develop national leadership in ...
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 26, 2011
Becoming an HIV and AIDS Competent Church
The 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) adopted the resolution, “Becoming an HIV and AIDS Competent Church: Prophetic Witness and Compassionate Action” in exercise of its responsibility to help the whole church address matters of “social righteousness.” The resolution identifies issues impacting people living with HIV and AIDS such as poverty, gender inequality and cultural and traditional practices, both in the United States and globally. It recommends to the PC(USA) a response of compassionate action and prophetic witness. In 2008, the World Council of Churches started promoting HIV-competent churches, which called for churches to ...
July 23, 2011
Pray with the people of Norway and all victims of vioence and terror
People around the world will join in prayer with and for the people of Norway following yesterday's terrible attacks. The World Council of Churches provides a prayer for the people of Norway and all victims of violence and terror.
June 22, 2011
Is God calling you to serve as an Ecumenical Accompanier in Palestine and Israel?
Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs) play a key role in efforts pursuing a just peace in Israel and Palestine. EAs provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and report human rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace. EAs come from around the world and are part of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel of the World Council of Churches. When they return home, EAs campaign for a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through an end to the occupation, respect for international law and implementation of UN resolutions.
Presbyterian Clark Scalera served with the ...
June 10, 2011
Come Holy Spirit to the people of Sudan
Come Holy Spirit, come to the people of Sudan.
Come Holy Spirit, come to break the hold of violence.
Come Holy Spirit, come to turn the people around.
Come Holy Spirit, come to draw the people together.
Come Holy Spirit, come to build unity within diversity.
Come Holy Spirit, come to lead the people in paths of peace.
Come Holy Spirit, come to guide the people to establish justice.
Come Holy Spirit, come to the people of Sudan.
Amen.
May 27, 2011
A Jerusalem Prayer - May 29, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011 begins the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel 2011. Here is a prayer for that day from the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem: Isaiah 2:1-5; 11:9 “In days to come the mountain of the Lord's...
May 17, 2011
Video of International Ecumenical Peace Convocation
The World Council of Churches (WCC) will be web streaming the plenary sessions and special events of the upcoming International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC). The video streams will be live from the Mona campus of the University of West Indies...
May 13, 2011
IEPC Theme Song
For Jamaican singer/songwriter Grub Cooper, music is not only the universal language but also the fastest way to reach people and touch their emotions. And for Cooper, the music has to be accessible to all. During the past 40 years...
April 29, 2011
Resources for World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel
Here are some resources to use or adapt for the week of advocacy and action for a just peace in Palestine and Israel sponsored by the World Council of Churches on May 29 - June 4. The Jerusalem Prayer for...
April 26, 2011
Trees and Tweets for Peace
World Sunday for Peace - May 22 As the sun rises on Sunday 22 May Christians and churches across the world are being encouraged by the World Council of Churches (WCC) to celebrate God’s peace in their worship services, to...
April 25, 2011
World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel
The World Council of Churches invites member churches and related organizations to join a week of advocacy and action for a just peace in Palestine and Israel on May 29 - June 4. Congregations and individuals around the globe who...
March 11, 2011
IEPC course for seminarians
Graduate study in peacemaking will be available for academic credit at the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC), held 17-23 May in Kingston, Jamaica and sponsored by the World Council of Churches (WCC). A course for seminarians and other graduate students...
February 25, 2011
Books key to the battle against HIV and AIDS in Africa
Books key to the battle against HIV and AIDS in Africa. From the World Council of Churches: Three decades into the AIDS pandemic it has become clear that churches, non-governmental agencies and governments need to redouble their efforts to combat...
December 6, 2010
Praying for change in Myanmar
From the World Council of Churches “We believe in change and ask that you continue to pray for us.” This was the message an international team of church representatives heard again and again, as they visited people and churches in...
November 27, 2010
WCC Living Letters Team to visit Philippines
An international team of church representatives will pay a solidarity visit to churches, ecumenical organizations and civil society movements in the Philippines from 1 to 5 December. It will be the last in a series of "Living Letters" visits to...
November 27, 2010
Statement of expression of concern over tensions on the Korean Peninsula
From the World Council of Churches: Geneva, 24 November 2010 It is with great concern that we received the news about the escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula. Yesterday’s use of artillery and reports of casualties on Yeonpyeong Island...
November 4, 2010
Concern expressed over killings at Iraqi church
A number of groups and individuals have expressed concern over the October 31, 2010 attack on the Sayyidat Al-Najat Church (Our Lady of Salvation Church) in Baghdad. Among them are: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) leadership The World Council of Churches A...
May 25, 2010
Worship materials for World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel
May 29 through June 4, 2010 is designated the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel by the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum of the World Council of Churches. Here are liturgical materials for the week: The Heads of Churches in...
May 25, 2010
World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel
From the World Council of Churches In countries across six continents, religious communities, people of faith, human rights and peace organizations are preparing to mark the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel from May 29 to June 4, 2010....
April 12, 2010
Reflections on START
Various individuals, faith communities, think tanks, advocacy groups and more have commented on the recently signed START treaty that would reduce the number of nuclear arms held by the United States and Russia. Here are some of them: Statement by...
March 18, 2010
Peacemaking in Jamaica
The Decade to Overcome Violence initiative of the World Council of Churches is sponsoring an International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Kingston, Jamaica in May of 2011. The International Ecumenical Peace Convocation will be a "harvest festival" celebrating the achievements of...
January 29, 2010
Cries of Anguish, Stories of Hope
During Lent, a series of study resources will help congregations and individuals work to end violence against women. Featuring films and stories from places as diverse as Colombia, India, the Democratic Republic of Congo and New Zealand, the WCC Decade...
December 6, 2009
Advent devotion - December 6, 2009
Scripture: Luke 1:68–79 When I was young, I saw only a few Christian churches. Today, the number has increased dramatically. When I consider the aim of Christ’s coming and the purpose of the church, I imagine a world where people...
October 10, 2009
Christians rebuild in Orissa
Christian villagers are rebuilding their lives and relationships more than a year after attacks by Hindu extremists in the eastern Indian state of Orissa. A World Council of Churches Living Letters team travelled recently to Kandhamal, Orissa in solidarity with...
September 6, 2009
Work for a world without nuclear weapons: Pray
A recent statement by the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches notes that we have entered a season of hope in the effort to abolish nuclear weapons. The statement closes with a prayer:God of all times and seasons,...
September 5, 2008
Pray with Christians in India
The National United Christian Forum in India has called churches to observe September 7 as a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace and Goodwill in response to the violence against Christians in the state of Orissa. The Forum invites...
August 13, 2008
Faith Community Speaks on Georgia
The World Council of Churches and the Conference of European Churches have issued a statement on the situation in Georgia. The statement calls for prayers and assistance for those affected by the conflict.
May 29, 2008
Pray for Bethlehem
Bethlehem participants in a global week of church advocacy invite individuals and groups around the world to send them wishes and prayers for peace. Incoming emails will be shared with parishes, schools and organizations in Bethlehem and Jerusalem as part...
February 20, 2008
We Can't Be Silent
Dr Ezra Chitando knows the reality of HIV/AIDS. He has lost many friends and relatives to the disease. Now he works to change the future by training clergy throughout Africa about the role of the church with HIV and AIDS,...