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
- Summer 2013 intern at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations – Onaje Crawford
- Remarks by Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations, at a Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict, June 17, 2013
- Together, We Have the Power to Protect the Ocean
- 1 is too many
- A prayer for World Refugee Day
Categories
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- United Nations (516)
- Prayer (471)
- Human Rights (424)
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Archives
Posts with tag: worship
March 3, 2013Making plans
Who is here?
What is our task?
What will we do to achieve that task?
What else will happen?
Around a Christ candle, in the Fellowship Hall of New York's Church of the Covenant, Presbyterian participants in the 57th Commission on the Status of Women gathered on Friday, March 1 to explore these and related questions.
Who is here?
A significant portion of the afternoon and evening was spent meeting one another and building the community. A generationally and ethnically diverse group, the Presbyterian participants come from across the country. Most are members and leaders of Presbyterian Women on ...
January 11, 2013
Human Trafficking Awareness Day
January 11, 2013 marks Human Trafficking Awareness Day. 2013 marks the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Because of the groundbreaking work of our ancestors, slavery was outlawed in the United States. However the legacies of chattle slavery continue to haunt our society even as we turn to face a new form of slavery: human trafficking.
You can learn what the United Nations is doing on human trafficking by going to UN GIFT (UN Global Initiative to Fight Trafficking). To find out more about a specific country, you can access the US State Department's Trafficking In Persons Report ...
November 26, 2012
Prime ministers
Rocky Walker serves as the liaison between New York Theological Seminary where he is a student and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. In this role, he helps promote events happening in the faith-based NGO community at the UN to the seminary community.
On November 15, 2012, Rocky led the morning prayers at the Church Center for the United Nations. In his sermon, he reminded the listeners that we are all "Prime Ministers." Of course, Rocky meant this a little differently than our common understanding:
Now this title has actually been around for almost 400 yrs. In today's ...
October 17, 2012
Globally conscious worship
How do we respectfully bring the peoples and the cares of the world into our worship experience?
Theresa Eungyong Cho and I led a workshop on 16 October at McCormick Theological Seminary's McCormick Days that explored that topic.
A wealth of liturgical resources exist that can be used in designing and leading such worship.
The Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s daily mission devotional, features stories from around the corner and around the globe. The Mission Yearbook helps connect us to sisters and brothers and includes a daily lectionary as well as ...
August 11, 2012
Celebrate the 2012 International Day of Peace
The United Nations has set September 21 as the International Day of Peace. This day provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The focus for 2012 is Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future.
Here are some ways to celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21 or Sunday, September 23 or at some other time:
Observe a Minute of Silence at Noon in your time zone
Ring your church ...
July 21, 2012
A Prayer Following the Massacre in Aurora, Colorado
Use this prayer as a personal or corporate prayer in the days to come:
O Lord, our God, victim of violence on a cross,
look with compassion upon all involved in the shooting this week in Colorado.
Comfort those terrorized by this horrendous event.
Wrap your Everlasting Arms around those who mourn.
Heal those whose wounds ooze in open fear.
Strengthen those administering your medicines of blessing—
medical personnel, law enforcement officials, and associated staff.
Calm all whose memories of violence are triggered by this shooting.
Clothe the gunman with your redemption,
and deal tenderly with his confused family and ...
April 23, 2012
World 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 14, 2012
Christ the Living Water
During the 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, participants made connections women from around the world. Participants also made connections with the Presbytery of New York City. On Sunday, several participants preached in congregations of the presbytery.
Emily Denon, student at Vanderbilt Divinity School, preached at Glen Morris Presbyterian Church. Her text was John 4:5-42. This passage contains the story of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at Jacob's Well.
The sermon begins with a consideration of water - water that plays a key role in literature and in the Bible - water that plays a ...
March 8, 2012
Voices, promises, covenant
During the Commission on the Status of Women, Presbyterian participants made connections with area Presbyterians in several ways. A number of the participants came from the New York City area. The parallel event partnered with the Poverty Initiative from Union Theological Seminary. Participants attended the World Day of Prayer service at Glen Morris Presbyerian Church. A luncheon was held.
And on Sunday, March 4, three participants preached in congregations in the Presbytery of New York City. Marsha Landrith preached at St. James Presbyterian Church. Emily Denton preached at Glen Morris Presbyterian Church. Leigh Bonner preached at the Church of the ...
February 27, 2012
Demands
Reconciliation demands justice.
Justice demands repentance.
Repentance demands restitution.
Restitution demands mercy.
From the reflection by Irma Rodriguez-Leon during the Ecumenical Women worship service led this morning by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran World Federation.
January 19, 2012
Those who cannot keep from singing
I give thanks today for those who cannot keep from singing.
Song sustains us, guides us.
Song expresses our deepest fears and our most profound hopes.
Song challenges the powers and proclaims an alternative vision.
Song leads us into living that alternative.
The January Term Doctor of Ministry class meeting at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations attended chapel at the Church Center for the United Nations today. Chaplain Kathleen Stone reminded us of the power and roles of song. And I thought of:
Victor Jara
Odetta
Pete Seeger
Paul Robeson
Sweet Honey in the Rock
Vedran Smailović
Tommy ...
December 29, 2011
Sharing hopes
Each Thursday, the community gathers for worship at the Church Center for the United Nations. Different groups take turns leading in proclamation and prayer.
On Thursday, December 14, the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations had the privilege to provide leadership. The service focused on inviting participants to share their hopes for the world during Advent.
Peng Leong (who took the accompanying picture), Ricky Velez-Negron, and Ryan Smith led the service.
The question posed that day remains, as a follower of Jesus Christ - what are your hopes for the world and its people?
December 12, 2011
Worship in Bethlehem - Saturday, December 17
From the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land:
This Saturday, December 17, 2011, you are invited to join with worshippers in Bethlehem, Washington, D.C., and around the world for the fifth annual joint simulcast Christmas service. Prayers, readings, and hymns alternate between Washington, D.C., and Palestine via the Internet, drawing together people of different lands, languages, and ethnic backgrounds in celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace.
To widen the congregation, the service is also webcast live from the home page of the National Cathedral starting at 10 AM EST on Saturday, 17 ...
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 25, 2011
25 September 2011 Worship
I had the privilege of preaching today at United Presbyterian Church of Ozone Park. A great morning! Since the International Day of Peace was last Wednesday, I used the Rev. Bridgett Green's prayer for that day.
August 25, 2011
Ribbons of Hope at worship this morning
Each Thursday morning we gather for worship at the Church Center for the United Nations. Different ministries take a turn leading the service. This morning brought the turn of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. We focused on the 10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001. We did so to allow participants to create prayer ribbons for the Ribbons of Hope Project and to model this project for use in other places and settings
For the service, we adapted a liturgy from the National Council of Churches created by written by the Rev. Dr. Eileen Lindner and the Rev. Jon ...
August 6, 2011
Celebrate the International Day of Peace
The United Nations has set September 21 as the International Day of Peace. This day provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. During the recent Youth Making a Difference seminar at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, young people identified a number of ways to celebrate the International Day of Peace. Here are some additional ideas:
Observe a Minute of Silence at Noon
Ring your church bells
Light candles ...
August 6, 2011
Prayers for the International Day of Peace
The United Nations has set September 21 as the International Day of Peace. This day provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. Here are two prayers for the International Day of Peace:
O God,
Guide the peoples and nations
to make today a day of peace,
a day when wars are suspended,
and weapons laid aside.
May the spirit of this day of peace
guide us to the time
when ...
August 6, 2011
A prayer for the International Day of Peace
The United Nations has set September 21 as the International Day of Peace. This day provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. Here is a prayer for the International Day of Peace:
Loving God, we, your children, long for the day when your shalom is the dominant culture. We long for the day
when we would turn swords into plowshares;
when our governments would grow more food than build weapons ...
August 2, 2011
Let the Bells of Peace Ring!
If you are in New York City on Friday, August 5, you are invited to participate in events remembering the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and working for a world free of nuclear weapons:
An interfaith service of remembrance at will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Church Center for the United Nations (44th and 1st) followed by a walk to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza to ring the Peace bell at 7:15 p.m. along side our Japanese brothers and sisters in Japan (8:15 a.m. Japanese time).
June 13, 2011
Eternal Circle
West-Park Presbyterian Church (86th and Amsterdam) celebrated its 100th birthday today - on Pentecost.
A group from Medina Presbyterian Church in Ohio is visiting New York this week. They have a number of activities scheduled, including a visit to the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, work at Jan Hus Presbyterian Church, Covenant House, and Old Bergen Church.
They requested suggestions for places to worship today - I provided several from the amazing diversity that is the Presbytery of New York City - among them West-Park.
I arrived at West-Park around 10:30. I was talking with Andre Solomon-Glover (he's doing a ...
June 3, 2011
Glory to you our God
Let our world be a place of celebration;
let our world be a meeting place.
Let justice spring from our earth,
and let the fruits of love flourish.
Let us make it possible
by respecting our diversity,
by sharing in solidarity,
by uniting hands and hearts,
by living together in harmony with creation.
And then peace will be reborn!
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.
With this benediction, participants in the June 2, 2011 worship service at the Church Center for the United Nations, went forth to ...
May 3, 2011
PC(USA) resources related to issues raised by the death of Osama bin Laden
The death of Osama bin Laden raises many issues for prayer, study, discussion, and reflection. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a number of resources available to use at this time. Among them are the Resolution on Violence, Religion and Terrorism...
February 9, 2011
Coming in February ... the Commission on the Status of Women
The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations is preparing to welcome Presbyterian participants for the Commission on the Status of Women from February 22 through March 4. Presbyterian Women is a key partner in this event. The Commission on the...
January 15, 2011
Gun Violence, Gospel Values: Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call
This policy statement of the 219th General Assembly (2010) encourages "the church at every level—from individual member to congregation, presbytery, synod, and national church—to become informed and active in preventing gun violence, to provide pastoral care for victims of gun...
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 10, 2010
Speak up Stop Discrimination - Human Rights Day 2010
December 10 is Human Rights Day. From the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study comes this prayer from Eleanor Roosevelt, chair of the committee that drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Our Father, who has set...
October 1, 2010
AYUDAS LITÚRGICAS 3 de octubre de 2010 Día de comunión mundial
Our colleague Marissa Galván-Valle has provided liturgical resources for World Communion Sunday in Spanish. Apologies for getting them posted so late in the week. Download Ayudas Lituricas Dia de comunion mundial
September 24, 2010
World Communion Day Collect
O great rejected stone, you who are the cornerstone of our hope, be not to us a stumbling block, but build us up into a household of justice and peace. Guide us by your law and fill us with your...
September 23, 2010
A prayer for World Communion Sunday
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...
September 22, 2010
A prayer for the day for World Communion Sunday
O Creator God, as we gather to worship you on this day, let your Holy Spirit fall upon this community of faith. As we celebrate and partake in Communion with other believers, we ask that you may fill us with...
September 21, 2010
A collect for World Communion Sunday
O God, author of life and source of hope: Hear our petitions, spoken and unspoken, and gather them together with those of your people around the world so that in our collective life and hope together, we would all be...
September 20, 2010
An opening prayer for World Communion Sunday
O Redeemer God, as we gather in worship on this World Communion Sunday, we ask that you send your Holy Spirit to fall afresh on us. We pray for your Spirit to awaken new hope in us. Grant us the...
September 10, 2010
Songs for Peace and Justice - Register now!
Register now - registration closes September 17. Songs for Peace and Justice Oct 10-14 - Stony Point Center "Find Your Voice: Music for a Just and Caring Church" Be part of a four-day multi-cultural creative gathering. Join pastors, church musicians,...
September 9, 2010
O for a thousand tongues to sing . . .
A choir highlighted the Saturday evening worship service at the 2010 Presbyterian Peacemaking Seminar. Thanks to director Corey Nelson and all who sang! Thanks to David Barnhart for taking the video.
August 30, 2010
Thanks
Thanks to all who helped make the 2010 Presbyterian Peacemaking Seminar a time of grace, blessing, and growth: the planning team, the leadership team, the participants, the Ghost Ranch staff, and the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program staff. Worship on the mesa,...
August 26, 2010
The God of peace is our refuge
The following litany will be used as the call to worship for morning prayers on August 26 at the 2010 Presbyterian Peacemaking Seminar. Consider using this litany in your daily devotions as a way of taking part in the seminar....
August 25, 2010
I was glad when they said to me
The following litany will be used as the call to worship for the 2010 Peacemaking Seminar. Consider using this litany in your daily devotions as a way of taking part in the seminar. Find the Seminar Worship Book. I was...
August 6, 2010
Spiritual Nurture for Peacemakers
Find a prayer for peace on Hiroshima Day (August 6) and a prayer for community on Spiritual Nurture for Peacemakers. Each week the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program provides prayers to be used or adapted in individual devotion or corporate worship.
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,...
June 4, 2010
The Wounds of War: The Church as a Healing Community
From Presbyterians for Disability Concerns Disability Access/Inclusion Sunday June 27, 2010 Find worship resources. Is the church ready? Are we prepared to be a community of healing for those who are living now, and will be living for many years,...
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...
March 30, 2010
Face the displaced: Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia
Barranquilla, Colombia Here's the ask: Participate in the Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia. This year's focus is on Colombians who are internally displaced. Here's the background: Those of us who have gathered to discuss the Colombia Accompaniment Program,...
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...
January 6, 2010
Resources for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
If you are planning a worship service for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, find some liturgical resources from the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. Please feel free to use them and please include our Web page if you do.
December 5, 2009
All I Want for Christmas
When it comes to Christmas music, I confess that I jump the season. At least in my personal life. Professionally, when I am designing worship, I can maintain tight seasonal boundaries. Stores may decorate. Cards may arrive. Specials may air....
November 19, 2009
Pray for peace - November 22
This week Spiritual Nurture for Peacemakers includes a prayer for Christ the King or the Reign of Christ Sunday and a prayer for Afghanistan. These prayers may be used in individual devotions or corporate worship.
November 13, 2009
Plan for World AIDS Day - December 1, 2009
World AIDS Day, December 1, is the one day of the year when individuals, churches and organizations from around the world come together to remember that all our lives are touched by AIDS, especially those living with HIV and AIDS....
October 28, 2009
Pray for peace
This week, Spiritual Nurture for Peacemakers features a prayer for peace based on Psalm 122, a prayer for farm workers, and a prayer for the time of an election. November 1 is Christian and Citizen Sunday in the Presbyterian Church...
October 23, 2009
Stopping torture - an Advent resource
The National Religious Coalition Against Torture announces a new resource [PDF] for Christian clergy to use during Advent 2009. With sections for all four Sundays in Advent, as well as Christmas Eve, the new resource [PDF] provides commentary on the...
October 9, 2009
Pray for peace October 11
This week, Spiritual Nurture for Peacemakers includes a prayer of confession for use on Presbyterian AIDS Awareness Sunday, a prayer for those affected by natural disaster, and a prayer for International Peacemakers and those who hear them. The prayers may...
October 2, 2009
Celebrating World Communion Sunday together
Many congregations hold joint worship services on World Communion Sunday to celebrate the unity that is ours in Christ. Here is one example from Carroll County in Indiana. Cutler Presbyterian Church, Deer Creek Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church of Delphi...
September 14, 2009
Observe the International Day of Peace
Here are some ways to observe the International Day of Peace: Pray Meditate Practice other spiritual disciplines Participate in the A Million Minutes for Peace campaign Participate in the WMD - We Must Disarm Initiative Light a candle Send the...
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 2, 2009
Pray for peace
This week on Spiritual Nurture for Peacemakers find a prayer for Labor Day and a prayer for God's transforming grace. Use these prayers in private devotions or corporate worship.
August 31, 2009
Respond to God's call to do justice
Celebrate Labor Day this year by examining the PC(USA)’s work with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers on the Campaign for Fair Food. Get resources for preaching and worship including lectionary commentary [PDF], a prayer of confession [PDF] and a prayer...
August 18, 2009
Pray for peace
Spiritual Nurture for Peacemakers this week includes prayers for health, wholeness, and health care and for Sudan. Use or adapt these prayers in private devotion or in corporate worship.
August 8, 2009
The International Day of Peace and gun violence
The International Day of Peace, observed each year on September 21, brings a global call for a day of ceasefire and nonviolence. It is a time to reflect on the benefits of peacefully resolving disputes. This year, consider that gun...
August 4, 2009
Pray for peace
Prayers this week on Spiritual Nurture for Peacemakers include a prayer for Affordable Housing and Homelessness Sunday, August 9 and a litany of thanksgiving. Use or adapt these prayers for use in corporate worship or individual devotions.
June 22, 2009
Pray for peace - June 22
This week, Spiritual Nurture for Peacemakers features prayers for Disability Access/Inclusion Sunday, Iran, and Peru. The prayers may be adapted or used in private prayer or corporate worship.
May 29, 2009
Care for God's Creation
Find resources to observe World Environment Day. This day, intended to raise understanding of environmental issues and to empower people to act on behalf of a sustainable future, is June 5. Congregations can celebrate World Environment Day on June 7...
April 2, 2009
Celebrate Earth Day Sunday
Earth Day Sunday, April 19 this year, provides an opportunity to consider how to become involved in keeping and healing God's creation. Get an Earth Day resource (PDF) that contains sermon starters, youth activities, a group study guide and a...
March 2, 2009
Worship resources to address torture during Lent
The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and No2Torture, a grass-roots Presbyterian group, offer a number of worship resources to help Presbyterians address issues around stopping torture during this Lenten season. Presbyterian General Assemblies have made a number of statements related to torture...
January 16, 2009
Walking for Justice
Staff members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) joined with Louisville community members, students from several Presbyterian seminaries, and staff from the Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky for a Justice Walk on what would have been the 80th birthday of the Rev. Dr....
December 24, 2008
On this night we gather
On this night bellies spasm with hunger winter seeps into the bones of people with no homes thoughts turn to Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and places between and beyond people plot violence children watch parents die of AIDS, wondering when their turn...
October 15, 2008
Resource for Praying with Iraqi Christians
A new bulletin insert offers an invitation to pray with the Christians of Iraq, Iraqi refugees, all Iraqis, those serving in our military and their families, and all impacted by the war. The insert provides an overview of the history...
October 15, 2008
Pray for Christians in Iraq
Religious leaders around the world, including those in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), are asking their members to pray for the Christian community in Iraq and particularly the northern city of Mosul, where more than two dozen Christians have been murdered...
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...
May 11, 2008
Mustard Seed People: 2008 Peacemaking Conference
Will there be something for everyone at the 2008 Peacemaking Conference? Probably not. That's a fairly impossible goal. But there will be something for lots and lots and lots of folk. Prayer. Worship. Music. Keynote addresses. Fellowship time. Energizers. Relationship...
March 13, 2008
Fifth Anniversary of War in Iraq
Five years. It has been five years. Whatever one thinks about the war and the ongoing aftermath in Iraq, the fifth anniversary on March 19, brings a moment for reflecting, remembering, and thinking for the future. We mark such an...