Give to the Peacemaking Offering
Sunday, October 5, is World Communion Sunday, the day most congregations receive the Peacemaking Offering. Congregations may use whatever Sunday works best for them.
The Peacemaking Offering supports ministries seeking peace and doing justice on all levels of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Each congregation is encouraged to retain 25 percent of the offering it receives for us in its own peacemaking ministries. Presbyteries and synods share 25 percent of the offering; fifty percent is used by ministries of the General Assembly Council.
We encourage you to give generously to the Peacemaking Offering. Gifts may also be made online.
Global food crisis: a monthly, church-wide fast
Join with Presbyterians around the country in monthly 40-hour fasts to help discern ways to respond to the Global Food Crisis. The fasts typically take place on the first weekend of every month, beginning on Friday evening and ending with Communion or a communal meal on Sunday.
Addressing gun violence
The 218th General Assembly (2008) called the church to renew its attention to the issue of gun violence.
Clare Mackie describes the Stop Gun Violence project. Photo by Mark Koenig The Peacemaking Program, Presbyterian United Nations Office, Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy, Stony Point Center and the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship sponsored a colloquium on Gun Violence and Gospel Values on September 15-17. Participants proclaimed the call of Jesus to live in peace and be peacemakers, learned about the realities of gun violence, organized to respond to gun violence and began to build a network of concerned Presbyterians. Action plans are currently being developed. Watch for opportunities to become involved.
The Presbyterian Washington Office signed on to a letter  with a broad coalition opposing the Senate’s consideration of H.R. 6842 (a bill from the House) that would remove D.C.’s bans on semiautomatic weapons and handgun ammunition, repeal registration requirements and remove criminal penalties for possession of unregistered firearms. The letter went to Representatives and Senators.
International Day of Peace
A peace crane mobile graced the sanctuary of Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta on the International Day of Peace. Photo by Mark Koenig Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Ga., celebrated the International Day of Peace on September 21 by unveiling a mobile that included over 2,000 peace cranes. Congregational members had been making cranes for the better part of two years. Each crane bears prayers for peace. The prayers include each member of the congregation and concerns around the world. The service included singing and a bell choir, liturgical dance and a sermon by the Rev. Caroline Kelly.
Travel study opportunities
Equal Exchange
Interfaith Program and Witness for Peace
October 18-28, 2008
Presbyterian Peace Fellowship
January 2-17, 2009 |
