Break the bread of new creation where the world is still in pain.

The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and its extended network of presbyteries and congregations are reshaping communities and the world through the reconciling peace of Christ. This year’s Peacemaking Offering gets its theme, “Break the Bread of New Creation,” from the words of an Easter hymn by Brian Wren. Over and over again committed believers join with others in bringing about a new reality through Christ’s peace.

The members of Amherst Presbyterian Church are joining with others in their community to cultivate peace as they “change lives one garden at a time.” That’s the motto of Lynchburg Grows, a not-for-profit community organization whose mission is to help disadvantaged persons in the Lynchburg, Virginia, area enjoy the benefits of gardening and have access to such spaces.

The project began when a young man with mental retardation living in a group home witnessed the destruction of a community garden that he had helped care for. The garden was destroyed due to a communication error. The error could have resulted in a community battle. The situation, in fact, led to an expanded community outreach program that now includes nutritional workshops for elementary school children, vocational training for disabled and low-income individuals, and organizational workshops for anyone interested in improving their gardening efforts.

Amherst Presbyterian Church uses 25 percent of its Peacemaking Offering to support the ongoing ministries of Lynchburg Grows. Another 25 percent is used for peacemaking work by the presbytery. Fifty percent of the Offering is directed to national and international peacemaking ministries coordinated through the PC(USA)’s Peacemaking Program. Won’t you join in breaking the bread of new creation? Change the world through your gifts to the Peacemaking Offering.

It started with a visit from an International Peacemaker. In October 2004 the Rev. Olivier Munyansanga from Rwanda visited the members of the Presbytery of Kiskiminetas in Pennsylvania. He shared the stories of struggle and faithfulness amid violence in his homeland. He talked of our common bonds as Christians in the global community. He talked of our partnership in Christ, and the people of the Presbytery of Kiskiminetas believed him.

More important, they took action and continued to live out this concept of Christian partnership. Today, eighteen congregations in Kiskiminetas have partnership relationships with eighteen congregations in Rwanda. The presbytery has sponsored two trips to Rwanda and two trips to the United States. In addition, Kiskiminetas Presbyterians have raised more than $55,000 for schools and dormitories for street children in Rwanda.

The purposes of the partnership are:

• To listen and learn from our sisters and brothers in Christ in Rwanda about how to worship, how to cope with oppression, and how to care for one another more effectively
• To have an exchange of representatives so as to establish a personal connection and sense of mutual support
• To provide support and assistance to one another’s needs as quickly as possible
• To be the body of Christ together, to demonstrate our unity, our inclusivity, and our fulfillment of Christ’s Great Commission

The partnership continues to enrich the lives of members in both countries. The concept of mutual bonds of peace in Jesus Christ has become a living reality with names, faces, and shared experiences.

Each year the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program coordinates the itineration of International Peacemakers. The story of new relationships and deeper Christian understanding in the Presbytery of Kiskiminetas is repeated. This ministry is made possible through your gifts to the Peacemaking Offering.

When you give to the Peacemaking Offering, your gifts literally make a difference around the world. Consider prayerfully how you will support this year’s Offering.

In Malawi and South Africa, as across Africa, people feel the impact of HIV and AIDS. The challenges of dealing with the pandemic are enormous. As African Christians respond, they know that they are not alone. In the words of the Rev. Lecton Kaluah of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, “God is at work among the people of God.”

In February and March 2008, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, in cooperation with the International AIDS Ministry and the Presbyterian AIDS Network, facilitated a travel/study seminar in South Africa and Malawi. Ranging from young adult to retiree, the ten participants from seven presbyteries wanted to learn firsthand about the effects of HIV/AIDS and how PC(USA) partner churches are responding to the pandemic. They also wanted to discern ways to become more involved personally and to inspire other U.S. Presbyterians to action.

The participants witnessed God’s people in Africa caring for those who are infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS, and encouraging practices and behaviors that lessen their spread.

They saw

• Partner denominations who establish HIV/AIDS policies
• PC(USA) mission personnel who provide assistance
• Congregations who break the silence and address fear and stigma by speaking about HIV/AIDS each Sunday during worship
• Drama troupes and musical groups organized to provide community education
• Counseling programs and HIV/AIDS support groups
• Community-based child care centers for vulnerable children
• Church members who plant gardens to grow nutritious food in their churchyards
• Income-generating projects, especially those creating a sustainable income for women
• Volunteers trained to provide home-based care to community members who are chronically ill and dying

At the Kapaza Presbyterian Church, the travel/study team accompanied home-based care volunteers on home visits. Their small groups carried simple crosses, made from ribbon and paper by work colleagues of one participant, to give to those they visited. These gifts were reminders of God’s grace in Christ who brings us hope and frees us to love one another.

Through your gifts to the Peacemaking Offering, you join the people of God at work in your own communities and around the world. Please give generously.

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