Swords into Plowshares

Poles of peace

We gathered on June 27 at the Afton Presbyterian Church. We gathered from different places and different traditions. Church leaders, singers, speakers, political leaders, friends, family, neighbors, a guitar player, and a bagpiper, we gathered.

We gathered:
to plant and dedicate a peace pole,
to honor a peacemaker, Marguerite "Maggie" Matthews, whose long life and faithful witness to peace included a stint in the Peace Corps -- during her retirement,
to remember and celebrate past ministries of peacemaking,
to lift up current ministries of peacemaking,
and to dedicate ourselves to live as peacemakers,
to commit to planting poles of peace in every aspect of our living.

We began with a meal, the quality and quantity of food surpassed only by the joy and blessing of the fellowship. Then we moved into the sanctuary for a time of worship.

The skirl of the pipes called us together.

The community choir that overflowed the choir loft sang a prelude.

After prayer, Afton Mayor Sally Muller and State Assemblyman Peter Lopez brought words of welcome and reflected on the occasion.

We joined in the hymn, "O God Who Formed Creation," written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.

Gerry Matthews thanked all for coming and reflected on his mother's life. Marjory Clark and Debbie Dickenson reminisced about their experiences of Marguerite's peacemaking.

The community choir sang "One Earth One Sky." We all sang "A Song of Peace."

Elizabeth Gordon led us in a brief period of worship in the Quaker fashion.

I closed my presentation by distributing crosses (a peace pole!) made in Liberia from leftover bullet casings.

Mark Shephard then led us in singing "Together We Can Change the World."

Again the pipes played and we left the sanctuary to gather in the front of the church by the pole. The act of dedication followed -- dedication of a pole to honor and remember peacemakers and peacemaking -- dedication of ourselves to plant poles of peace wherever God calls us.

Together We Can Change the World

Check out this video of "Together We Can Change the World."

During the dedication of the peace pole at the Afton Presbyterian Church, singer-songwriter Mark Shepard led the song.

The refrain says:

Can’t do it by myself
So I’m asking for your help
Together we can change the world
Sail past where it’s been charted
Roll your sleeves up, let’s get started
Together we can change the world
Together we can change the world

The video features Rilee O'Neill and a choir of African youth called SIFA.

2010 Irish Summer Institute

Plans are underway for the 2010 Irish Summer Institute, which again will be jointly sponsored by the Presbyterian Committee for Northern Ireland (PCNI) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. In response from many school teachers and others who cannot participate in this travel /study venture in the month of August, the Institute will be in June. This will also allow the group to meet more Irish speakers and leaders, who traditionally vacation during the month of August.

The dates of the 2010 Institute will be: June 14 - 26, 2010.   

Details of the itinerary for the Institute are being determined.

Please save the dates of the 2010 Institute, and share news of it with friends and colleagues. If you are interested in participating or placing your name on a list of possible participants, or would like more information and future details, please contact the PCNI Chair, the Rev. Dr. Jim Macdonell, or contact either of the 2010 Institute Co-Directors: Carl Koch or Father Bob Stoeckig.

Simple Dinner, Amazing Ministry

The Big Tent
Friday, June 12
Dinner

Friday evening, peacemakers gathered for a simple meal at Atlanta's North Avenue Presbyterian Church, sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and hosted by the Peacemaking Committee of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta. The church’s food service ministry provided the meal. Proceeds benefited peacemaking ministries of the church and the presbytery. As the peacemakers enjoyed the dinner, amazing stories of ministry in the name of Jesus Christ were shared.

Jeff Meyers told of North Avenue’s weekly Men’s Community Bible Study. Participants in the study include homeless men and college students. Grace abounds as the love of Christ is shared and new understandings and relationships are formed.

The Rev. Dr. Scott Weimer, senior pastor at North Avenue, spoke about Street GRACE (Galvanizing Resources Against Child Exploitation) is a non-denominational alliance of churches dedicated to ending the commercial sexual exploitation of children. North Avenue leaders played a key role in creating this ministry which could serve as a model for other communities.

The Rev. Dr. Betsy Lunz spoke about The Open Door Community’s ministry to build relationships with and support of some of the most neglected and outcast of God’s children: the homeless and our sisters and brothers who are in prison. The Open Door also seeks to dismantle racism, sexism and heterosexism, abolish the death penalty, and proclaim the Beloved Community. The Peacemaking Committee of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta is among the partners of The Open Door.

Refreshed and inspired, the peacemakers returned to the Hyatt where the Big Tent continued.

An evening of hospitality

The Big Tent
Thursday, June 11
8:30 pm to 9:30 pm (more or less)

Some eighty folks gathered in the suite of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons for a hospitality event as part of the Peacemaking Conference.

Gradye spoke of his role in the church's public witness: representing the church in ecumenical and interfaith settings and advocating policies of the General Assembly.

Those who gathered met long-time friends and made new ones. All enjoyed a wonderful feast of finger foods provided by Karen Turney of the Peacemaking Conference planning team.

Photo of Gradye Parsons by Nancy Eng MacNeill.

Addressing gun violence - PC(USA) efforts

As on many issues, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a mixed record when it comes to working on gun violence. Good statements have been made; we have not always lived up to those statements, but some good work has also been done. Recent developments and resources include:

The 218th General Assembly (2008) approved a statement "On Addressing America's Tragedy of Gun Violence" [PDF] This statement called Presbyterians to "Pray for God’s comfort, courage, and peace for the eighty families who lose loved ones every day to
guns in America and for the 1,000 families who daily experience death by guns in the developing world."

The statement outlined ways for Presbyterians to work to reduce gun violence. This includes working to close the gun show loophole It called for the creation of a study for the church that "should articulate a Reformed Theology of proactive, constructive nonviolence way of life and tactical method for bringing God's justice and peace to our communities and around the world; assess the social and economic costs of gun violence; explore how gun violence fits into a larger national culture of violence, and identify
ways that the church can effectively address gun violence issues domestically and internationally, and to report these findings along with proposed action items to the 219th General Assembly (2010). Work on this study has begun.

Working with the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, the Advisory Committee on Social Witness and the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, Stony Point Center hosted the 2008 Peacemaking Colloquium "Gun Violence and Gospel Values" in September. Video clips from two of the speakers are available online. Julio Medina, the Executive Director of Exodus Transitional Community spoke about his experience with gun violence and the work his organization does in providing a comfortable bridge to help participants ease into their journey from prison to mainstream society. The Rev. Jim Atwood provided a theological reflection on gun violence

The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship has assembled some information at a glance about gun violence. An article posted by the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, notes that efforts to reduce gun violence will involve both education and advocacy as we work "for the blessed community which Jesus would have us build wherein people do not hurt or destroy one another."

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 violence claims some 30,000 lives annually in the United States. What might it look like to observe a day of ceasefire in our country? How might we work to address the tragedy of gun violence? What will you do?

Observe the International Day of Peace

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 violence claims some 30,000 lives annually in the United States. [PDF] What might it look like to observe a day of ceasefire in our country? How might we work to address the tragedy of gun violence? Send information about ongoing efforts and ideas for new efforts to the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program to share with others.

Pray for peace - July 5

This week's Spiritual Nurture for Peacemakers includes prayers for July 4, Iran, Peru, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These prayers may be used or adapted in personal devotions or corporate worship.

Prayers for Iraq

This day when U.S. combat troops withdraw from Iraqi cities and towns is a day of remembrance and reflection - a day to look to what has been and to ponder what may be. For this day, find prayers from those serving in the U.S. military, from families of those serving in the U.S., from Iraqis, and more.

Urge Senators to Cosponsor the Congo Conflict Minerals Act

What is the problem?
Demand for minerals found in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and used in everyday electronics products help finance armed groups who engage in violent struggle. The minerals in question are cassiterite (tin ore), gold, coltan [tantalum] and wolframite (a source of tungsten).

What would the Congo Conflict Minerals Act of 2009 (S.891) do?
If passed, this bill would provide the authority and direction for the United States government to help ensure that the mineral trade stops contributing to human rights violations, including killings of unarmed civilians and sexual violence, while at the same time developing mechanisms to allow the Congolese people to benefit from these resources. The bill demands greater transparency and accountability from all companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges - including major electronics companies which are among the largest end-buyers of some of these minerals would have to disclose the origin of their supplies to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. For those minerals coming from Congo or neighboring countries, companies would need to disclose the precise mine of origin. Although the bill does not include a requirement that companies submit independent audits of their supply chains, it is a valuable first step toward greater transparency.

What can I do?
Call or write your Senators and urge them to cosponsor the Congo Conflict Minerals Act of 2009. Send an email to your Senator. Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and asking for your senators' offices.

Learn more about the bill.

How are Presbyterians engaged with our sisters and brothers in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Presbyterians have been involved in ministry with the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo for over a century. William Sheppard, an early Presbyterian mission co-worker, is remembered for his advocacy on behalf of the Congolese people as he publicly spoke out against the abuses against the people as the Belgian King Leopold I pursued the region's rubber.

The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program provides prayers for the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Presbyterian Women Palm Project is a new mission program in which groups or individuals can make donations for the establishment of palm plantations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Presbyterians support health and development ministries in the country. The Congo Mission Network is a grass-roots organization sponsored by the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A) that seeks to partner with the Presbyterian Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Presbyterian Church of Kinshasa to help the Congolese people improve their lives.

This posting draws heavily on the work of the Presbyterian Washington Office.