Swords into Plowshares

An Invitation to Conversations

Sunday, May 18, 2008 - a day to talk about race and racism.

The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. has invited all of its member churches to make May 18, 2008 (Trinity Sunday), a day for “sacred conversations” on race.  The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has joined this effort. Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the General Assembly Council and the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk, invite Presbyterian congregations to participate.

Worship resources have been created for this day. Worship resources related to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day may also be useful. Study resources are also available.

Of course many Presbyterians and others are already engaged in conversations and shared ministry. And such efforts need to continue well after May 18. This day is a step -- an important step because it is a step we take together with our sisters and brothers -- on an ongoing journey. May the Holy Spirit use this occasion to unite and renew us as the body of Christ where all are one.

“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people."
— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Promoting the Great and General Interests of Peace

On the National Network of Presbyterian Women's blog, Noelle Gulden has posted Julia Ward Howe's 1870 call to celebrate Mother's Day. Howe envisioned a day when women would remember the lives lost in war and hold a gathering dedicated to promoting "the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace."

Happy Mother's Day!

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 building. Workshops. Conversations. Sun. And more.

Folks taking their first peacemaking steps, long-time peacemakers of all ages and those in between will find inspiration, education, and challenge.

Together we will learn ways to be mustard seeds and make a difference in the world.

Register now! See you in California.

More on Myanmar

The few images from Myanmar are heartbreaking. The magnitude of the suffering is staggering. The actions of the military junta are mindboggling.

The world seeks to respond but many rightly wonder if aid will make it to the people most in need.

The Presbyterian Church has put out an appeal for aid for Myanmar. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance will work with their long-time partners Action by Churches Together and Church World Service to move relief aid into Myanmar only when they are confident the situation is secure. In addition, over one million refugees from Myanmar are expected to arrive in bordering countries. Relief aid may be needed to feed and clothe these individuals.

Responding to Myanmar

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is making ready to respond to the tragedy in Myanmar.

Appeal cards and bulletin inserts are available with information about how to give to this need. PDA has committed $100,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing and designated funds to provide emergency assistance to survivors of cyclone Nargis.

The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program offers links to more information about Myanmar.

Siyaya Tour

Siyaya is coming to the U.S. this summer. And we will share the details as we have them.

We don't have a full schedule yet -- although we are looking for that and hope to have it soon. We have learned Siyaya will be at First Presbyterian Church (124 Henry Street) in Brooklyn on June 22. The performance begins at 1:00 PM.

We invite others who are hosting Siyaya to let us know and we will share your informationa.

Siyaya ("We Are Moving") is an HIV/AIDS educational ministry that proclaims a message intended to "capture hearts, broaden minds, build bridges, and inspire hope and vision." Siyaya is a ministry of JL Zwane Presbyterian Church and Centre in South Africa.

Through song, dance, and skits, Siyaya provides information about HIV/AIDS and its transmission, challenge stigma, and address behavior. The group performs at schools and community functions. The songs they use are composed or rearranged by Bongani Magatyana.

Photo by Kyle Kittrell.

Travel with us to Ethiopia . . .

Ethiopia, Africa's oldest independent country, has a long-standing tradition of living peacefully as a diverse people.  One such example is that Christians and Muslims live in the same neighborhoods and celebrate each other's holidays.

Travel November 5-15, 2008 with other Presbyterians interested in peacemaking efforts and projects by visiting Addis Ababa and Jimma to learn more about what Ethiopian communities of faith are doing to bring peace among their neighbors.  To learn more about this travel study seminar visit the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.

Conference Speaker Quoted on Food Crisis

"Every country and every people have a right to food that is affordable." Anuradha Mittal, keynote speaker at 2008 Peacemaking Conference.

John Nichols addresses the world food crisis in an article appearing in the May 12, 2008 edition of The Nation. The article considers causes and proposes responses to the crisis. The final paragraph features observations from Anuradha Mittal of the Oakland Institute.

Hear more from Mittal at the 2008 Peacemaking Conference -- Sowing Mustard Seeds: Working for God's Justice, Confronting Poverty. Register now.

Save $100 - Offer Extended

Now you have until May 20 to save $100 when you register for this year's seminars at Ghost Ranch!

In my opinion, any week at Ghost Ranch is a good week, but there are a couple of weeks that might be of particular interest to peacemakers.

The Peace and Justice Week takes place July 28 through August 3. I will be there, leading intergenerational activities and a special presentation on the work of Eric Law's Kaleidoscope Institute. There are a number of great seminars offered. Participants will have the opportunity to attend a Witness for Peace in commemoration of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings at Los Alamos on Saturday afternoon, August 2. 

The Multicultural Institute follows from August 4 through 10. Again there are a number of great seminars. Teresa Chavez Sauceda (Office of Racial Justice) and David Bowie (pastor of Rice Memorial Church in Atlanta) will lead a seminar on Dismantling Racism and Building Community. Bridgett Green (Racial Ethnic Young Women Together) and I will lead a seminar Lambs and Wolves Talking Together that teaches tools from the Kaleidoscope Institute for leadership in a diverse church and culture.

Come for one week. Come for two. Both weeks will be times of growth in faith and discipleship following Jesus.

As an added bonus, at least for me, my son is serving on the college staff at the ranch this year.

See you back at the ranch!

Rebate for Peace?

What will Tricia and I do with the rebate we receive from the Internal Revenue Service?

We had not started to think about that until the opening session of this week's meeting of the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

As the council discussed the budget, one member made the observation that those who receive rebates, and are in a position to do so, might consider giving away a portion or all of the rebate.

Of course not everyone is in such a position. But we are. And so for the past few days, we have been thinking about how we might put that rebate to work . . . and that is exciting.