Swords into Plowshares

Statement by church leaders in Jerusalem

On December 30, 2008, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem issued a statement “on the current devastating situation in Gaza.” The statement “calls upon all
officials of both parties to the conflict to return to their senses and refrain from all violent acts, which only bring destruction and tragedy, and urge them instead to work to
resolve their differences through peaceful and non-violent means.” The leaders also call on all to observe Sunday, January 4 as “a day for justice and peace in the land of peace.”

 

Presbyterian leaders speak to the situation in Gaza and Israel

The leaders of the Presbyterian Church have issued a brief statement on the violence in Gaza and Israel.

December 30, 2008
Even as we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, we are anguished by stories of violence and conflict once again in Gaza. Citizens and soldiers, young people and old are wounded and killed. We see how violence begets violence, as an eye for an eye leads not to peace, but to deeper blindness. We pray fervently for peace, for a New Year marked by a willingness and commitment to put violence aside and a desire and dedication to seek new relationships of peace. We pray that governments and leaders here and there and around the world will use whatever influence they may have as peacemakers, and that
we, too will have courage and faith to pray without ceasing and to be agents of justice and peace for all.

• Bruce Reyes-Chow, Moderator
• Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk
• Linda Valentine, Executive Director, General Assembly Council

For the People of Gaza

The United Nations reports that 320 people have died in Gaza since Saturday, December 27. In that same time period, the BBC cites Israeli sources indicating that 110 rockets have been fired into Israel resulting in the deaths of 2 civilians.

Gaza was already in a desperate situation before this increased conflict, with a significant lack of food, medicine, fuel and electricity due to the Israeli blockade.

Action by Churches Together (ACT) has warned of a dramatic escalation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza if Israel, Hamas and other militant groups do not cease the current hostilities and avert a new military conflict.

ACT and their ecumenical partners working in Gaza report that they are responding to emergency needs as the situation develops. 

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is in communication with ACT and other partners and will assist in responding to humanitarian needs as possible. Contributions to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance's Middle East account will be used to help respond to the crisis in Gaza.

Act for Peace in Gaza

Violence continues in Gaza - the violence of Hamas rockets and the violence of the Israel Defense Forces and the violence of the blockade of Gaza.

Inspired by the nonviolent Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace, Christians trust that violence will not be the definitive or the final word in this situation. So we pray and act for peace.

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) suggests several actions to take for peace between Israel and Hamas in Gaza:

• Call the White House comments line (202-456-1111).

• Send an email to the President and your Senators and Representative through CMEP.

• Sign the ecumenical Christian letter to President-elect Obama urging him to make Israeli-Palestinian peace an immediate priority.

• Download the Christian Call for Holy Land Peace Campaign Organizing Packet (PDF) from CMEP.This packet is intended to help congregations or other groups organize to send a strong message to President-elect Obama that Israeli-Palestinian peace must be an immediate priority during his first year in office.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) takes part in the Churches for Middle East Peace coalition through our Washington Office.

 

Pray for Gaza

As rockets fly from Gaza

As airplanes pound Gaza

As the blockade tightens its noose on Gaza

It is a time to pray for Palestinians

to pray for Israelis

to pray for victims of violence

to pray for those who resort to violence

to pray for those who seek nonviolent solutions

to pray that all God's children who are involved might have the courage and faith and hope to pursue peace justly and to do justice peacefully

to pray that governments and leaders around the world might use whatever influence they have to be peacemakers

May it be so.

The BBC has an extensive section on events in Gaza. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has issued a statement calling for an immediate halt to the violence. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has issued a report on the impact of the blockade of Gaza.

The 218th General Assembly (2008) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted to "be a voice for the victims of violence in both Israel and Palestine," to "identify with the need for peacemaking voices in the midst of horrific acts of violence and terror," and to "condemn all acts of violence against innocent civilians."

Christmas Greetings

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the staff of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program holds you in our prayers. We give thanks for you and for your ministries of peace and justice. We are grateful that in troubling times in a troubled world you seek to follow Jesus and to live tomorrow's life today. May God who came to us in the child of Bethlehem come to you anew to provide grace and love and all you need for the living of these days. May God guide us all in the paths of peace.

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 will come
relationships fray and come apart
children and women and men endure abuse
economic uncertainty undoes nations and households
walls divide people from their homes
nuclear sabers rattle and handguns bark
drugs surge through veins to allow escape from reality's pain
death comes calling — sometimes welcome, sometimes not
sorrow and suffering spread around the world
trouble and turmoil touch us all
evil stalks the earth

Yet
in the midst of all that
in the face of all that
in spire of all that
because of all that
on this night,

we gather

to sing
and pray
and read ancient words
and light candles
and celebrate again
the birth of a child —
— nothing more and nothing less
than the every day miracle —
except that this child — this Jesus —
tells us
teaches us
shows us
life does not have to be the way it is
but that it can be filled
with
hope and
faith and
grace and
sharing and
commitment and
community and
justice and
righteousness and
well-being and
wholeness and
peace . . .
. . . on earth . . .
. . . for all!

Glory to God, may it be so.

(originally written for Christmas Eve 2003)

A Child Is Coming - A Christmas Prayer

Here is another prayer for Advent and Christmas. This one is by Tedd Roos of Lakewood, Ohio.

Heavenly Father, in the midst of the bustle and noise of the season, help us pause. Help us take a breath and rest for a moment. Help us hear your promise.
A child is coming. Can we hear it?
A child is coming.
Do we know the wonder in those words?
In the midst of our wilderness a child is coming,
and in his hands he can hold our hearts, if we allow it.
In his eyes we can see the wonder of your love.
For almost two thousand years we have returned to this promise, Lord,
and to the message that John the Baptist proclaimed.
Prepare the way.
Prepare to hear the angels sing.
Be not afraid.
In our world of conflict and war,
    be not afraid. A child is coming.
In our world of financial turmoil,
    be not afraid. A child is coming.
In our world where some live in plenty, and others don’t have enough,
    be not afraid. A child is coming.
In our world where some face the uncertainty of illness,
and others face the certainty of death,
    be not afraid. A child is coming.
In our world haunted by the specter of addiction and the pain of grief, where this candlelit season contains shadows as well as light,
    be not afraid. A child is coming.
Heavenly Father, in this quiet moment prepare our hearts for your promise. Prepare our hearts for hope. Prepare our hearts to know your peace and joy in the presence of your son.
Be not afraid.
A child is coming.

Tedd Roos, elder, Lakewood Presbyterian Church, Lakewood, Ohio

Raise a Red Hand; Stop the Use of Child Soldiers

February 12, 2009 is Red Hand Day - the international child soldier’s commemoration day, a day to work to end the use of child soldiers.

According to an optional protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, it has been forbidden to to use children as soldiers since February 12, 2002.

Unfortunately, human rights groups estimate that as many as 250,000 children are currently involved in wars around the world.

In response, children and teenagers have initiated the Red Hand Campaign and invite all to participate in this global effort to encourage world leaders to act. Key to the effort is the red hand that is the symbol of international efforts to end the use of children as soldiers. Participants in this initiative are asked to create red handprints on paper (using finger paint, drawing an outline, using red paper, or in some other way) and then add their names, hometowns, and a message.

Organizations, congregations, schools, and individuals may collect red hands and send them to: Red Hand Campaign, c/o Human Rights Watch, 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor, New York, NY 10118. On Red Hand Day, February 12, the red hands will be presented to leaders at the United Nations with the message that the ban on child soldiers should be enforced.

Spread the word and raise a hand!

A Prayer for Peace on Christmas Eve

Here's a prayer you are welcome to use or adapt in personal devotions or corporate worship:

God of life and God of hope,
we give you thanks and praise this night
as we gather to remember the birth of Jesus
who came as a witness to grace,
who proclaimed peace
did justice
lived love
and walked humbly with you.

In his name, we pray for peace and healing
wherever your world is broken,
wherever violence and injustice reign
wherever your children are in pain.
We ask that we might follow Jesus faithfully
and so become answers to our prayers
for peace on earth,
goodwill for all people,
and wholeness and wellbeing for all creation.
Amen.

Mark Koenig
Coordinator
Presbyterian Peacemaking Program