Swords into Plowshares

Give Now to Help Presbyterian Students’ Peacemaking Efforts

A group of college students from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)-related College of Wooster need financial help to attend the national November Vigil to Close the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation in Georgia. 

The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship (PPF) has established a fund to assist these college students’ travel and lodging expenses to participate in this peacemaking action. Former General Assembly Moderator Rick Ufford-Chase, now serving as PPF Executive Director, will be speaking at a PPF Breakfast for those coming to the Vigil. Contributions given online at the PPF’s Network for Good account will help these college students’ peacemaking efforts. Please make your donation before November 20th. Thank you!

Recognizing that the nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean have experienced “sustained levels of violence, that military leaders of the countries have been responsible for many incidents of violence and have been implicated in human rights abuses, and that many of those leaders were trained at the School of the Americas," the 206th General Assembly (1994) of the Presbyterian Church called upon the United States government to eliminate any and all funding for the School of the Americas, and close the school. In 1995, the 207th General Assembly reaffirmed this call. This mission of the School of the Americas has passed to the Western Hemispheric Institute for Security Cooperation.

Urge Balance in U.S. Denunciation of Israeli and Palestinian Violence

From the Presbyterian Washington Office:

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a resolution that will block "any further consideration" of the Goldstone report. The detailed report found credible evidence of war crimes by Israeli forces and Hamas in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead, which left 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis dead.

House Majority Leader Hoyer justified his vote in favor of the resolution saying the report is "distorted." He also said the 1.5 million people living in Gaza are suffering "in major part from the determination of their imposed leaders to pursue indiscriminate terror." He failed to mention that their hardship results from severe restrictions on movement of people and goods imposed since 2007 by Israel and Egypt, a condition many have defined as collective punishment.
 
If your Representative voted for H. Res. 867, please tell them now that they are undermining U.S. credibility internationally.
 
Israel's security is on the line and the U.S. must remain balanced in order to guide both parties to peace and security.  Fear mongering does not help Israel, the U.S., or the Palestinians get any step closer to a better future for our children.

Only a balanced approach can lead us to a better future. There are 36 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives that opposed the resolution. These brave leaders need to hear from you too. Please thank your Representative if they opposed H. Res. 867. 

Fight impunity, uphold the rule of law, and contact your Member of Congress today.
 
Background Reading
Reflections from the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program
 
"Israel and Gaza Deserve Better than a Misguided Resolution," Congressman Brian Baird, November 4, 2009
 
Letter to the President on the Goldstone Report from Churches for Middle East Peace [pdf]  
 
 
General Assembly Guidance - Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
The 218th General Assembly (2008) voted to do the following:
 
Be a voice for the victims of violence in both Israel and Palestine. We ask PC(USA) members, congregations, committees, and other entities to become nonpartisan advocates for peace. As such, we will not over-identify with the realities of the Israelis or Palestinians. Instead we will identify with the need for peacemaking voices in the midst of horrific acts of violence and terror.
1.    Focus our energy on the United States government, demanding that it assume an intensive and unrelenting role as a peacemaker, bringing together the opposing parties in forums where reasonable people can reach reasonable compromises about highly complex issues.
2.    Condemn all acts of violence against innocent civilians. We will avoid taking broad stands that simplify a very complex situation into a caricature of reality where one side clearly is at fault and the other side is clearly the victim.

Study resource on Africa

Resolution on Africa: A Guide for Study and Reflection [PDF] is now available for download.

Based on "Resolution on Africa" approved by the 215th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the study is intended for youth of all ages. Former Stated Clerk, the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, notes that the study guide invites us to explore "our calling to be partners with Christians in Africa—and to do something about it!"

The study guide [PDF] has six sessions, but there probably is more material than can be covered in six one-hour sessions. Options are to expand the number of sessions or to be selective about the discussion questions to keep to a shorter time frame. The guide includes the resolution.

The sessions address a comprehensive range of topics and concerns:

• Introduction to Africa and the Church in Africa
• Singing a New Song:The African Church
• Diseases of Poverty (HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis) and Health Issues
• Human Rights
• Development
• The Role of the PC(USA) with the Churches in Africa

In the closing words of the resolution [PDF]:

"Christians in Africa sing and pray every day for the kingdom of God. We can do no less than join them—and in so doing fortify and renew our faith by sharing the pilgrimage of God’s people everywhere who seek justice, peace, and freedom. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) joins African church partners in working for the liberation of all people worldwide."

Witness and vigil at Fort Benning

Join the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship on November 20-22 at Fort Benning in Columbus, GA. They will be part of the annual event to close the Western Hemispheric Institute for Security Cooperation training facility. This year's event will also call for an end to military aid to Mexico and Colombia, and will support the return of the elected democratic government of Honduras.

The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship has reserved a block of rooms, and are arranging transportation from the Atlanta airport for those arriving Friday morning and leaving Monday afternoon. Workshops will be offered as well as a vigil on Sunday morning.

The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship will sponsor a breakfast on Saturday, November 21, from 7 - 9 a.m. at the Holiday Inn North, where we will celebrate PPF's 65th birthday; honor prisoners of conscience and Colombia accompaniment program volunteers; hear updates on PPF projects; and enjoy the fellowship of 60-80 Presbyterians! The cost is $10 for a full breakfast, and reservations are required.

After the Sunday morning vigil, meet at the PPF information table to walk together to the gate for a brief prayer and communion service.

For more information about housing or transportation, or for breakfast reservations, contact Marilyn White.

New study resource on Sudan for children

Order Piece Work/Peace Work: Working Together for Peace and Sudan at the Presbyterian Marketplace. Use item number 24-358-09-008. The cost is $8.00 plus shipping and handling.

Piece Work/Peace Work: Working Together for Peace and Sudan is a curriculum designed for elementary children from Grades 1-6.

The study is divided into four sessions, one intergenerational session, and a resource section which includes stories of Sudan and information on African quilt history and Sudanese religions and customs.

Using a quilt project, the study explores the relationship between the work of making a quilt from different pieces of fabric and the work of making peace. Activities include games, simulations, and art projects.

Through an exploration of situations faced by the children of Sudan, children are led into an understanding of the largest country in Africa and learn also of the many divisions within the country. Worship, songs, scripture, a book center, and a computer station all enhance the
learning process.

As the author, Martha Bettis Gee says, “It is vital to the future of Sudan that followers of Jesus take seriously what is happening there and respond with compassion and real help.”

Piece Work/Peace Work: Working Together for Peace and Sudan is produced in partnership between the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian Office on Child Advocacy. Representatives of the Sudan Advocacy Action Forum, the Sudan Mission Network, and the Presbyterian Africa Office provided assistance with the content of the resource. Presbyterians have been in ministry with the people of Sudan for over 100 years.

Order Piece Work/Peace Work: Working Together for Peace and Sudan at the Presbyterian Marketplace. Use item number 24-358-09-008. The cost is $8.00 plus shipping and handling.

UN General Assembly to consider UN probe into Gaza conflict

The United Nations General Assembly will meet on November 4 to consider the report [PDF] of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict. The Mission was appointed on April 3, 2009 “to investigate all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law that might have been committed at any time in the context of the military operations that were conducted in Gaza during the period from 27 December 2008 and 18 January 2009, whether before, during or after.”

The four-person Mission presented its report [PDF] to the United Nations Human Rights Council on September 29, 2009. The report [PDF] concluded that both parties to the conflict likely committed war crimes during the fighting. The report has generated a great deal of discussion, controversy, and criticism.

The October 23 edition of Bill Moyers Journal featured an interview with Justice Richard Goldstone who served as the head of the Mission. Justice Goldstone came to prominence investigating the behavior of security forces during the apartheid regime in his native South Africa. He served as chief prosecutor of International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavian and Rwanda and has been part of investigations into Nazi war criminals hiding in Argentina and war crimes in Kosovo.

Moyers interviewed Justice Goldstone about “the report, his critics and why he believes international humanitarian law is an important part of the peace process.” View video and read the transcript of the interview.

Here are some other perspectives on the report:

• Amnesty International
• Human Rights Watch
• B’Tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories 
• UN Goldstone Gaza Report sponsored by the Association for Human Rights in Israel™ 
• Breaking the Silence - testimonies of Israeli soldiers who participated in Operation Cast Lead in Gaza
• Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been involved in mission efforts in the Middle East for nearly two centuries. The denomination’s long-standing witness in Israel and Palestine involves working with partners in Israel and the Occupied Territories. Since 1948, General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its predecessors have made statements calling for a just peace for Israelis and Palestinians.

General Assemblies have supported the work of the United Nations since 1946. Assemblies have seen the United Nations as a peacemaker, and a peace-builder, a forum for U.S. foreign policy making, and a guarantor of law and human rights in a troubled world. In addition, assemblies have consistently endorsed international law and supported human rights as they have proclaimed the life-giving vision of Jesus.

Q&A - The CTBT

Ask your Senators to work to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) calling for a global ban on nuclear tests was rejected by the United States Senate ten years ago. Over 180 countries have signed the treaty. Nine countries, including the united States, still need to ratify the CTBT for it to enter into force. 

Since 1946, General Assemblies [PDF] of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its predecessors, acting out of faith in Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace, have understood that working for God’s intended order and life abundant involves seeking international disarmament and arms control measures. Assemblies have called for the creation of test ban treaty and have called the United States to ratify the treaty.

In a video presentation, Deepti Choubey addresses issues around the CTBT in Q&A format, describes the CTBT’s importance and how it impacts U.S. security. Choubey is deputy director of the Nonproliferation Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Those questions and answers in the presentation are:

•    What is the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty?

•    How will the CTBT impact the United States?

•    Will the United States ratify the treaty?

•    What are the prospects for the treaty entering into force?

•    How does the treaty relate to President Obama’s goal of a world free of nuclear weapons?

•    Does the CTBT influence U.S. national security?

A prayer for United Nations Day

Here is a prayer for the United Nations for use in relation to United Nations Day (October 24) or any appropriate time:

God of compassion, walk alongside all of your global stewards who work to create a more just and peaceful world. Equip the United Nations community with a sense of urgency and humility that lets your will be done. Each day you give bread enough for all, grant us also the wisdom to ensure that everyone has enough.Teach the world’s leaders to forgive, to extend welcome across borders. Show the world a new path beyond greed, oppression, and division. We pray for a world united. We pray for the power to save succeeding generations from war. We pray for a glory that reaffirms the dignity and worth of every person. We pray that your grace might ensure life in larger freedom forever, for all of your children. Amen.

Jessica Hawkinson
Associate for International Relations and Education
Presbyterian United Nations Office

Photo of the United Nations General Assembly by UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras.

Worship resources for United Nations Day

October 24 is United Nations Day. The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian United Nations Office offer worship materials for use on Sunday, October 25 or another time.

Download O God Who Formed Creation [PDF], a hymn by the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, co-pastor of Limestone Presbyterian Church.

Find prayers, bulletin inserts, and more.

Here is one prayer:

Great God,
supreme ruler of all the earth,
give vision to those who serve the United Nations.
With justice and goodwill, may they take down barriers
and draw the world together in peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

— from Peacemaking through Worship: Volume I by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program

Happy Birthday, United Nations!

October 24 marks the birthday of the United Nations. On 24 October 1945, the United Nations was formally established after a majority of its founding members ratified a treaty setting up the world body. In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution recommending that the day be observed by Member States. Traditionally, it has been marked throughout the world by meetings, discussions and exhibits on the goals and achievements of the organization.