Swords into Plowshares

Big Tent Registration Extended

The registration deadline for the Peacemaking Pre-conference Gun Violence, Gospel Values:   Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call and Conference Growing Christ’s Peace at the Big Tent is extended to JUNE 15.  Peacemaking registration scholarships funds are still available on a first come, first serve basis through June 15.  Scholarship applicants need to register for the Big Tent while awaiting scholarship approval.  No registration funds will be required, simply select the scholarship option.   Although registration for the children and youth programs is closed, a few spaces are available; parents/guardians can contact the G. A. Meeting Service.   Please register online, or download a registration form to complete and return. Contact the G.A. Meeting Service by email or at (800) 728-7228, 2417 if you have difficulties registering.

The cut–off date for reservations in the Big Tent hotels is JUNE 3.  Rooms may continue to be available after this date, but to ensure access to the conference rates ($99/night at the JW Marriott, $97/night at the Marriott Downtown), reserve lodgings as soon as possible online or by calling (800) 266-9432 and specifying “Presbyterian Church Big Tent” as you speak with a reservations agent.

Prayers for a Saturday morning . . .

and other times . . .

Pray for the people of . . .

Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan, Libya and other countries who call for change . . .

Uganda who are vote . . .

Palestine and Israel who stand in need of a just peace . . .

Madagascar who still face fall-out from the March 2009 change of governments . . .

India who are imprisoned for standing for human rights . . .

Egypt, Tunisia, the Philippines, and theSudan and Southern Sudan who are living into new realities . . .

Pakistan, Colombia, Brazil, Australia and other countries who continue to cope the aftermath of natural disasters . . .

Wisconsin who challenge the governor's decision . . .

Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries who know violence and uncertainty . . .

The United States who have been touched by gun violence . . .

Africa's Great Lakes region who cope with the Lord's Resistance Army . . .

The world, women and men, who travel to New York for the Commission on the Status of Women meeting . . .

Places unknown and forgotten and unavoided.

Lord, have mercy.

Amen.

Who is on your heart this day?

 

Gun Violence, Gospel Values: Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call

This policy statement of the 219th General Assembly (2010) encourages "the church at every level—from individual member to congregation, presbytery, synod, and national church—to become informed and active in preventing gun violence, to provide pastoral care for victims of gun violence, and to seek a spiritual response of grief and repentance, grace and courage to resist that violence and celebrate the Lord and Giver of Life."

It includes ideas for action and study questions.

Find additional study and worship resources for responding to gun violence.

Presbyterian leaders respond to Arizona shootings

Encourage Presbyterians to join national moment of silence

LOUISVILLE—Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) leaders issued a statement today in the wake of the Tucson, Ariz., shootings that left six people dead and 14 injured.

Elder Cynthia Bolbach, Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Reverend Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, and Elder Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council, expressed anguish over the shootings and horror over “this kind of assault on public discourse.” They also encourage all Presbyterians to join President Obama’s call for a moment of silence today at 11:00 EST.

The full text of their statement: 

We join with millions of people in this nation and worldwide who are horrified and anguished by the shootings in Arizona two days ago that resulted in such critical injuries and loss of life.

We are also horrified by this kind of assault on public discourse. Freedom of speech and assembly are foundational to who we are as citizens of this nation. As people of faith, we condemn violence and hatred and are committed to respectful civic engagement.  

We encourage all Presbyterians to join in prayer with the President of the United States’ call for a moment of silence today at 11:00 a.m. EST, “to observe a moment of silence to honor the innocent victims of the senseless tragedy in Tucson, Arizona, including those still fighting for their lives. It will be a time for us to come together as a nation in prayer or reflection, keeping the victims and their families closely at heart.”

Presbyterians have already been reaching out in this incident through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and de Cristo Presbytery. A community worship service is planned for today in Tucson, and additional assessment and follow-up will be ongoing.

The Psalmist writes,

For you are the God in whom I take refuge ...

O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling …

Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. (from Ps. 43)

Mexico 'country of contrast,' says peacemaker

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - News & Announcements - Mexico 'country of contrast,' says peacemaker.

International Peacemaker "Brenda Celia Trinidad Espitia is a graduate of the Presbyterian Pan American School in Kingsville, Texas, and is an active member of Emanuel Presbyterian Church in Toluca, Mexico. She will speak about the Presbyterian Church of Mexico proclaiming Christ in the midst of poverty, injustice and violence."

Read an interview with Brenda by the Presbyterian News Service.

Photo courtesy of Brenda Espitia.

Observe International Day of Peace

There are a number of ways to observe the International Day of Peace on September 21. One of them is the initiative A Million Minutes for Peace that invites us to pray for one minute at noon. Other ideas include working to address gun violence in the United States.

Celebrate the International Day of Peace

How will you celebrate the International Day of Peace?

September 21 is set by the United Nations General assembly as the International Day of Peace - a day when the world is called to observe a ceasefire, practice nonviolence, and reflect on the benefits of peacefully resolving disputes. Here are some ideas for ways to celebrate this day:

Ring your church bells

Pray

Create a peace prayer wall

Organize a vigil

Study nonviolence

Be one of A Million Minutes for Peace on September 21

Invite children, youth and young adults (and older adults!) to share their ideas for how peace can be pursued in writing, drawing, speaking, film or whatever media is appropriate

Invite peacemakers to reflect on their experiences and share their stories

Make origami cranes and display them 

Dedicate (or rededicate) a peace pole

Clean up a portion of God's creation

Offer seminars and lectures about peace 

Advocate on behalf of the START treaty (if it has not been ratified yet)

Tell the world that children are children, not soldiers

Address gun violence in your community

Use your imagination!

Share your ideas and information about your celebration with the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program or on this blog.

Living the Believers’ Calling – work to end gun violence

Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking:

Work to end gun violence. Bring speakers on ending gun violence to the congregation and community. Sponsor an art exhibit with sculpture, paintings, poetry, and music that respond to gun violence and express hope for peace. Invite refugees who have known gun violence to speak about their experiences. Organize annual community vigils that honor all who have experienced gun violence. Here is a litany and a hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette for use in vigils.

Thirty years ago the 192nd General Assembly (1980) of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. adopted Peacemaking: The Believers' Calling. This statement affirmed that peacemaking is central to the gospel message and to living as disciples of Jesus. It affirmed past and ongoing Presbyterian peacemaking efforts and called for a renewed emphasis on peacemaking. Since 1980, individual Presbyterians, congregations, middle governing bodies, and General Assembly programs have engaged in amazing peacemaking ministries in the name of Jesus Christ. In this 30th anniversary year the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program suggests 30 ways congregations can celebrate ministries past and present and look forward to new adventures following Christ, who is our peace.

Tell the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program how you are celebrating the anniversary.

Your gifts to the Peacemaking Offering help the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program support Presbyterians in ministries seeking peace and pursuing justice.

The picture is from an interfaith vigil against gun violence held in Richmond, VA on the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Kay Tice provided the picture.

Living the Believers’ Calling – observe the International Day of Peace

Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking:

Observe the International Day of Peace, a day set by the United Nation General Assembly, on September 21. This day brings a global call for a day of ceasefire and nonviolence. It is a time to reflect on the benefits of peacefully resolving disputes. The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian United Nations Office provide resource for worship and actions for the International Day of Peace.

Thirty years ago the 192nd General Assembly (1980) of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. adopted Peacemaking: The Believers' Calling. This statement affirmed that peacemaking is central to the gospel message and to living as disciples of Jesus. It affirmed past and ongoing Presbyterian peacemaking efforts and called for a renewed emphasis on peacemaking. Since 1980, individual Presbyterians, congregations, middle governing bodies, and General Assembly programs have engaged in amazing peacemaking ministries in the name of Jesus Christ. In this 30th anniversary year the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program suggests 30 ways congregations can celebrate ministries past and present and look forward to new adventures following Christ, who is our peace.
Tell the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program how you are celebrating the anniversary.
Your gifts to the Peacemaking Offering help the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program support Presbyterians in ministries seeking peace and pursuing justice.