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.

It Costs Too Much! The Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Presbyterians Speak Up

Join us for a Webinar on May 27
Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar Seat Now

The Obama Administration is pushing to pass the three Free Trade Agreements – Korea, Colombia and Panama – by summer.  The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is organizing its voice now to speak on behalf of those who do not have a seat at the negotiating table – indigenous groups, small farmers, Colombia’s millions of displaced people and persecuted unionists. Our mission partners in Colombia are calling for the PC(USA) to raise its voice.
Join us to discuss:
                
• Ways for you to take action on behalf of our sisters and brothers in Colombia;
• How Colombia’s human rights record requires delaying this agreement;
• Why the Presbyterian Church of Colombia opposes the agreement in its present form;
• Why the cost of this agreement is too high for small farmers and others;
• How we as people of faith evaluate trade agreements.

Sign up now to hear from Lisa Haugaard, executive director of the Latin America Working Group; the Rev. Shannan Vance-Ocampo, director of Colombia Programs for the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, which coordinates the Presbyterian Accompaniment Program on behalf of PC(USA) World Mission; and the Rev. Dr. Alexa Smith, Presbyterian Hunger Program.

Title: It Costs Too Much! The Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Presbyterians Speak Up
Date: Friday, May 27, 2011
Time: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM EDT

System Requirements

PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

Victims of violence await justice in Colombia

Global Policy Forum has posted an article about justice for people impacted by violence in Colombia.

The Colombian armed conflict waged since the 1960s between the government, guerrillas and paramilitaries has claimed tens of thousands of civilian lives and displaced millions.  In almost 50 years of conflict, there has been little justice afforded to the victims.  The national congress will pass a “Victims law” to provide financial compensation to those affected by the violence.  Yet those responsible for the violence continue to enjoy impunity.  The ICC [International Criminal Court] is investigating potential war crimes committed in Colombia after 1 November 2009, however, the Court has to date only prosecuted African cases.

Read more.

Building Sustainable Communities of Peace in Colombia

For over fifty years, the people of Colombia have endured violence that has displaced more than five million Colombians and driven another 500,000 from their country. Thousands more have died.

Since 2000, the United States has provided Colombia over $7 billion dollars in assistance, three quarters of which is military assistance. Under a deal struck in 2009, the United States will make use of seven military bases in Colombia. In 2010, the Colombian Constitutional Court ruling declared the deal invalid.

The violence has particularly affected women, indigenous groups and Afro-Colombians. Those who work for peace risk their lives in the process.

Rooted in their faith in the nonviolent Christ, the members of the Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia have stood with their people. They have accompanied their displaced sisters and brothers and worked to build sustainable communities of peace. Theirs has been a faithful, creative witness to peace.

Presbyterians from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have chosen to stand with our Colombian partners in the Colombia Accompaniment Program.

On April 5, the Rev. Adelaida Jiménez Cortes, the Rev. Gloria Ulloa, and the Rev. Shannan Vance-Ocampo provided a briefing on Colombia at the Church Center for the United Nations. Adelaida and Gloria are leaders in the Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia and its ministry of accompaniment. Shannan serves as director of Colombia Programs for the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship.

Together they told of the militarization of Colombia, the bases used by the United States, and the violence that has killed and displaced so many. And they told of the remarkable grace, faith, courage, and hope of the people of Jesus who are the Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia.

Prior to the meeting, Gloria and Adelaida met with a representative of the UN's Department of Public Affairs with responsibility for relating to Colombia.
 
This presentation and brown bag lunch was arranged by the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, the Council on Witness to Society and the World of the Presbytery of New York City, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office on Latin America and the Caribbean.

Pray for the people of Colombia

We pray for the peacemakers in Colombia, the churches, and all people who in countless ways seek to right the wrongs, heal the wounded and sick, speak the truth, and protect the vulnerable. We give thanks for those who are empowered by their faith to be peacemakers. We ask that you would protect them from all harm and danger. God, give us strength as we seek to be voices for peace in Colombia, strengthen our efforts to bring forth the words of truth, compassion and peace that we receive from our Colombian brothers and sisters. Bring us all to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly in your ways, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lutheran World Relief

This prayer originally appeared in the Witness for Peace packet for the Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia for faith communities.  The packet includes:

• Background on Colombia;
• Letter from Colombian church leaders;
• Sample prayers, sermons, and scripture readings;
• Action resources: send advocacy postcards to Congress or create Hands for Peace artwork to send to Colombian communities under threat;
  
• Sources for more information 

The Days of Prayer and Action are scheduled for April 8 through 11, but prayers and actions for the people of Colombia are always in order.

Peacemaking in Colombia: Event at Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations

For those in New York City:

Building Sustainable Communities of Peace in Colombia
A Conversation and Brown Bag Lunch with
The Rev. Adelaida Jiménez Cortes and The Rev. Gloria Ulloa
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Noon – 1:00 PM
Church Center for the United Nations
777 UN Plaza (corner of 44th and 1st)
Hardin Room - 11th Floor

The Rev. Adelaida Jiménez Cortes and the Rev. Gloria Ulloa will speak about the Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia’s ministry accompanying their displaced sisters and brothers and building sustainable communities of peace in Colombia. More than fifty years of violence has led to the displacement of over five million Colombians. Inspired by the nonviolent Jesus, the Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia has chosen to stand with their sisters and brothers in faithful, creative, and sometimes risk-filled ways. Presbyterians from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have chosen to stand with our Colombian partners Adelaida and Gloria are leaders in the church and this ministry of accompaniment.
 
Gloria is the chaplain at the Colegio Americano in Barranquilla, Colombia, She has extensive experience in religious education, pastoral and public administration, women’s rights, conflict resolution, and community organizing. She has been honored in Colombia for her work in the church and by governmental officials for her ongoing dedication to women’s rights.
 
Adelaida works with the Reformed University (in Barranquilla) as Director of the Theology Program and coordinates the group of investigations (REMEFES—Recuperation of the Historical Memory with Faith and Hope).  This investigation is recovering the collective memories of displaced persons who are settled in the farm of “el More” in the town of Piojo, Colombia and learning how these communities have been able to build hope and faith in the midst of armed conflict. 
 
Come, meet and be inspired by these disciples of Jesus.
 
This presentation and brown bag lunch is arranged by the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, the Council on Witness to Society and the World of the Presbytery of New York City, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office on Latin America and the Caribbean.
 
Contact (212)-697-4568 for more information.
 
 

Colombia Days of Prayer and Action Resources

This originally appeared on Called to Colombia by Richard Williams and Mamie Broadhurst.

The resources are out! Please take time to participate in the National Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia this year on April 8th -11th. This is an opportunity for you and your congregation to get involved in the lives and struggles of the Colombian people.

Mamie and I will be working with congregations of the IPC here in Colombia to join in this international effort to raise our prayers, consciousness, and support for the cause of a peace and dignity for all victims of violence in Colombia.  We hope that you and your congregation mights also take part.  This packet includes many interactive and creative ways your congregation can participate the 10th, and ideas for what to do on the 11th.

Our ecumenical partners Witness for Peace have all the information – from worship materials to advocacy packets – on there Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia page.  Please take a look – and take a step towards justice with our Colombian sisters and brothers!

Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia – 2011 Information

From Witness for Peace:

With nearly five million people forced from their homes, Colombia is the site of the Western Hemisphere’s greatest displacement crisis. Violence drives more and more people from their homes every day.

We invite you to be a voice for peace and justice in my country by joining thousands of activists, students and people of faith this April. Click here to find out more about the Days of Action for Colombia and how to get involved.

We are organizing events across the nation to raise awareness about Colombian communities facing violence and displacement. To stand in solidarity with these communities, Witness for Peace and our partners are advocating for U.S. policies that will alleviate, not exacerbate, Colombia’s crisis.

Join us this April 8^th to 11^th as we call on our government to pursue policies that protect communities at risk of displacement, small-scale farmers, and Colombian human rights advocates, instead of funding an abusive military and pushing an unfair trade agreement.

Help us build the movement of solidarity with Colombians by taking action during this year’s National Days of Action for Colombia.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days

Ecumenical Advocacy Days is meeting in Washington, DC this weekend and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations is excited to be joining our Presbyterian Church (USA) partners and the Office of Public Witness to be advocating for a just and compassionate world.

The theme of Advocacy Days this year is development, security and economic justice, what does gender have to do with it?

The Presbyterian Church USA has the largest number of members attending this year's conference.  The conference has been an excellent opportunity to meet Presbyterians and ecumenical advocacy partners. 

Tonight, we will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Office of Public Witness with a boat cruise on the historice Potomac River. 

Libya, Madagascar, Colombia, Japan

The UN Security Council has acted on Libya: Security Council authorizes ‘all necessary measures’ to protect civilians in Libya

Madagascar remains plagued by political uncertainty: Madagascar still mired in crisis 2 years after coup

Violence continues to displace people in Colombia: Violent struggle over illegal mining in Colombia forces hundreds to flee, UN reports

The people of Japan struggle to cope with the impact of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster: Japan - PDA index of response

 

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?