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.

Accompanying Clark: A Brief Tour of Hebron

Check out Accompanying Clark: A Brief Tour of Hebron

Clark Scalera reflects on his service in Hebron with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. Clark is a Presbyterian minister who served in Hebron from October to December of last year.

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. 

EAPPI Newsletter

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel has posted its February 2011 Newsletter.

Presbyterian Clark Scalera recently completed a term of service with the EAPPI.

The EAPPI brings internationals to the West Bank to experience life under occupation. Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs) provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and report human rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace. When they return home, EAs campaign for a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict through an end to the occupation, respect for international law and implementation of UN resolutions.

Accompaniment in Palestine and Israel

Become a Facebook friend of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) and learn about this important ministry.

From the EAPPI Web page comes the following description:

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) brings internationals to the West Bank to experience life under occupation. Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs) provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and report human rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace. When they return home, EAs campaign for a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict through an end to the occupation, respect for international law and implementation of UN resolutions.

The EAPPI also provides factsheets on the situation in the West Bank.

The Rev. Clark Scalera, a Presbyterian minister, has just finished service as a EA in Hebron.

Breaking Down the Walls, the report adopted by the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), calls Presbyterians to participate in the EAPPI.