Swords into Plowshares

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

The details are still coming in, but the UN reports an attack on peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.

This comes as the UN community celebrates the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

The day has two purposes:

• to honour the memory of the UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the cause of peace;
• to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in UN Peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage.

UN Peacekeepers are, like all of us, not perfect. It has been noted that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)" is empirically verifiable.

UN Peacekeepers have violated their trust at times. Peacekeeping operations have been given inadequate mandates, provided insufficient equipment at times, and received inappropriate leadership.

Yet, women and men from around the world still put themselves in harm's way to preserve the peace and protect the people in places around the world.

We give thanks for those people who serve in peacekeeping missions. We remember for those peacekeepers who have fallen in those missions. We pray for those peacekeepers who were attacked today.

About the photo: Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro offers a wreath during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony in honour of all fallen peacekeepers in the United Nations Visitors Lobby. Photo is by UN Photo/Evan Schneider.

Sudan in Transition

Thursday 2 June 2011

11:00 am- 1:30 pm

at

Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations

777 UN Plaza, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10017

 

11:00 – Noon

Briefing - Humanitarian concerns and hopes for South Sudan and insight on the new mandate as well as the Security Council trip to Sudan in May.

• Ms. Aida Mengistu (confirmed)- Desk Officer for Sudan, Africa II Section, Coordination & Response Division,Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
• Ms. Lacey Stone(confirmed), NGO Officer, U.S. Fund for UNICEF

 

12:15 – 1:30

Conversation- The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in ministry in Sudan.

• The Rev. Roger Dermody- Deputy Executive Director for Mission, General Assembly Council for Mission, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

 

Lunch will be provided.

Please R.S.V.P. to 216-697-4568 or [email protected]

 

 

The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations equips and inspires Presbyterians for global discipleship following Jesus and advocates for peace and justiceguided by policies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s General Assembly. 

 

United Nations Human Rights Council voting on Friday

The election of fifteen members of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations will be held on Friday, 20 May 2011, at 10 a.m. in the General Assembly Hall. Here, you see information from the United Nations General Assembly regarding the election of the Human Rights Council:

In accordance with paragraph 7 of General Assembly resolution 60/251 the Council shall consist of 47 Member States, which shall be elected directly and individually by secret ballot by the majority of the members of the General Assembly.

The membership shall be based on equitable geographical distribution, and seats shall be distributed as follows among regional groups:

• Group of African States (13)
• Group of Asian States (13)
• Group of Eastern European States (6)
• Group of Latin American and Caribbean States (8)
• Group of Western European and other States (7)

The members of the Council shall serve for a period of three years and shall not be eligible for immediate re-election after two consecutive terms.

Member States who have chosen to announce their candidacies in writing are listed below. Voluntary pledges that Member States have chosen to provide in support of their respective candidacies, in accordance with paragraph 8 of General Assembly resolution 60/251, are issued as General Assembly documents in all official languages.

More information about the list of candidates as well as the list of retiring members is available here.

So what does this mean to Presbyterians?  The Human Rights Council is the main body within the United Nations system set to ensure that member states of the United Nations support human rights around the world.  One such human right is the freedom of religion or belief.

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) affirms that religious freedom is a universal human right. This affirmation is expressed through our deep commitment to religious freedom around the world in our policies and programs. We are particularly concerned for people of any faith who find themselves as a religious minority in any country.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) policy identifies responsibilities and actions that governments should take and actions that governments should avoid as well as commitments of the church itself. These include:

• Governments have responsibility to promote and protect religious freedom and should:
  • Give specific protections concerning religious freedom in their official policies, constitution and practices;
  • Give full cooperation to the UN in the performance of its responsibilities for protecting human rights;
• And should not:
  • Co-opt, manipulate, or constrain religious practice by any persons, groups, or religious bodies except as may properly be necessary for the protection of human rights for all;
  • Limit or deny religious participation in public life; or
  • Discriminate either for or against any religious tradition or organization.

• The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), as a national church, has committed to:
  • Advocate for the religious freedom of any persons, groups, and religious bodies such as is consistent with the human rights for all;
  • Advocate that no official U.S. government relationship or diplomatic status be accorded any religious group or organization;
  • Urge the U.S. government to accord a key role to the United Nations in issues of religious freedom abroad even as it recognizes that a U.S. government role, based upon U.S. policies, is appropriate;
  • Give deference to partner churches’ determination of how to address issues of religious freedom in their own contexts and advocate, when consistent with General Assembly policies, as appropriate;
  • Be aware of the role of media and educate its members about general stereotypes and particular complexities in situations of curtailed religious freedom abroad.

The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations works within the United Nations system and with United Nations member states working to protect religious freedom throughout the world.

 

Video of International Ecumenical Peace Convocation

The World Council of Churches (WCC) will be web streaming the plenary sessions and special events of the upcoming International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC). The video streams will be live from the Mona campus of the University of West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, where the convocation is being held, beginning Wednesday 18 May.

The streaming will be available through the IEPC website and the Jamaica Information Service. Following is the web streaming schedule. All times are Jamaica local time (GMT-5 hours) and subject to change. Find more information about the speakers and panel members in the IEPC handbook.

Wednesday 18 May (time and speakers subject to change)

Time: 14:30 - 16:30 
Plenary: Opening, DOV celebration, keynote address, greetings

Scheduled speakers:

• Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit
• Rev. Dr Paul Gardner
• Rev. Dr Margot Kässmann
• Metropolitan Dr Hilarion of Volokolamsk
• Canon Dr Paul Oestreicher

Time: 17:30 - 19:00
 Opening Prayer and worship service

Thursday 19 May (time and speakers subject to change)

Time: 10:30 - 12:30
 Plenary: Peace in the Community

Scheduled speakers and panel:

• Martin Luther King III
• Prof. Ram Puniyani
• Dr Muna Mushahwar
• Dr Deborah Weissman
• Dr Tania Mara Viera Sampaio
• Asha Kowtal
• Rev. Karen Thompson

Friday 20 May (time and speakers subject to change)

Time: 10:30 - 12:30 
Plenary: Peace with the Earth

Scheduled speakers and panel:

• Rev. Tafue M. Lusama
• Sr Ernestina López Bac
• Adrian Shaw
• Lic. Elias Crisostomo Abramides
• Fr Prof. Dr Kondothra M. George
• Choir from Global Network of Religion for Children

Saturday 21 May (time and speakers subject to change)

Time: 10:30 - 12:30
Plenary: Peace in the Marketplace

Scheduled speakers and panel:

• Archbishop Valentine Mokiwa
• Omega Bula
• Fr Emmanuel Clapsis
• Rev. Dr Roderick Hewitt
• Rev. Garnett Roper
• Dr Rommel F. Linatoc

Sunday 22 May (time subject to change)

Time 17:00 - 19:00 Concert (time to be confirmed)

Monday 23 May (time and speakers subject to change)

Time: 10:30 - 12:30
Plenary: Peace among the Peoples

Scheduled speakers and panel:

• Setsuko Thurlow
• Dr Christiane Agboton-Johnson
• Dr Patricia Lewis
• Dr Lisa Schirch
• Archbishop Avak Asadourian
• Rev. Kjell Magne Bondevik 

Tuesday 24 May (time subject to change)

Time: 10:30 - 12:30 and 14:30 - 16:15
 Closing Plenaries

Blessed are the peacemakers

From across the Presbytery of New York City they came to First Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn for the Presbyterian Women's Spring Gathering.

The 2011-2012 Horizons Bible Study, Confessing the Beatitudes by the Rev. Dr. Margaret Aymer, provided the theme and focus for the gathering.

Recognizing that peace is a gift of God, participants explored ways in which we can respond as peacemakers.

The 2011-2012 Bible Study was introduced.

Ryan Smith and Mark Koenig talked about the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations and the ways that Presbyterian Women can become involved. They described the efforts of the United Nations to achieve gender justice and equality, particularly through the UN Women and the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations works with Ecumenical Women to network, educate, and advocate at the CSW.

Annie Rawlings and Sean "Dino" Johnson spoke about the work of Rehabilitation through the Arts (RTA). Founded at Sing Sing in 1996, RTA now works in five New York state prisons, providing innovative programs in theater, dance, creative writing, voice and visual art. RTA uses the creative arts as a tool for transformation behind prison walls. The Web page says "RTA changes lives." Sean Johnson will tell you it saved his.

Annie then talked about Prepare New York is a coalition of New York based interfaith organizations, including Auburn Seminary and its Center for Multifaith Education, Interfaith Center of New York, Intersections International, Odyssey Networks, Quest, and Tanenbaum and its Religion and Diversity Education Program, who have joined together to help create a city-wide climate that promotes healing and reconciliation in anticipation of the tenth anniversary of 9/11.

Rosemary Whaley made a presentation on domestic violence - the dynamics and statistics and ways to address the issues involved. Dana Trexler spoke about the work of Safe Horizon to provide domestic violence shelters.

During closing worship, the Rev. Dr. Flora Wilson Bridges preached about the ministry of reconciliation God entrusts to us. The participants joined in the song Bind Us Together.

As we departed, we each received a stone from the peace meditation table - with the invitation to use the stone to focus our thoughts and prayers on making peace.

 

First-ever Congressional Hearing on Indigenous Peoples of Africa

WASHINGTON – On May 12, for the first time, the U.S. Congress will devote a hearing solely to Indigenous Peoples of Africa.* The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission will host the gathering, the second in its unprecedented series of hearings on Indigenous Peoples worldwide.
 
African leaders will outline Indigenous-controlled economic development models. Other speakers will describe continuing human rights abuses and the challenges of climate change for Indigenous Peoples of Africa.
 
Also on the agenda will be the groundbreaking decisions of several African states to include Indigenous Peoples, for the first time, in the lawful social consensus. Post-colonial regimes throughout Africa have spent decades denying that Indigenous Peoples exist, just as colonial powers had done before them. But as they break with the colonial past, African nations have recognized Indigenous rights for the first time. The Central African Republic, Kenya, and the Republic of Congo have taken legal measures to reclaim Indigenous Peoples as original citizens.
 
A witness from the Nyangatom Tribe in Ethiopia, Phillemon Nakali Loyelei, will describe another first among environment-friendly economic development models: the Indigenous-controlled Community Conservancies that several tribes are trying to institute in Ethiopia. By conserving wildlife on their customary lands, they hope to increase their revenues from tourism.
 
The May 12 hearing will take place in Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2226, at 10 a.m. (U.S. Eastern Standard Time).

###
 
* The definition of Indigenous Peoples is still contested in some parts of Africa, though a U.N. working definition of “Indigenous communities, peoples and nations” has gained followers in recent years. The Indigenous Peoples of Africa Co-Ordinating Committee reviews the issues.
 
Please share with your networks. Those interested in submitting testimony for the hearings should do so before May 12, 2011 to Lars de Gier.

NOTE: The event may be Webcast. We will post if we learn that before the hearing.

Hope for Darfur - Justice in Sudan Rally

Hope for Darfur - Justice in Sudan Rally

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 1:30 PM

Washington, DC

Register for the Rally

Find other ways to support the effort

The Hope For Darfur - Justice in Sudan Rally objective is to encourage people to stand up, take action, and march to demonstrate to our government that there is continued broad US citizen support for the United States to pursue peace and justice in Sudan. Darfur Interfaith Network (DIN) and GI-NET/Save Darfur are determined to raise awareness of the unjust policies of the Government of Sudan and the resultant unsafe and horrible living conditions of Darfuris and for those who continue to suffer in southern Sudan and other marginalized areas in Sudan. DIN wants to let the opressed people of Sudan know they are neither alone nor forgotten. We are demanding that the US government and the international community act with greater focus and determination to help the innocent people of Darfur and other areas in Sudan who have suffered far too long.

The Hope for Darfur - Justice in Sudan Rally will start at 1:30 pm at the Metropolitan AME Church at 1518 M Street, N.W. Weather permitting, we will walk about half of a mile to Lafayette Park across from the White House where the rally will be held. Your support will help make a difference.

Under the Big Tent

Join Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations staff under the Big Tent - June 30-July 2 in Indianapolis.

Ryan will be taking part in the Presbyterian Peacemaking Conference.

Mark will be with World Mission Matters.

We will co-lead one of the shared workshop; each of us will lead a conversation during the Peacemaking Conference.

Register now!

See you in Indianapolis.

Register for Peacemaking Conference and Pre-Conference at the Big Tent

Register NOW for the Peacemaking Conference

and Pre-Conference at Big Tent

June 30-July 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, IN

The Big Tent ― the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s biennial celebration of ministry and mission ― will be pitched in Indianapolis June 30-July 2.  Register Now!

The Big Tent provides an opportunity to experience the exciting ministries of the PC(USA) at the same time and in the same location as we Grow Christ’s Church Deep and Wide. As a Big Tent partner conference, the Peacemaking Conference is nested in the schedule of events  and invites participants to join in Growing Christ’s Peace.  Peacemaking is a journey that grows over time and flourishes in community. The conference will focus on planting seeds for peacemaking as essential to servanthood, discipleship, diversity and evangelism. Through inspired worship, poignant presentations, sharing “best practices” and conversations on peacemaking issues including public witness, Sudan, the environment, trafficking, supporting military and their families, the United Nations and Israel/Palestine  to conversations with church leaders.

Come early to the Big Tent and attend an action oriented Peacemaking Pre-Conference   Gun Violence, Gospel Values:  Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call.  Co-sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, and Heeding God’s Call.

Peacemaking Scholarship Application deadline for the Peacemaking Conference has been extended to Monday, May 16.   Scholarship applicants should register for the Peacemaking Conference and choose the “Scholarship” option for registration payment while you wait for scholarship confirmation.

For more information, please contact Nancy Eng MacNeill or Dayna Oliver at 800-728-7228 ext. 8700.

Your gift to Peacemaking Intergenerational Conference Scholarship assists in reducing overall costs for all participants and provides additional scholarship assistance for individuals and especially families.

Resources for World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel

Here are some resources to use or adapt for the week of advocacy and action for a just peace in Palestine and Israel sponsored by the World Council of Churches on May 29 - June 4.

• The Jerusalem Prayer for 2011, authored by the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem (available in English, French, German, and Spanish)
• Service of the Word liturgy for 29 May 2011, based on the lectionary readings for the day, designed by members of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum, an initiative of the World Council of Churches
• a series of reflections on the theme, "I Dream of Peace in Jerusalem," written by residents of the city
• Join an ecumenical prayer vigil

Learn about the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ministries and policies related to Israel and Palestine.