The Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ lives in the midst of several
|
|
- Jerome Osborne
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 A Response to the Initial Statement of the World Council of Churches Toward an Ecumenical Declaration on Just Peace on behalf of Penn Central Conference, United Church of Christ The Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ lives in the midst of several of the historic peace churches///friedenskirche of the world. The state of Pennsylvania was founded by William, Penn, a Quaker. We interact, sometimes daily, with Amish and Mennonite///Amische und Mennoniten believers whose faith requires that they not serve in military organizations. Our mutual presence reminds the members of our Conference that we too are called to be peacemakers///friedensstifter, to resist violence, and to go beyond our own boundaries and definitions in seeking shalom for the world. 1 The United Church of Christ adopted a resolution in support of the Decade to Overcome Violence at our 23 rd General Synod in Kansas City in Throughout this Decade to Overcome Violence, one of the most significant witnesses to peace came more than six years ago, as protests against the beginning of the war in Iraq were staged by numerous local congregations and also ecumenical organizations in local communities. While this effort may not have stopped the war from happening, it was an important expression of our Christian faith and witness. Within our communion, the United Church of Christ///UCC Vereinigte Kirche Christi, congregations have been invited for nearly twenty-five years to identify themselves [following a period of study and reflection] as Just Peace churches///gerechte Friedenskirchen. An article celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the passage of the Just Peace Church Pronouncement by our UCC Synod, defined just peace ///gerechter Friede as the interrelation of friendship, justice, and common security from violence. 1 Gather Round, one of the educational curriculums promoted and distributed in the United Church of Christ was originally a project of the Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Church USA, and Mennonite Church Canada. 2 The text of the statement is appended to the end of this document. 1
2 The pronouncement///verkündigung called the church to a vision of shalom rooted in peace with justice and placed the UCC General Synod in opposition to the institution of war. 3. In 2003, at the onset of the Iraq war, the United Church of Christ published a resource called Patriotism, Nationalism and the Christian Life, a resource for UCC congregations which suggests appropriate Christian responses during time of war. 4 Much of this material, which includes worship resources///quellen der Verehrung, is still valuable today, six years later, when we still have troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan. A year later in 2004, we attempted an unprecedented effort to collect 100,000 signatures of church members on a petition opposing the continuation of the war in Iraq. In conjunction with our General Synod earlier that year, a statement was prepared by the officers/// of the United Church of Christ and endorsed by every Conference Minister in our then 39 Conferences. Theologically in keeping with the ancient understanding of shalom as the wellbeing of all, the United Church of Christ has included under justice and peace such things as working for equal rights for gay, lesbian and transgendered individuals///transsexuelle Menschen, and even (as this is being written in August 2009) equal access to health care///gesundheitliche Versorgung for people of limited means. Page three of the Initial Statement cites the UN Year of Indigenous People///UN Jahr der indigenen Völker as a sign of the growing awareness of the need for shalom in the world. In Penn Central Conference, we have been in relationship with the people of the Dakota Association of the United Church of Christ for over twenty years. Indeed, on multiple occasions our brothers and sisters from the EKiR have come to the US and 3 from the webpage just-peace-church-1.html 4 2
3 joined us on trips to share with our Lakota brothers and sisters///mit unseren Brüdern und Schwestern aus Lakota, or have led trips of their own. Page three also mentions the lifting of apartheid in South Africa in Because Penn Central Conference is in partnership with the Namibia Synod of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa/// UCCSA, we are strongly aware that Namibia, once a province of South Africa against their will, also suffered under apartheid. We support our brothers and sisters in the Namibia Synod and in the whole UCCSA as they work for the elimination of not just racial barriers, but also poverty, lack of adequate housing, lack of educational opportunities, and lack of employment. We have worked with our Namibian partners to provide scholarships for refugee children///stipendien für Flüchtlingskinder in order for them to attend the Osire School. With its relative stability, Namibia has been a desirable destination for those fleeing oppression in places like Zimbabwe. Refugees present a special issue in war-torn or violence-prone areas///von Krieg oder Gewalt erschüttert throughout the world. Recently the United Church of Christ celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its creation as a united and uniting church. We celebrate our ecumenical partnership and consider them also to be a critical part of the work of shalom that God lays before us. Much of the work of the United Church of Christ in the area of direct peacemaking efforts in our current world is occurring in partnership with the Middle East Council of Churches///Kirchenrat des Mittleren Ostens. Our longstanding relationships in Israel/Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and elsewhere, allow us to speak words of comfort and courage to those who are suffering under conditions of war, and even to stand physically present with our brothers and sisters as a symbol of our solidarity. Within the last two years, three UCC Conference Ministers have journeyed, along with our Middle 3
4 East Executive, and our General Minister and president, to Israel/Palestine, and to Jordan. While Penn Central Conference has not been directly involved at that point, we nevertheless have engaged in actions which we discern to be our work against violence and its roots on a more local level. Our most recent effort has been to combat racism, a form of violence, through the pursuit of sacred Conversations on Race///geistliche Gespräche zum Thema Rasse. This effort is our local expression of a national movement within the United Church of Christ, and has included multi-week discussions in local congregations, the viewing of a movie at our Conference Annual Meeting///Jahreskonferenz, and other local and regional actions. As I write this paper, the New York Times has announced that former President Bill Clinton is in North Korea seeking the release of two female journalists who were arrested while following a story about women being trafficked from North Korea for the sex trade///wegen Prostitution aus Nordkorea verschleppt. In paragraphs 33 and 41, the WCC Initial Statement///In der Eingangserklärung des Weltkirchenrats, 33 und 41 wird die Gewalt angeprangert, die insbesondere Frauen zu dem Glauben führt, dass Viktimisierung=ungerechte Behandlung unvermeidbar ist decries the violence that leads women, especially, to believe that victimization is unavoidable. We need many Christian, and other people of faith worldwide, to adopt the courage of the young journalists to expose human trafficking. We need to mobilize the public, and especially those in positions of power, to declare that violence against women is unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated. This is the power that we have with others (paragraph 36) or perhaps for others (paragraph 37). It is also important to find our voices as people of faith to speak both to and on behalf of our churches. 4
5 One of our challenges in Penn Central Conference is around effective peace education///wirksame Friedenserziehung. During the years when I lived in Billings, Montana, I worked with the Institute for Peace Studies at Rocky Mountain College, which is related to the United Church of Christ. The Institute was instrumental in helping to introduce peace education in the public schools of Billings. It also learned about a UCC church in Oregon that has inaugurated a peace camp for children in the summer, and we were able to replicate that model in Billings. Now churches in Pennsylvania must undertake similar endeavors and even add more creative ideas for promoting peace education in churches, schools, service organizations, and summer camps. Another related challenge for the United Church of Christ, and for Penn Central specifically, is to make real the need for peace-making skills and peace-making efforts to the person in the pew ///Mensch auf der Kirchenbank in average congregations. Conference Ministers of the United Church of Christ have recently been in discussion online about what our various Conferences do in regard to conflict mediation for our congregations. There is a pressing need to promote new ways of thinking in a society that is oriented to conflict and self-interest. The pursuit of peace is as old as the church itself. As the Initial Statement makes clear, our mandate comes from the life, ministry and teaching of Jesus himself. While the need may be old, it has never been more pressing. Together with ecumenical partners around the world, we have an opportunity to proclaim peace and to teach the ways of peace-making. May we respond as vigorously as our faith calls us to respond. 5
6 Appendix In 2001, at our 23 rd General Synod, the United Church of Christ adopted the following resolution in support of the Decade to Overcome Violence: Summary: This resolution calls upon the various settings of the United Church of Christ to take an active role in the Decade to Overcome Violence and to join together and with other denominations and organizations in doing so. Doing so, we shall overcome some day... Resolution: WHEREAS the psalmist wrote, Seek peace, and pursue it (Ps. 34:14), and the prophet Isaiah wrote the wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox;... They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain (Isa. 65:25), and Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount///Bergpredigt, blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. (Matt. 5:9); WHEREAS we recall with thanksgiving the history of saints and martyrs of the church who gave their lives as witnesses for God against the powers of violence and at the same time we confess the role that the church has too often played in adding to the violence and injustice of the world; WHEREAS the world s Nobel Peace laureates///nobelpreisträger have appealed for a Decade for a Culture of Nonviolence, and a Year of Education for Nonviolence, with special emphasis on children and youth; WHEREAS the United Nations has designated the years as the Decade for Nonviolence///Gewaltlosigkeit and a Culture of Peace for the Children of the World; WHEREAS the World Council of Churches, meeting at its Eighth Assembly in Harare, called upon its member churches to observe a Decade to Overcome Violence from 2001 to 2010, calling upon its member churches to provide a clear witness to peace, reconciliation, and nonviolence, grounded in justice; WHEREAS the U.S. Conference of the World Council of Churches began this observance with a Lenten fast from violence in 2001, requesting member churches to pray the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, Lord make me an instrument of thy peace; WHEREAS the United Church of Christ has designated itself as a Just Peace church and many local churches have designated themselves as Just Peace churches; WHEREAS violence is fracturing our world, destroying our culture, and takes many forms from the violence of war and genocide///genozid=völkermord, to the violence due to the use of land mines and the proliferation of small arms, to the systemic violence of poverty and racism, to violence in the home against women and children, to the violence done to the whole of God s creation, to the violence of hate crimes and police brutality, to the violence of gangs, to the violence which erupts in U. S. schools and is found in our churches; WHEREAS as Christians, we are called upon to recognize that our cultural addiction to violence is a spiritual challenge that calls us to prophetic witness; WHEREAS we have heard the call to nonviolence as an active alternative to violence from modern prophets such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and as a way of living out Jesus teachings and bearing witness to God s promise of peace with justice; and WHEREAS the culture of violence surrounds us all and is found in our entertainment, our sports, our worldview, and is embedded in our history; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Twenty-third General Synod calls upon every local church to act to overcome violence in our world and especially in its own community by being a witness for peace with justice and reconciliation, through Bible study and 6
7 theological reflection, and through dialogue and prayerful consideration of how it can be active participants in the Decade to Overcome Violence; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Twenty-third General Synod calls upon the Conferences and Associations of the United Church of Christ to affirm the commitment of the United Church of Christ to support a Decade to Overcome Violence and to discern how they might become active participants in the Decade; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Twenty-third General Synod calls upon the seminaries of the United Church of Christ and the historically related seminaries to include education on issues of violence in the curriculum for the preparation of pastors and in continuing education programs; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Twenty-third General Synod calls upon Justice and Witness Ministries to coordinate work in the national setting of the church around overcoming violence and to provide leadership training on nonviolence and conflict resolution and violence prevention education, to work with youth and young adults in programs to end violence, to advocate for an end to land mines and the proliferation of small arms, and to work to overcome the institutional and systemic violence of racism and poverty; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Twenty-third General Synod calls upon Wider Church Ministries to explore appropriate ways for the United Church of Christ to participate in the United Nations Decade for Nonviolence and a Culture of Peace and to develop necessary resources for such participation; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Twenty-third General Synod calls upon the Office of General Ministries to coordinate the promotion and information for the United Church of Christ s participation in the World Council of Churches Decade to Overcome Violence, and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Twenty-third General Synod calls upon Local Church Ministries to produce the appropriate bulletin inserts and curriculum resources for local churches to participate in the Decade to Overcome Violence. 7
Light a CandLe take a MoMent to prayerfully ConSider a Shining MoMent
Shine, God s People Struggling for Justice and Peace Light a Candle Creator God, God of all people, Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust.
More informationCommitment to Peacemaking
Commitment to Peacemaking Responding to God s Covenant, now commits itself to peacemaking. In fulfilling this commitment, we will do peacemaking through: WORSHIP: provide worship that expresses the reality
More informationSocial Justice Priorities
Social Justice Priorities What They Are These social issues are the foci of United Methodist Women s advocacy and mission work:! Women's Rights! Immigration! Health Care! Environment! Economic Justice!
More informationYOU WORLD YOUR CHURCH. in the. with.
Your Passport to YOU in the WORLD with YOUR CHURCH Date issued PLACE Name PHOTO HERE Your church/congregation Your Disciples region or UCC conference As a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
More informationStrengthen Staff Resources for Networking House of Deputies Committee on the State of the Church Justice
RESOLUTION NO.: 2018-A057 GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2018 ARCHIVES RESEARCH REPORT TITLE: PROPOSER: TOPIC: Strengthen Staff Resources for Networking House of Deputies Committee on the State
More informationFrequently Asked Questions about Peace not Walls
Frequently Asked Questions about Peace not Walls General Overview 1. Why is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict important? For generations, Palestinian Christians, Muslims, and Israeli Jews have suffered
More informationSocial Advocacy, Justice, and Ethnic Ministries Team
1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 Social Advocacy, Justice, and Ethnic Ministries Team The Social Advocacy Team of the Indiana Conference has gone through a time of transition and visioning in the last year. The
More informationCAMPAIGN GUIDE. 50 years of solidarity! Table of Contents
50 years of solidarity! On October 20, 2017, Development and Peace will celebrate 50 years of solidarity, partnership, reflection, action, and sharing. 50 years of solidarity, so much to celebrate! $600
More informationApril. April Holy Week
Following are topic suggestions for April-June that can be the basis for a variety of communication opportunities, from viewpoint articles placed with local newspapers to sermons shared with parishioners
More informationThe Board of Directors recommends this resolution be sent to a Committee of the General Synod.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 The Board of Directors recommends this resolution be sent to a Committee of
More informationIntroduction THREE LEVELS OF THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION
Introduction What is the nature of God as revealed in the communities that follow Jesus Christ and what practices best express faith in God? This is a question of practical theology. In this book, I respond
More informationDo not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds...
Gathering For God s Future Witness, Discipleship, Community: A Renewed Call to Worldwide Mission Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds... Romans 12:2 Gathering
More informationResolutions of ACC-14 relating to the Anglican Peace and Justice Network
Resolutions of ACC-14 relating to the Anglican Peace and Justice Network Resolution 14.21: The Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil (from the Anglican Peace and Justice Network [APJN]) Resolved, 08.05.09
More informationAn introduction to the World Council of Churches
An introduction to the World Council of Churches unity witness service The World Council of Churches (WCC) is a global fellowship of churches whose relationship with one another and activities together
More informationChurch Designations and Statements of Public Witness
Church Designations and Statements What s behind all this? In a previous unit, participants were invited to explore actions and functions of the General Synod of the United Church of Christ. There they
More informationA Just Peace Church Declaration First Church of Lombard, UCC Approved by the Congregation March 5, 2017
A Just Peace Church Declaration First Church of Lombard, UCC Approved by the Congregation March 5, 2017 The Declaration Itself Giving God thanks for Jesus, the Hebrew prophets, and all who have gone before
More informationWorld Council of Churches 10th Assembly 30 October to 8 November 2013 Busan, Republic of Korea. Document No. PIC 02.3 ADOPTED
ADOPTED World Council of Churches 10th Assembly 30 October to 8 November 2013 Busan, Republic of Korea Document No. PIC 02.3 EN Original Statement on Peace and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula For
More informationGA Report to the 2017 General Board and General Assembly
GA-1706 COUNCIL ON CHRISTIAN UNITY Seung Un (Paul) Tche, President 1099 North Meridian Street, Suite 700 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: 317-713-2585 Email: tche@disciples.org Report to the 2017 General
More informationOpening Remarks. Presentation by Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia General Secretary, World Council of Churches
Opening Remarks Presentation by Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia General Secretary, World Council of Churches Consultation on Ecumenism in the 21 st Century Chavannes-de-Bogis, Switzerland 30 November 2004 Karibu!
More informationOCR GCSE Religious Studies B Philosophy and Applied Ethics Revision Book J121 (Short Course) J621 (Full Course) Ethics 2 Module B604
Name:. OCR GCSE Religious Studies B Philosophy and Applied Ethics Revision Book J121 (Short Course) J621 (Full Course) Ethics 2 Module B604 Religion, Peace and Justice In this topic you studied: Christian
More informationCato Institute 2017 Free Speech and Tolerance Survey
Cato Institute 2017 Free Speech and Tolerance Survey Cato Institute/YouGov August 15-23, 2017 N=2,300 Margin of error +/- 3.00%. Columns may not add up to due to rounding. ALL 1. Which of the following
More informationPrayer for Peace A Prayer Service Sponsored by the Academy of Our Lady of Guam in 2003
Prayer for Peace A Prayer Service Sponsored by the Academy of Our Lady of Guam in 2003 Welcome Call to Prayer All: "The nation's shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks;
More informationPray for migrants and refugees. Mahayana Buddhist New Year. Pray for tolerance among people of differing beliefs.
PEACE AND JUSTICE PRAYER CALENDAR FOR JANUARY 2018 Poverty Awareness Month (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops) Human Trafficking Awareness Month (U.S.) January 1 Feast of the Solemnity of Mary World
More informationJesus Christ, Peace of the Whole World
"Reformation Eine Welt und Gerechter Friede" Bible Study Jesus Christ, Peace of the Whole World in der Sitzung der 15. Landessynode am 8. Juli 2016 TOP 14 Jesus Christ, Peace of the Whole World Bible Study
More informationChurches seeking Reconciliation and Peace. Churches seeking Reconciliation and Peace
Churches Seeking Reconciliation and Peace What is the Decade about? The Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) 2001-2010: Churches seeking reconciliation and peace calls churches, ecumenical organizations and
More informationChanging Religious and Cultural Context
Changing Religious and Cultural Context 1. Mission as healing and reconciling communities In a time of globalization, violence, ideological polarization, fragmentation and exclusion, what is the importance
More informationPETITION # L-1 AFFIRMING WESTERN JURISDICTION COUNCIL OF BISHOPS RESPONSE TO JUDICIAL COUNCIL AND THE WESTERN JURISDICTION S COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 PETITION # L-1 AFFIRMING WESTERN JURISDICTION COUNCIL OF BISHOPS RESPONSE TO JUDICIAL COUNCIL AND THE WESTERN JURISDICTION S COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE MINISTRY Resolved: We, the
More informationThe Board of Directors recommends this resolution be sent to a Committee of the General Synod. A Resolution of Witness
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 The Board of Directors recommends this resolution be sent to a Committee
More informationUCC s National Action Team Kit
UCC s National Action Team Kit Thank you for downloading the Action Team kit. This kit includes a list of things you can do in your community to gather support in opposing the Iraq War and free materials
More informationNanjing Statement on Interfaith Dialogue
Nanjing Statement on Interfaith Dialogue (Nanjing, China, 19 21 June 2007) 1. We, the representatives of ASEM partners, reflecting various cultural, religious, and faith heritages, gathered in Nanjing,
More informationWhat Do We Value? Dr. Robert F. Browning, Pastor. First Baptist Church. Frankfort, Kentucky. June 20, 2018
What Do We Value? By Dr. Robert F. Browning, Pastor First Baptist Church Frankfort, Kentucky June 20, 2018 Healthy churches have a clear sense of identity, mission, purpose, uniqueness and methodology.
More informationWEA Peace and Reconciliation Initiative E-NEWS December - January 2010
Peace and reconciliation Initiative WEA Peace and Reconciliation Initiative E-NEWS December - January 2010 Christmas 2009 Every Christmas should be reminder to us all that Christ has come to share his
More informationRE: Support for House Bill #1862: An Act Providing Housing and Support Services for Unaccompanied Youth
Rev. Dr. Frances Bogle, Chair Massachusetts Conference United Church of Christ- Task Team to End Homelessness 4 Nancy Lane Framingham, MA 01701 508-877-1217 July 19, 2011 Representative Kay Kahn, Co-chair
More informationSeptember 19, Dear Members of the Candler Community,
September 19, 2013 Dear Members of the Candler Community, I have heard a number of concerns expressed about Candler School of Theology presenting a Distinguished Alumni Award to the Rev. Dr. H. Eddie Fox
More informationPeacemaking and the Uniting Church
Peacemaking and the Uniting Church June 2012 Peacemaking has been a concern of the Uniting Church since its inception in 1977. As early as 1982 the Assembly made a major statement on peacemaking and has
More information89-GS-58 VOTED: The 17th General Synod adopts the Resolution "Ecumenical Partnership."
89-GS-58 VOTED: The 17th General Synod adopts the Resolution "Ecumenical Partnership." ECUMENICAL PARTNERSHIP Background The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ affirm
More informationTHE PRESBYTERIAN HUNGER PROGRAM
THE PRESBYTERIAN HUNGER PROGRAM HOW IT WORKS IN RESPONDING TO WORLD HUNGER THE COMMON AFFIRMATION ON GLOBAL HUNGER In 1979 the General Assemblies of the two predecessors of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
More informationThemes. Covision Report: July 7-8, Covision Report: Future Church Summit - Themes Page 1
Themes Covision Report: July 7-8, 2017 Covision Report: Future Church Summit - Themes Page 1 Themes: What draws us to this faith? Strong sense of community, caring and mutual connection. Centrality of
More informationA CHEAT SHEET Religion and HUMAN RIGHTS
A CHEAT SHEET Religion and HUMAN RIGHTS Christian attitudes towards the law and human rights You are all made in the image of God One in Christ Love your neighbour These 3 teachings would mean that Christians
More informationWould you harbor me? Would I harbor you? Will we prepare a place for one another and for those most marginalized in our world?
Reading Would You Harbor Me? Lyrics by Ysaye Barnwell Would you harbor a Christian, a Muslim, a Jew a heretic, convict or spy? Would you harbor a run away woman, or child, a poet, a prophet, a king? Would
More informationReconciling in Christ Synods a Synod s guide to RIC
Reconciling in Christ Synods a Synod s guide to RIC ReconcilingWorks believes that God values and embraces each person as a beloved child, that the Spirit gives a diversity of gifts for the common good,
More informationTHE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS. Office of Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships
THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS Office of Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships 2016 A publication of the Council of Bishops Office of Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships The United Methodist
More informationPresbyterians Do Mission in Partnership
Presbyterians Do Mission in Partnership 2003 General Assembly Policy Statement Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Summary As heirs to God's grace in Jesus Christ, and joint heirs with all who confess him Lord,
More informationALL AFRICA CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES (AACC) THE POST-JUBILEE ASSEMBLY PROGRAMMATIC THRUSTS (REVISED)
ALL AFRICA CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES (AACC) THE POST-JUBILEE ASSEMBLY PROGRAMMATIC THRUSTS 2014 2018 (REVISED) THE POST-JUBILEE PROGRAMMATIC THRUSTS 2014 2018 (REVISED) Table of CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... 4
More informationA NEW AGAPE WORSHIP RESOURCES
A NEW AGAPE WORSHIP RESOURCES C1 RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP AND REFLECTION C2 SOME THOUGHTS BEFORE YOU LOOK AT THE RESOURCES THEMSELVES... For too long, European-Canadians have assumed cultural and religious
More informationBishop s Report To The Judicial Council Of The United Methodist Church
Bishop s Report To The Judicial Council Of The United Methodist Church 1. This is the form which the Judicial Council is required to provide for the reporting of decisions of law made by bishops in response
More informationThe Ecumenical Movement on Peace and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula
The Ecumenical Movement on Peace and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula Jieun Kim Han The 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) took place in Busan, Republic of Korea, from October 30
More informationTAKE 25 HOURS AND CHANGE THE WORLD
THERE IS AN AGE-OLD PROVERB ABOUT POVERTY WHICH TELLS US: Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.... BUT SHOULDN T WE ASK WHY THE MAN HAS NO
More informationReformed Church. But we cannot forget a fifth strand, the Afro- Christian tradition, which
History and Polity Paper Angela Wells April 2012 Through reading, studying and praying about the denomination of the United Church of Christ, I have found that our historical roots inform our theology,
More informationCreate Task Force on the Theology of Social Justice Advocacy as Christian Justice House of Deputies Committee on the State of the Church Justice
RESOLUTION NO.: 2018-A056 GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2018 ARCHIVES RESEARCH REPORT TITLE: PROPOSER: TOPIC: Create Task Force on the Theology of Social Justice Advocacy as Christian Justice
More informationThe Inter-Anglican Standing Commission for Ecumenical Relations
IASCER Resolutions arising from the 2005 meeting Resolution 1.05: The Windsor Report reaffirms its statement of December 2004 (appended below) re-emphasizes the value and significance of The Windsor Report
More informationFrom the ELCA s Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice
From the ELCA s Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice NOTE: This document includes only the Core Convictions, Analysis of Patriarchy and Sexism, Resources for Resisting Patriarchy and Sexism, and
More informationKnights of Columbus. It s Time now for The. To Disarm.
It s Time now for The Knights of Columbus To Disarm. The Lord has entrusted to the Church a mission to heal and to reveal the healing power of peace and nonviolence, as an integral part of her mission
More informationGrants for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults
Grants for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults Deadline: Thursday, April 30, 2015, by 4 pm Return application to: ATTN: PGA Council Grants Committee Presbytery of Greater Atlanta 1024 Ponce de Leon
More informationA TIME FOR RECOMMITMENT BUILDING THE NEW RELAT IONSHIP BETWEEN JEWS AND CHRISTIANS
A TIME FOR RECOMMITMENT BUILDING THE NEW RELAT IONSHIP BETWEEN JEWS AND CHRISTIANS In the summer of 1947, 65 Jews and Christians from 19 countries gathered in Seelisberg, Switzerland. They came together
More informationCompassion, Peace and Justice The August 2010 Survey
Compassion, Peace and Justice The August 2010 Survey Table of Contents OVERVIEW... i HIGHLIGHTS... iii IMPORTANCE OF THE MINISTRIES WORK... 1 Importance of Types of Mission... 1 Compassion, Peace and Justice
More informationITEM P.002 FOR ACTION
ITEM P.002 FOR ACTION FOR PRESBYTERIAN MISSION AGENCY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR S OFFICE USE ONLY A. Audit E. Executive Committee I. Ministerial Teams B. Personnel & Nominating F. Resource Allocation & Stewardship
More informationBy the Faith and Order Board of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Member churches of the World Council of Churches have committed themselves to:
Response to Growth in Communion, Partnership in Mission By the Faith and Order Board of the Scottish Episcopal Church May 2016 Common Calling Member churches of the World Council of Churches have committed
More informationThe Narrow Path: From Just War to Nonviolence
B O S T O N C O L L E G E BOISI CENTER FOR RELIGION AND AMERICAN PUBLIC LIFE The Narrow Path: From Just War to Nonviolence DREW CHRISTIANSEN, S.J. VISITING PROFESSOR AT THE BOSTON COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF
More informationShould the Belhar Confession be Included in the Book of Confessions? John P. Burgess. March 26, 2011
Should the Belhar Confession be Included in the Book of Confessions? John P. Burgess March 26, 2011 In this presentation, I will offer some brief considerations on: (1) the historical backdrop to the Belhar
More informationIn the Name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
1 In the Name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are joined this morning by distinguished religious leaders and theologians of The International Commission of Anglican-Orthodox Theological Dialogue,
More informationMotion from the Right Relationship Monitoring Committee for the UUA Board of Trustees meeting January 2012
Motion from the Right Relationship Monitoring Committee for the UUA Board of Trustees meeting January 2012 Moved: That the following section entitled Report from the Board on the Doctrine of Discovery
More informationStatement Of Christian Conviction
93- GS- 33 VOTED: STATEMENT OF CHRISTIAN CONVICTION OF THE PROPOSED PRONOUNCEMENT CALLING THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST TO BE A MULTIRACIAL AND MULTICULTURAL CHURCH Statement Of Christian Conviction The
More informationChristian Training Center of Branch of the Lord
Christian Training Center of Branch of the Lord Presents a vast study of the Bible and Christianity through the course materials provided in partnership with: HARVESTIME INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE This course
More informationPublished by Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
KATIE S FUND: A SKIT Published by Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Revised August 2014 [The script calls for two actors to play the roles of Host and Katie.] Hello. I'm here today to
More informationRelocation as a Response to Persecution RLP Policy and Commitment
Relocation as a Response to Persecution RLP Policy and Commitment Initially adopted by the Religious Liberty Partnership in March 2011; modified and reaffirmed in March 2013; modified and reaffirmed, April
More informationGod s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action
God s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action A Pastoral Letter from the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church 1 God s creation is in crisis. We, the Bishops of The United Methodist Church,
More informationDeeper Communion; Gracious Restraint A Letter from Alexandria to the Churches of the Anglican Communion
Deeper Communion; Gracious Restraint A Letter from Alexandria to the Churches of the Anglican Communion 1. At the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, as the Primates and Moderators of the Churches
More informationHouse of Bishops Pastoral Guidance on Same Sex Marriage. To the Clergy and People of the Church of England. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ
House of Bishops Pastoral Guidance on Same Sex Marriage To the Clergy and People of the Church of England Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ We write as fellow disciples of Jesus Christ who are called
More informationDoug Swanney Connexional Secretary Graeme Hodge CEO of All We Can
Framework of Commitment with All We Can Contact Name and Details Status of Paper Action Required Resolution Doug Swanney Connexional Secretary swanneyd@methodistchurch.org.uk Graeme Hodge CEO of All We
More informationJust War, Pacifism, and Just Peacemaking for the 21 st Century
Just War, Pacifism, and Just Peacemaking for the 21 st Century Overview of the Week: Yesterday: Just War Thinking Today: Pacifism and Just Peacemaking Thursday: Contemporary Challenges to the Three Traditions:
More informationReflections on the Theological and Ecclesiological Implications of the Adoption or Non- Adoption of the Anglican Communion Covenant
FWM Report to CoGS November 2012 Appendix 1 Reflections on the Theological and Ecclesiological Implications of the Adoption or Non- Adoption of the Anglican Communion Covenant October 28, 2012 General
More informationorder of service What does God require of us? (based on Micah 6:6-8) rcav.org/christianunity
order of service What does God require of us? (based on Micah 6:6-8) 47 Queen s Park Crescent East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2C3 Tel: 416-972-9494 1-866-822-7645 Fax: 416-927-0405 Email/Courriel :
More informationN a. Friday
N. 180622a Friday 22.06.2018 Press Conference of the Holy Father on the return flight from his Ecumenical Pilgrimage to Geneva for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the World Council of Churches
More informationTOOLKIT for MCC CHURCHES Hosting the PULSE Memorial Service on 12 June 2017
1 TOOLKIT for MCC CHURCHES Hosting the PULSE Memorial Service on 12 June 2017 7 June 2017 Thank you for taking a leadership role in hosting a PULSE Memorial Service to commemorate the lives lost and recommit
More informationTWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A5. Call on the Father of truth and kindness, who answers every prayer:
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A5 Call on the Father of truth and kindness, who answers every prayer: Deacon/Cantor/Lector For Francis, the Vicar of Christ, and his brother bishops, priests, and
More informationv o i c e A Document for Dialogue and Study Report of the Task Force on Human Sexuality The Alliance of Baptists
The Alliance of Baptists Aclear v o i c e A Document for Dialogue and Study The Alliance of Baptists 1328 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 Telephone: 202.745.7609 Toll-free: 866.745.7609 Fax: 202.745.0023
More informationOur Statement of Purpose
Strategic Framework 2008-2010 Our Statement of Purpose UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania is integral to the ministry of the church, sharing in the vision and mission of God - seeking to address injustice,
More informationMartin Luther King, Jr. By USHistory.org 2016
Name: Class: Martin Luther King, Jr. By USHistory.org 2016 Martin Luther King, Jr. was an integral part of the Civil Rights Movement, a social movement in the United States that worked to end racial segregation
More informationNew York School of Ministry An Ecumenical, Educational Program of the NY Conference of the UCC
New York School of Ministry An Ecumenical, Educational Program of the NY Conference of the UCC Supervised Ministry Supervised Ministry is an opportunity for certificate program participants to reflect
More informationAuthority in the Anglican Communion
Authority in the Anglican Communion AUTHORITY IN THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION by The Rev. Canon Dr. Alyson Barnett-Cowan For the purposes of this article, I am going to speak about how the churches of the Anglican
More informationPeace Education: An Overview of the Rationale, Content & Process
Peace Education: An Overview of the Rationale, Content & Process Developing Peacebuilders through Peace Education & Advocacy INSA Jasmin Nario-Galace Center for Peace Education, Miriam College jgalace@mc.edu.ph
More informationPrayer Service for Peace and Nonviolence On the 100 th Anniversary of Armistice Day, November 2018
Prayer Service for Peace and Nonviolence On the 100 th Anniversary of Armistice Day, November 2018 Armistice Day note by Camillo Mac Bica, September 30, 2018, from Common Dreams Following World War One,
More informationpray us WITH 28 DAYS OF PRAYER
pray us WITH 28 DAYS OF PRAYER day 1 Bibleless People day 2 Bible Translators People from 1,575 language groups have no access to Scripture. Ask God to give hope to those still waiting to read Scripture
More informationHispanic Mennonites in North America
Hispanic Mennonites in North America Gilberto Flores Rafael Falcon, author of a history of Hispanic Mennonites in North America until 1982, wrote of the origins of the Hispanic Mennonite Church. Falcon
More informationPraying the Liturgy in the Face of Violence. Bradley A. Zamora
By addressing recent tragic events, the homily can help the assembly unite with those who are grieving and afflicted. Praying the Liturgy in the Face of Violence Bradley A. Zamora On the fiftieth anniversary
More informationReview of the Book of Confessions: Creeds and Confessions, Ancient and Modern
Review of the Book of Confessions: Creeds and Confessions, Ancient and Modern The Book of Confessions has two purposes for Presbyterian leaders. First, it helps us to interpret the Bible. We are not the
More informationHow to spend an hour in prayer: One hour prayer outlines
SECTION 6 How to spend an hour in prayer: One hour prayer outlines 6.1 Model 1: Seek My Face 6.2 Model 2: The hour that changes the world Included are two guidelines or prayer models on how to fill an
More informationFOR A COMMEMORATION OF THE
A SERVICE OF THE WORD FOR A COMMEMORATION OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR IN A LOCAL CHURCH Remembering World War I: The number of events to commemorate multiplies for the years 2014-2018. Understandably, much
More informationCatholic Bible Institute Sept. 7, 2013 Opening Prayer
Catholic Bible Institute Sept. 7, 2013 Opening Prayer Hymn: Prayer of St. Francis ( Make Me a Channel of Your Peace Sebastian Temple) First Reading (from the Angelus Address of Pope Francis, of Sept. 1,
More informationPeace. Assessment Statements
I am free from anxiety because things are right between God, myself, and others. Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
More informationEVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA DECISION OF THE DISCIPLINE HEARING COMMITTEE
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA In the Matter of Disciplinary * Proceedings Against the Rev. * Bradley E. Schmeling * DECISION OF THE DISCIPLINE HEARING COMMITTEE On August 8, 2006, Bishop Ronald
More informationMinistries and Mission Interpretation Handbook
Ministries and Mission Interpretation Handbook Table of Contents Module 1 Introducing Ministries and Mission Interpreters - MMI Module 2 Learning the Basics - Global Ministries 101 Module 3 Growing in
More informationDAVID J. BOSCH, THE KOREAN CHURCH AND WORLD MISSION
DAVID J. BOSCH, THE KOREAN CHURCH AND WORLD MISSION Young-Whan Park I. Introduction - The Past and Present of Korean World Mission Various mission theologies provided the background to the rapid progress
More informationLet no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (NRSV) In this special edition of World Church News, our focus is on
More informationWorld Union of Catholic Women s Organisations WUCWO DAY 13 May 2018 Prepared by WUCWO Asia Pacific Region
World Union of Catholic Women s Organisations WUCWO DAY 13 May 2018 Prepared by WUCWO Asia Pacific Region With Contributions from Australia, Lebanon and Philippines HYMN: Immaculate Mary, thy praises we
More informationShort Term Teams 2019 Unleashing Hope for the Most Vulnerable
Short Term Teams 2019 Unleashing Hope for the Most Vulnerable SPRING SPAIN Service Trip February 2019 (2 weeks) Do you enjoy working with your hands and completing projects? This team will help increase
More informationPWRDF Partnership Policy Final INTRODUCTION
PWRDF Partnership Policy Final INTRODUCTION To look outward is to acknowledge that the horizons of God are broad and wide When we reach out, it is to try and grasp God s leading and direction as well as
More informationCovenant Mission & Ministry Making a difference REAL PEOPLE. REAL PLACES. REAL IMPACT.
Covenant Mission & Ministry 2012 Making a difference REAL PEOPLE. REAL PLACES. REAL IMPACT. Greetings in the name of our Lord! These are important days of partnership among our more than 800 congregations
More informationPoor People s Campaign
Poor People s Campaign Disciples Liturgical Tool Kit Trinity Sunday First Sunday After Pentecost May 27, 2018 A group of Disciples are working together to provide liturgical resources for our congregations
More information