Campaign Home Page

Why Iraq?

Traveling to Iraq: Dec. 2001 Delegation

What about a humanitarian crisis?

Why should we care? The role of the US.

What can I do? What can we do?

The relationship of North American Christians with our brothers and sisters in Iraq is complex and full of political landmines. Still there may be ways to tread boldly and faithfully in Christ's way. And all of us stand to gain new life by boldly following Jesus in this time of global crisis. Here are some ways that members of the delegation have discerned:

Get Down on Our Knees to Pray

In the humility of our own brokenness, we can pray for the people of Iraq suffering under sanctions, war and dictatorship.

We can pray for ourselves, the people of the U.S. with all our material privileges and oil-consuming practices.

We can pray for leaders of all nations who make decisions that affect the lives of millions of others in North America and the Middle East.

Join a Church of the Brethren Network Bridging these Two Worlds

Stay informed, discuss with other concerned Christians and learn about opportunities for action through the Church of the Brethren Iraq Advocacy Network (COBIAN). Follow this link to the COBIAN IraqNet listserv and get connected with other concerned brothers and sisters.

Invite a Speaker to your Congregation or Community Meeting

Members of the delegation can speak with an inside perspective about what they saw in Iraq, what Iraqi people are really like and what might be our response to belligerent U.S. policies. See the COBIAN Speakers Bureau page or contact Chris Fitz at cfitz@hampshire.edu to arrange a speaker in your area.

Give to the Global Food Crisis Fund

The Global Food Crisis Fund has begun a project for mother and infant nutrition inside Iraq. In partnership with the World Council of Churches and UNICEF, the Church of the Brethren seeks to be part of the solution by building economic bridges between the U.S. and Iraq, and in so doing, help to heal the hurt of war and embargo. Click here for more information about the Global Food Crisis Fund... and see how you can be part of the solution.

Dale Brown, retired professor from Elizabethtown, PA, lifts up the images of two Iraqis met by our December delegation to Iraq. Brown and 200 others participated in a public vigil in Louisville, Kentucky at the Church of the Brethren annual conference.

Organize a Local Act of Public Witness

Publicly lifting up the people of Iraq in prayer can be a bold act of proclaiming the Gospel in our time - and in our communities. Given current rhetoric by leaders in our government calling for massive use of violence against Iraq, this act could save tens of thousands of lives. Contact Matt Guynn at On Earth Peace to find out how you can be part of affinity groups that together in Christ, could stop a war.

Sign the Peace Pledge and Consider Joining Other Groups Too

The Iraq Peace Pledge campaign is a broad-based inter-faith movement for peace in Iraq. It is trying to end the U.S.-led economic and military war by publicly opposing that war and coordinating U.S. grassroots efforts for peace. Go to the Peace Pledge website at www.peacepledge.org and pledge for peace online or download other versions of the pledge to distribute in your community.

This site also provides a vivid of example of the growing number of people and organizations calling for peace and diplomacy between the U.S. and Iraq, including the American Friends Service Committee, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the Mennonite Central Committee, Pax Christi USA, the Education for Peace in Iraq Center and Voices in the Wilderness.