"Witness" in the Christian tradition includes many forms of proclamation. As Christians who see peace as an integral part of the message Jesus brought, we feel called to bring a concern for peace and nonviolence into the world.

We do this in the larger context of working toward the kin-dom, the kingdom of God, what Martin Luther King, Jr., called the "Beloved Community;" through reconciliation and one-on-one encounter and more organized public group action. Here are some ideas for you to take and run with.

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Use "Conversation Cards": Since September 11, many have found it difficult to publicly stand up as pacifists and people who love our enemies. These cards (the size of a normal business card) provide a simple way to bring your peace commitment into your every day interactions. Consider leaving them with the tip in a restaurant, giving them to folks you interact with, etc. There are several varieties. Click here to see sample text, and download them.

Hang Banners: A culture of banners has sprung up since September 11 and October 7, but most of them bear messages about a tribal god different than the Divine we know. Some members of the Church of the Brethren and friends have experimented with hanging alternate banners from highway overpasses. Click here for pictures and more information.

A Sunday morning prayer walk: Some upcoming Sunday morning, think of a public walk through your hometown, silently bearing witness and seeking a rejuvenation of the nonviolent imagination of God's people. Sound like something you want to consider? Click here!

Get a Bumpersticker: On Earth Peace has available a simple white bumpersticker which features the scripture text, "Seek Peace, and pursue it – Psalm 34:14" along with the blue On Earth Peace dove/globe logo. To request a bumpersticker, contact Darlene Johnson at djohnson_oepa@brethren.org or 1-410-634-8704.

Design a Poster Campaign: Click here for tips!

Design a Billboard Campaign: Click here for tips!

Commission a delegation from your congregation: Your congregation might commission a delegation to attend the upcoming Organizing for Peace conference, March 15-17, 2002, in North Manchester, Indiana. Click here!

Consider sending a small group from your church on a Faith Expedition from the Brethren Witness Office (upcoming opportunities to the Honduras, Guatemala, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and Nicaragua). Click here!

Consider participating in a short-term delegation organized by Christian Peacemaker Teams, to Colombia, the Middle East, Puerto Rico, or Mexico. Click here!.

Organize an action/reflection "Affinity Group" in your local community: An "Affinity Group" or action-reflection group gathers regularly to share their perceptions about the world, examine possible responses, and plan for next steps in their community. Click here for tips on how to organize an Affinity (action/reflection) group in your local community. Click here!


Last Updated: March 19, 2002