Practical Ideas for a Living Peace Church
PRAYER
Ecumenical Prayer Meeting
While we may disagree on war and peace issues, one thing all congregations believe in, no matter what denomination they belong to, is prayer. Several local congregations could come together to pray for peace, and for the safety of those involved in the war. This could begin with just a few people from each church, to build trust, then grow larger.
Noon Prayers
In one Brethren congregation, a small group gathered every Wednesday at noon, spent a half hour in silence and prayer together, then shared a simple lunch. The meal could be simply soup and bread, or each person could bring a sack lunch.
Prayer and Faxing
The concept is simple: interested persons meet for a time of prayer together, and then each writes one or more letters to Congresspersons or other policymakers, which are faxed to the intended recipients. If the church has a fax, you’re all set. If not, someone can take the letters to a public or personal fax machine. Faxes are better than posted letters, since paper mail to the US government is held up for weeks for anthrax testing. Handwritten letters are fine – perhaps better than typed.
Public Prayer
Many congregations, often in cooperation with other concerned persons, have held prayer vigils on a downtown street corner or other public place. Sometimes there are spoken prayers and a simple worship service, sometimes just silence. A few well-made signs will communicate the purpose to passers-by.
STUDY
Bible Study
Return to the source. There are many bible study guides available, but another option is just to read one of the gospels through. You could take turns reading it in one sitting without discussion, and just listen for the story and images, or take several sessions to look deeper. Look for the ways Jesus did peacemaking, prevented violence, or taught reconciliation.
Book Study
Many congregations have held a short-term study (meeting weekly for four to six weeks) on a particular book related to peace and reconciliation. This can also be during the Sunday School hour. Many excellent books are available; contact On Earth Peace or Brethren Witness/Washington Office for suggestions. Two excellent booklets which include study questions are: Enemylove by Matt Guynn, available from On Earth Peace, and Waging Peace by Audrey Mazur and David Radcliff, from the BW/WO at 202-546-3202.
WITNESS
Give a Peacemaker Award
A Pennsylvania congregation had the idea of offering “Peacemaker of the Year” award to a graduating senior in the local high school. The award carried a $500 college scholarship. So on the annual awards night, the witness of the Church of the Brethren was quietly made through sponsoring and personally awarding this scholarship. It worked so well that they have decided to give awards in another school. Other congregations have now adopted the idea.
Participate with Christian Peacemaker Teams
Get on the CPT mailing list to learn of this violence-reduction initiative. Your church can sponsor a Palestinian family in danger of losing their home, through the Campaign for Secure Dwellings, or adopt a detainee in Iraq. You can join a delegation to Columbia, Palestine, Iraq or other violence-ridden areas. Contact CPT at peacemakers@cpt.org or 773-277-0253.
Donate Peace Books to the School or Public Library
One Brethren couple offered $200 to the school librarian to purchase books on peace. The librarian used their gift as leverage and obtained $2000 from a foundation, with which she bought 250 peace books for the high school library!
Show Concern for Persons in the Military
Because we believe war is wrong, it is often assumed that we don’t care about persons in the military. This is a serious misunderstanding, and has caused unnecessary barriers in our communities. One congregation in Indiana offered to provide childcare for the weekly support group meeting of families with loved ones who had been called up for active military service. The offer was gratefully accepted, and bridges were built. For more ideas, see the Fall 2004 issue of the On Earth Peace newsletter.
Subscribe to the Peace Witness Action List
On Earth Peace sends information about peace witness examples and opportunities to an email list of several hundred Brethren and others. You can sign up by visiting our Sign Up page.
Many more ideas are available from On Earth Peace.
A series of five newsletter issues is focused on practical resources and ideas for congregations, as we all respond to the call from Annual Conference to be a Living Peace Church. The series began with the Fall 2003 issue, and ended with the Winter 2004/2005 newsletter. If you are not receiving this newsletter currently, contact us for copies.
Contact us for more information on these and other ideas.
And tell us your ideas, too!
On Earth Peace
PO Box 188, New Windsor, MD 21776-0188
410-635-8704
oepa_oepa@brethren.org
