Lutheran Peace Fellowship

Sowing Seeds of Peace
"And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" - James 3:18

November 14, 2006
A Publication of Lutheran Peace Fellowship
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Welcome

"Blessed are the wealthy…Blessed are the violent…Blessed are the war-makers…" For years, now, this has been the most visible message of people who are both religious and active in politics. However, there is a very different message proclaimed in the Bible – one that is being reclaimed by faithful people across the United States.

On November 1st, I attended the public launch of "Kairos: A Time to Speak, A Time to Act" in Seattle. At the launch, over 150 religious leaders and laypeople joined together to bring our faith into action – a faith rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and proclaiming a gospel of shalom including peace, nonviolence, wholeness, community, and respect. Though the idea was nothing new to many of us in attendance, four TV stations and two newspapers covered the event; to many people, it seems, the idea of acting in faith together on values other than abortion and same-sex marriage was a novel concept.

On November 7, many other Americans helped show that faithful people can, and should, be opposed to acts of violence. With Democrats retaking Congress, there is renewed hope that our leaders can work together in a vision of shalom, bringing peace not only to the world, but to our nation as well.

The exciting events of the past couple of weeks are, however, only the beginning. As Christians we are called to be peacemakers, to love our neighbors and our enemies, to help bring wholeness to our world through our faith and actions. Many of us could benefit from sitting by idly, relishing in our good luck; instead, let us continue striving for a world where the vision of shalom is a reality. Also, let us remember the true teachings of Jesus:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth…Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy…Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" – Matthew 5: 3, 5, 7, & 9

–Allyson Fredericksen, LPF Youth Trainer and Program Coordinator
If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for future issues, e-mail me at lpfyouth@gmail.com. Also, if you are on myspace, join our myspace group at www.groups.myspace.com/lutheranpeace

For more information on Kairos: A Time to Speak, A Time to Act, visit www.KairosAction.org


Workshops Available!

Are you interested in hosting an LPF workshop? This year, we are offering workshops on the following:

- From Violence to Wholeness
- Christian Peacemaking
- Hunger and Conflict
- Cycles of Violence and Nonviolence
- How to Be a Bridge in a World Full of Walls
- Breaking the Silence: A Christian Response to Domestic Abuse
- Leadership Training for Peacemakers

Each workshop is highly participatory and activity-based, helping participants gain insight by doing, not only by hearing or reading. If you or someone you know are interested, email me at lpfyouth@gmail.com or call the LPF office at 206-720-0313 (voice mail #2).


News Articles on Peace and Justice

Luther King Memorial Work Begins: "US President George W Bush was among speakers at a ceremony marking the start of work on a US national memorial to Martin Luther King." For the complete article, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6144774.stm For the CNN article on the same topic, visit http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/13/king.memorial/index.html

Two UN peacekeepers die in Haiti: "Two Jordanian UN peacekeepers have been shot dead in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, UN officials say." For the complete article, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6139596.stm


Lutheran Peace Fellowship Events

November 17 & 18th: Jesus' Way of Shalom. This workshop is designed to share the skills and insights of biblical peacemaking, conflict transformation, and leadership. The sessions feature lively and engaging activities, audiovisuals, and resources to take back and use in your own congregation. They have been tested and refined in over 50 intensive and 400 shorter workshops across the country. The free intro session is Friday evening at 6:45 pm. Those who wish a broader experience can come to the all-day session on Saturday from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Both at Central Lutheran Church, 1710 11th Ave., Seattle (one block east of Broadway, one block north of Pine), free parking. Thanks to grant and member support, 4/5 of workshop costs are covered, so registration is just $8 to $15 per person, sliding scale, and scholarship help is available. For more information, go to www.LutheranPeace.org or call 206.720.0313. For more information or to find out about signing up for the event, email us at lpfyouth@gmail.com

Ongoing: Together, We Can Help Bring Peace: Volunteer with Lutheran Peace Fellowship! Are you interested in helping to bring peace to our world? At Lutheran Peace Fellowship we have many ways to help you help us bring about peace. From updating our website to helping with mailings, gathering information about peace and justice issues to helping plan a workshop, there's something for everyone! To find out how you can help, call Allyson or Glen at (206) 720-0313 or email lpfyouth@gmail.com. For more information on Lutheran Peace Fellowship, visit our website at www.lutheranpeace.org

Advocacy Alerts

Close the School of the Americas: "The School of the Americas (SOA) - renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation in 2001 - is a combat training school for Latin American soldiers located at Fort Benning, Georgia. During its 56 years of existence, the SOA has used U.S. tax dollars to train more than 60,000 Latin American soldiers in counterinsurgency techniques, sniper training, commando and psychological warfare, military intelligence and interrogation tactics. These graduates have consistently used their skills to wage war against their own countries' civilians." For more information, visit http://go.sojo.net/campaign/05_close_the_SOA

Words, Not War, With Iran: "As violence continues to rage in Iraq, and now in Lebanon and Gaza, a new confrontation is looming with neighboring Iran. Talk has increased of possible military attack against Iran to halt its nuclear program and support for Hezbollah. While we agree Iran should not support terrorism or obtain nuclear weapons, we come together as religious leaders to urge that the U.S. engage in direct negotiations with Iran as an alternative to military action in resolving the crisis." For more information, visit http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=action.wnw&item=wnw_main

Justice in the Gulf Coast: While the federal government neglects its responsibilities, grassroots groups rooted in the Gulf Coast's African-American communities have launched efforts to rebuild the Gulf Coast from the ground up. For information on how you can be a part of restoring and rebuilding the Gulf Coast, visit http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3103

ONE Campaign: In today's world, too often wealthy nations focus on war and acts of terrorism and neglect the fact that poverty, hunger, and disease are running rampant; however, this can change. Join the ONE campaign today and urge the United States government to use our resources to help turn the tide against hunger, poverty, and disease. For action ideas and to learn more, see www.elca.org/advocacy/one and www.bread.org

Million Voices for Darfur: "Nearly three years into the crisis, the western Sudanese region of Darfur is acknowledged to be a humanitarian and human rights tragedy of the first order. The humanitarian, security and political situation continue to deteriorate: atrocities continue, people are still dying in large numbers of malnutrition and disease, and a new famine is feared. According to reports by the World Food Program, the United Nations and the Coalition for International Justice, 3.5 million people are now hungry, 2.5 million have been displaced due to violence, and 400,000 people have died in Darfur thus far." Sign on to urge President Bush to stop ignoring this genocide and to help bring an end to the violence in Darfur. http://www.savedarfur.org /splash.php

For more ideas, visit http://www.unitedforpeace.org and www.sojourners.com

LPF Resources

Budget Priorities Computer Activity 2006: As the war continues in Iraq, just how much of the US budget is being spent on military expenditures and how much for programs like the Peace Corps and other peacemaking initiatives? LPF's widely-praised Budget Priorities activity examines how the US budget it spent and explores the question "What Really Brings Security?" through vivid graphics and informative activities. The resource guide is available via our website at www.LutheranPeace.org; the CD computer activity is available for $10 ($4-$8 for LPF members). To order your copy, email lpf@ecunet.org or call (206) 720-0313.

Community News

Seattle, WA – Kairos: A Time to Speak, A Time to Act (November 14): Join us as we discern the next steps to act out our faith toward a vision of shalom. 7:00pm at Keystone UCC, 5019 Keystone Pl N, Seattle, WA. For More information, email info@kairosaction.org.

Seattle, WA – Turkey Trot For a Better World (November 24): Fight World Hunger & Support Lutheran Volunteer Corps. On Thanksgiving Day, many gather around the table for a traditional turkey dinner. On Friday, November 24th (the day after Thanksgiving), everyone is invited to join in another tradition: the 7th Annual Turkey Trot for World Hunger.

Participants will meet at Greenlake Aqua Theatre at 8:30am for registration. After a brief program, "trotters" will walk, stroll, jog, skip, scooter, rollerblade, push strollers and wheelchairs, or pedal around Greenlake to raise money in the fight against hunger.

50% of the money raised will be donated to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal and 50% will be given to the local Seattle Chapter of the Lutheran Volunteer Corps in its work for a more just world.

Three stations will entice and enthuse you as you trot around the lake. You may even earn prizes if you visit all of them!

-Learn more about ways to end world hunger!

-Learn more about Lutheran Volunteer Corps- who are we? What do we do? How can you partner with us?

- And, learn about alternatives to buying gifts from shopping malls- Alternative Gift Markets and Buy Nothing Day are ways to address global issues economically, spiritually and justly for all members of our planetary family! For more information on the Turkey Trot, email Lisa Bakke at pugetsound@lutheranvolunteercorps.org

Chicago, IL - LSTC Hosts Chicago Premiere of "Jews of Luthertown Wittenberg in the Third Reich" (October 23-November 29)

Luther's own writings on Jews assisted Hitler's National-Socialists of Germany to gain control of German churches in 1933. "Jews of Luthertown Wittenberg in the Third Reich" bears witness in artifacts and photographs, to the life and systematic destruction of Jews living in Wittenberg from 1933-1945. The free exhibit, in its Chicago premiere in the Grand Hallway at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) from October 23 – November 29, 2006, hopes to increase understanding and healing. The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago is at 1100 East 55th Street, Chicago.

Exhibit-related events include:

Exhibit Opening Reception hosted by the German Consulate of Chicago on Wednesday, October 25 from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., LSTC, Grand Hallway. Remarks by the Exhibit Co-Sponsors, "Remembering Lives: The Jews of Luthertown Wittenberg in the Third Reich," will be presented at 8:00 p.m.

Jewish-Christian Seminar, "Jews and Christians: Germany and Chicago" - Lecture by the Rev. Albrecht Steinhäuser (Director of Communication, Church of Saxony) with remarks by Rabbi Elliot Gertel (Congregation Rodfei Zedek, Chicago) and the Rev. Dr. Terrence Baeder (Zion Lutheran Church, Tinley Park, Ill.), on Tuesday, October 31, 2006, at 7:30 p.m., in the LSTC, Common Room. The exhibit is open before and after the event.

Thursday, November 9, 2006, LSTC and McCormick Theological Seminary hold a Kristallnacht Remembrance and Commitment Service at 11:00 a.m. in LSTC's Augustana Chapel, followed by a panel discussion, "What Can the Barmen Declaration Teach Us Today?" with Ms. Victoria Barnett ( U.S. Holocaust Museum), Dr. Robert Cathey (McCormick Theological Seminary), Dr. Kurt Hendel (LSTC), Dr. Vitor Westhelle (LSTC) at 12:00 noon in the LSTC Common Room.

At 7:30 p.m. on November 9, 2006, Ms. Victoria Barnett (U.S. Holocaust Museum), will deliver the lecture, "Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Legacy in a Post-Holocaust World" in LSTC's Common Room. The exhibit will be open before and after the event. All events are free and open to the public.

For more information about the exhibit, contact Rob Saler, Assistant Exhibit Coordinator, at 773-909-4984 or rsaler@lstc.edu.

Olympia, WA – Lutheran Advocacy Day (February 27): $15 registration fee includes advocacy toolkit and lunch. Registration materials will be available January 1st, 2007. For more information, contact David Coombs or Nick Barootian at (206) 464-4133 or email davidrcoombs@gmail.com


Spiritual Reflection

In the recent election, many are finding a sense of peace and a sense of hope that the vision of shalom may one day be realized. In reading the following prayers, borrowed from Life Prayers From Around the World , let us remember that now is a time for us to be joyful, but also a time for us to work evermore toward a vision of community, wholeness, respect, and peace.

"The prayers and poems in this chapter encourage us to stretch our hearts to embrace more of this world. They call us to stand beside the wounded and the defenseless, to acknowledge those whoa re despised or ostracized, and to open our hearts in solidarity. This is not just a political agenda – it is central to the meaning of our lives. What the world needs most is people who are less constricted by prejudice. It needs more love, more generosity, more mercy, and more openness. We are meant to be brothers and sisters, a family of nations." – from the forward to the chapter "Prayers for Solidarity and Justice"

We are the gernation that stands between the fires:
Behind us the flame and smoke
That rose from Auschwitz and from Hiroshima;
Before us the nightmare of a Flood of Fire,
The flame and smoke that consume all Earth.
It is our task to make from firenot an all-consuming blaze
But the light in which we see each other fully.
All of us different,
All of us bearing One Spark.
We light these firest to see more clearly
That the Earth and all who live as part of it
Are not for burning.
We light these fires to see more clearly
The rainbow in our many-colored faces.

Blessed is the One within the many.
Blessed are the Many who make one.
- Arthur Waskow

O God, our Father and Mother,
We confess today that your own sons and daughters in Christ have let you down.
Dominated by our fears,
We have trampled and smothered one another.
We have smothered the tenderness of man;
We have smothered the creative thinking of women.
Help women to discover honest and life-giving relationships;
Help men to open their hearts to each other in friendship;
Help us to create a community of brothers and sisters,
Where we can live with each other in creative community
Man with man
Woman with woman
Man with woman. Amen.
- Kerstin Lindqvist and Ulla Bardh

The time for healing of the wounds has come.
The time to build is upon us…
We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people
From the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation,
Suffering, gender and other discrimination…
There is no easy road to freedom…
None of us acting alone can achieve success.
We must therefore act tgether as a united people,
For reconciliation, for nation building,
For the birth of a new world.
- Nelson Mandela