Lutheran Peace Fellowship

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

March 27, 2007
A Publication of Lutheran Peace Fellowship
please share with others who might like to see this!

Welcome

On March 16, something interesting happened. Christians from 48 states flocked to Washington, DC, to participate in Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, some facing tremendous hurdles just to arrive in DC. Despite a day filled with rain, sleet, and eventually snow, we went to workshops, filled the National Cathedral with peace-centered worship, walked nearly 4 miles to the White House, and circled the White House with light as others performed acts of civil disobedience. For such an amazing event (which it was), why, then, do I only call it interesting?

Despite being something different – a distinctly Christian response to the war in Iraq – Christian Peace Witness for Iraq was barely a blip on the radar of most of the country’s media, with people all over the US not having any idea that it happened at all. Yes, there were some news stories and there are even some news clips posted on YouTube for anyone to see, but none of those are going to mean much unless those who were there as well as those who prayed for peace or participated in events in other parts of the country do something to help the rest of the nation know that something indeed is still happening.

That word “unless” is so important. Christian Peace Witness for Iraq truly was a powerful event, but it will remain unseen unless we continue the call to make a Christian voice of peace heard in the United States. Violent weapons will continue to be the focus of our nation’s security strategy unless we, as people of faith, urge our government to consider how looking at root causes of violence such as extreme hunger and poverty also affect our security. Thousands upon thousands of people will die in wars and other bloody conflicts unless we help ourselves and our government to understand the power of nonviolence.

It is all too easy to pray for peace only when prompted by anniversaries of war, acts of terrorism, or when we get that handy e-mail reminder. Even those of us who marched in the snow to the White House can too easily find ourselves back in the habits of our “normal” lives, nearly forgetting that the call for peace is not a call that stops once we board a plane home, but is a call that continues throughout our lives. Jesus calls us to a vision of shalom, and we are called to bring that vision of wholeness, community, peace, respect, and justice to the world every day.

–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

If you have a story from Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, or other stories of your commitment to pursuing peace in our world, please send them in. We are still hoping to send out an edition of the E-News with your stories; email submissions to lpfyouth@gmail.com.

Issue Highlights:

- Workshops Available – Bring Peace and Justice to your community!

- News Articles on Peace and Justice – Get the latest on issues of peace and justice around the globe!

- Advocacy Alerts - Find out how you can get involved in putting an end to the Darfur conflict, raising the minimum wage in the US, and helping put an end to world hunger!

- Community News – Equipping for Peacemaking II, A Week of Events for Darfur, and more!

- Spiritual Reflection – Prayers for the people in the Middle East!

Workshops Available!

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

- Cycles of Violence and Nonviolence
- Christian Peacemaking
- From Violence to Wholeness
- Hunger and Conflict
- 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. We can also help your group plan and lead successful activities or workshops on these and other topics. If you or someone you know are interested, email me at lpfyouth@gmail.com or call the LPF office at 206-720-0313.

News Articles on Peace and Justice

North Korea Facing 1 Million Ton Food Shortage: North Korea has admitted for the first time to food shortages of a million tonnes, the World Food Programme said on Monday, adding that in the absence of better donor support, millions are vulnerable to hunger. For the complete story, visit http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/PEK169861.htm

Israel, Palestinian Leaders Agree to Regular Talks: Israeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed to hold confidence-building talks every two weeks that could eventually lead to discussions on a Palestinian state, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Tuesday. For more on this, visit http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L271183782.htm

UN Highlights Human Trafficking: The UN has launched a campaign to highlight human trafficking, an issue it says has reached epidemic proportions over the past decade. For more details, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/6497799.stm

Peace Department Proposal Rattles Small Town: To the members of a women's group in Fairmont, Minn., it seemed like a simple idea: The United States has a Department of State, which promotes America's interests overseas. And it also has a Department of Defense, which fights for them. So why not create a Department of Peace, to promote creative ways to avoid conflicts? For the whole story, visit http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9083208&sc=emaf

For more news articles on peace and justice, visit www.alertnet.org

Advocacy Alerts

A Week of Events for Darfur: Activists across the world have come together to plan "Global Days for Darfur" - a week of rallies, marches, vigils and other events designed to make it clear that "time has run out" for the people of Darfur. Will you please join us and thousands of committed Darfur activists the week of April 23rd - 30^th? We must call attention to the escalating violence and the continued failure of the international community to adequately respond to this crisis. To find an event near you or on information for creating your own event, as well as details on the ongoing crisis in Darfur, visit www.savedarfur.org

Make Work “Work:” Increase Minimum Wage: Work must "work" for families, and increasing the minimum wage can help. The House has done its part by passing a bill to increase the minimum wage, and now the issue has moved to the Senate, where a tougher battle is underway. This minimum wage increase for our low-income workers is a moral issue, and it should not be derailed by partisan politics, bad amendments, or delaying tactics. For information on contacting your Senators and other ways you can help, visit www.sojo.net

Justice in the Gulf Coast: The rich have rebuilt in many areas of the Gulf Coast (the casinos, the hotels, restaurants, and the rich people), but those who aren't as wealthy are having great difficulty repairing their house so that is livable! 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: Once you have heard about the ONE campaign, visited the website, and bought the bracelet, don’t forget about it! Too many in the world continue to suffer from poverty, hunger, and disease, and too few are doing anything to stop it. 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. Together, one by one, we can help bring an end to overwhelming global poverty, disease, and hunger. For action ideas and to learn more, see www.one.org, www.elca.org/advocacy/one and www.bread.org

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

Resources

Budget Priorities Computer Activity: As the war continues in Iraq, just how much of the US budget is being spent on military responses to conflict 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 is spent and explores the question "What Really Brings Security?" through vivid graphics and informative activities.

The activity and resource guide are available via our website at www.LutheranPeace.org; both are also available on a CD with supplementary resources for $10 ($4-$8 for LPF members). To order your copy, email lpf@ecunet.org or call (206) 720-0313.

Global Directory of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Programs: The 7th edition of the Global Directory of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution programs is now available in print and as a constantly updated online resource. You can order just the book or the database, or both. This comprehensive guide to peace studies and conflict resolution programs profiles over 450 undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral programs, centers and institutes worldwide. For details, visit http://www.peacejusticestudies.org/globaldirectory/

Community News

Don’t miss these events! Registration for many, including Equipping for Peacemaking II, closes soon!

Seattle, WA – Lutheran Volunteer Corps Puget Sound Office Has Moved!:
New address is 911 Stewart St, Seattle, WA 98117. Phone # 206-709-8690 and email pugetsound@lutheranvolunteercorps.org remain the same.

Around the World - A Week of Events for Darfur (April 23^rd – 30^th): We must call attention to the escalating violence and the continued failure of the international community to adequately respond to this crisis. To find an event near you or on information for creating your own event, as well as details on the ongoing crisis in Darfur, visit www.savedarfur.org

Chicago, IL – Equipping for Peacemaking II (April 27^th – 29^th): Participants in this event will enhance their skills for peacemaking and the understanding of biblical foundations for justice and nonviolence and are expected to share what they learn in their own faith communities following the training. Scholarship help is available. Registration closes at the end of this week! Visit http://www.elca.org/nonviolence/ for more details, or call the LPF office at 206-720-0313

Chelan, WA –Youth Weekends at Holden Village (May): Registration for this coming May's Holden Youth Weekends is now open. The theme for the weekends is Christian Service (part of which is advocacy). Registration information is available at www.tlc.edu/cyfcenter or call 425-961-5544.

Bellingham, WA – Join Hands Day at Camp Lutherwood (May 5):

Saturday, May 5^th, 2007 from 9am – 5pm, bring your work gloves and favorite tools. Lutherwood will be providing a free BBQ lunch to all volunteers. All ages and skill levels are welcomed. This is a great opportunity for families, students, retirees and friends to connect and serve together. Call Bob Merrill, Camp Director at 360-303-7930 or the office at 360-734-7652 for more information. www.camplutherwood.org 1185 Roy Road, Bellingham WA 98229.

Washington, DC – Pentecost 2007: Taking Vision to the Streets (June 3-6): At this Pentecost gathering, we want to move boldly against poverty by calling together new partners and seizing new opportunities for the implementation of our initiative: the Covenant for a New America. The covenant is an anti-poverty platform and vision that calls our elected leaders and political candidates to enact solutions that transcend ideology–that stress both personal and social responsibility and insist that overcoming poverty must become a non-partisan issue and a bi-partisan cause. For more details, visit http://go.sojo.net/sojourners/events/Pentecost/details.tcl

Local and National Opportunities to Serve

Lutheran Volunteer Corps: The Lutheran Volunteer Corps is a one-year, full-time domestic volunteer program that offers people a challenging year of spiritual and personal exploration while working for social justice, living in intentional community and simplifying their lifestyles.

Volunteers provide direct service to people in need, organize their communities for social and political change, and advocate for better policies on a wide variety of issues. Most positions are entry level and require little or no previous experience except a passion for social justice, flexibility, and a sense of humor!

LVC is on a Journey to an Inclusive Community, forming and strengthening alliances among people of many cultures and communities, and intentionally dismantling racism within LVC, the church and society. As a Reconciling in Christ organization, LVC welcomes and encourages the participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in all aspects of LVC. LVC volunteers come from a wide variety of faith backgrounds, and do not need to be Lutheran. Married and committed partners are welcome to apply. While there is no upper age limit, volunteers should be at least 21 to participate. The program begins in late August of each year. The next application deadline is May 1st. Contact Kelly Shinn, Recruitment Coordinator, at 202-387-3222 or lvcrecruitment@lutheranvolunteercorps.org for more information.

Lutherwood Join Hands Day: Join hands with your neighbors and friends on Saturday, May 5^th, for Join Hands Day at Lutherwood Camp and Retreat Center near Bellingham, WA. Help prepare the facility for the hundreds of kids who will come to camp this summer.

Join Hands Day is a national day of volunteerism that encourages people to connect with their neighbors through service, giving back for a good cause. Join Hands Day is sponsored by fraternal organizations, including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Please join Lutherwood for this wonderful opportunity to give back to the community. Call Bob Merrill, Camp Director at 360-303-7930 or the office at 360-734-7652 for more information. www.camplutherwood.org 1185 Roy Road, Bellingham WA 98229.

Spiritual Reflection

The following two texts are taken from the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle on the Gulf region:

O God, who art the unsearchable abyss of peace,
the ineffable sea of love, the fountain of blessings
and the bestower of affection,
who sendest peace to those that receive it;

Open to us this day the sea of thy love
and water us with plenteous streams
from the riches of thy grace
and from the most sweet springs of thy kindness.

Make us children of quietness and heirs of peace,
enkindle in us the fire of thy love;
sow in us thy fear;
strengthen our weakness by thy power;
bind us closely to thee and to each other
in our firm and indissoluble bond of unity:

Syrian Clementine Liturgy (in: For all God’s people; p. 73)

“Litany for Iraq”

For lasting peace in this ancient land – From you, O Lord.
For wisdom and compassion for all in authority – From you, O Lord.
For comfort for families separated or bereaved – From you, O Lord.
For the release of captives – From you, O Lord.
For safety and security for minority communities.
For refreshment for the weary and healing for the sick – From you, O Lord.
For continuing faithfulness of the ancient churches of this land – From you, O Lord.
For tenacity of spirit for small Christian groups – From you, O Lord.
For the mutual enrichment and support of those of different Christian traditions – From you, O Lord.

You, Lord of all, we confess;
You, Lord Jesus, we glorify;
For you are the life of our bodies
And you are the Saviour of our souls.

The response in the litany and this hymn both come from the Chaldean liturgy. The ancient hymn celebrates Christ the source of resurrection in all situations of death and deprivation. (in: With All God’s People, p. 21, 22)