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

April 25, 2007
A Publication of Lutheran Peace Fellowship
please share with others who might like to see this!

Welcome

Violence is all around us. Just over a week ago, the campus of Virginia Tech was swarmed by violence as 32 students and faculty members were shot by a student who then took his own life. In the days since, discussions of violence on campuses and on gun violence have led the news as questions of “how can we better protect ourselves?” and “who do we blame?” became top stories. As the largest shooting in the United States, the shooting at Virginia Tech brought a human face as loved ones remembered their friends and family lost.

This past week, the news also brought us stories of violence in other parts of the world: bombings throughout the Middle East, continued fighting in Iraq, a suspension of aid in parts of Darfur because of increased violence, among others. In these stories of violence, however, there were few faces to connect the stories with humanity, and those killed only added to the existing death tolls as mere statistics.

On Wednesday, I was at a college campus in Southern California to take part in their annual Take Back the Night, an event protesting domestic violence and sexual assault. In our discussions on Christian responses to domestic violence and how campuses can help minimize domestic abuse, examples of violence such as hitting, yelling, and strangling came easily to mind. As we looked deeper, however, other images of domestic violence became more clear: needing to always be right, reacting to being hurt by desiring to “teach them a lesson,” ignoring a partner or immediately changing the subject, complete economic control by one person, making one partner always feel guilty. The face of domestic abuse that most of us recognize is that of a bruised and battered woman; in our discussions, however, we found that most domestic violence leaves no physical scars and can be nearly silent. We realized that many of us taking part in the discussion knew someone or perhaps had even been in a relationship that would qualify as violent with these new definitions: in fact, the face of domestic violence was nearly everywhere we looked.

There is little denying that we live in a violent world; when we look at expanded definitions of violence that include more than physical assault, we see that the violence in the world around us is even more prevalent than we first thought. This thought can be overwhelming, especially when we include the violence of choosing who gets resources and who does not or which countries get to choose. However, in this expanded notion, there is hope: just as violence is broader than we might think, nonviolence and constructive programs to stem violence are also broader than simply trying to stop someone with a gun or a bomb.

As Christians, we are also encouraged by the message of shalom brought by Jesus. We are called to welcome the outcast and the beggar, to help stop physical violence before it begins. Following Jesus’ example, we can use creative nonviolence and look to the needs of our fellow humanity, building up relationships and calling out injustice everywhere so that no children of God are left wanting. Through participation in events like the Global Days for Darfur, to conversations with those with whom we disagree, to helping ensure that no one is without food or clean water, to anything that helps build community and not walls, we can follow in Jesus’ way of shalom and help bring about a more peaceful and less violent world.

“The followers of Christ have been called to peace. And they must not only have peace, but also make it. To that end they renounce all violence. In the case of Christ nothing is gained by such methods. His disciples keep the peace by choosing to endure suffering rather than inflict it n others, renounce hatred, maintain fellowship where others would break it off. In so doing they overcome evil with good and establish the peace of God in the midst of a world of war and hate.” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer

–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

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 – Global Days for Darfur, Pentecost 2007, and more!

- Spiritual Reflection – Live the call for shalom!

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

Aid Groups Halt Work in Western Darfur Border Area: Several international aid agencies said on Monday they were suspending their work in the town of Um Dukhun in Sudan's troubled Darfur region because of attacks on them…. the decision would disrupt services to some 100,000 people in the area near the border with Chad and Central African Republic. For more on this, visit http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L23207135.htm

Thousands of Desperate Somalis Fleeing Mogadishu as Aid Agencies Struggle to Meet Needs: Describing a scene of growing chaos, a UNHCR staff member in Afgooye, 30 kms west of Mogadishu, said a road linking the two areas had reopened on Monday morning and was filled with a continuous flow of displaced people. He said the Afgooye area was jammed with more than 41,000 displaced people, and hungry and thirsty crowds were becoming increasingly difficult to control. For details, visit http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/UNHCR/2417e8e9a356f6270fd22349f6eef4fe.htm

South Korean Aid to North Korea Conditional on Disarmament Moves: South Korea's top official on North Korea stressed Monday that delivery of promised rice aid to Pyongyang depends on whether the communist nation lives up to its commitment to start dismantling its nuclear weapons program. For the whole story, visit http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/04/23/koreas.nuclear.ap/index.html

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 III" - 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

Immigration Reform: With Congress on the verge of rewriting our nation's immigration laws, too many of the loudest voices being heard are politicians and pundits who seek to scapegoat immigrant workers, falsely blaming them for many of our nation's social and economic problems. Tell Congress: immigration reform must be fair and compassionate. Visit www.sojo.net for more details.

For more ideas, visit http://www.unitedforpeace.org and www.sojo.net

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

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 - Global Days for Darfur III (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

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.

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.

Seattle, WA - U2Charist and Millennium Development Goals Fair (May 27): Hosted by Church of the Apostles at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral. At the fair, national and local organizations committed to the Millennium Development Goals will offer information and resources related to their organization and the MDGs. For more details or to find out about how your organization can take part, email Sara Collins at sara@apostleschurch.org

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

Violence is not only shooting, bombing, or strangling; likewise, peace is more than just the absence of such physical acts. Christ calls us to a greater level of peace: that of shalom, including community, relationships, and respect, as well as peace with justice. While in Washington, DC, for Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, we handed out thousands of small cards with quotes and bible verses on peace and nonviolence (as well as statistics on the war in Iraq). Below are some of the quotes and verses included in those cards. In a world so saturated with violence, let us not give up hope, but instead find and build lasting peace through the example of Jesus.

“There remains an experience of incomparable value…to see the great events of world history from below; from the perspective of the outcast, the suspects, ,the maltreated, the powerless, the oppressed, the reviled – in short, from the perspective of those who suffer…to look with new eyes on matters great and small.” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“Where love is, what can be wanting? Where it is not, what can possibly be profitable?” – St. Augustine

“You have heard that it was said, ‘love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’” – Matthew 5:43-48

“I have called you and given you power to see that justice is done on earth.” – Isaiah 42:6

“Love must be learned again and again; there is no end to it. Hate needs no instruction, but waits only to be provoked.” – Katherine Anne Porter

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

If you would like a complete set of all of our Peace Cards, call the LPF office at 206-323-7007 or email lpfyouth@gmail.com