November Peace Newsletter
"And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" - James 3:18
Greetings my fellow peacemakers! Ready for the holidays? Are you looking forward to a break from school, anticipating or dreading those holiday parties with relatives? For me it’s a mixture of emotions. I must say though, that this advent season holds an extra bit of light for me- I’m working with LPF again!
After Allyson Fredericksen finished her time here, LPF invited me (Monica Fisk) back to coordinate the youth program. I had worked with the youth program back in ‘02-’03, and loved doing nonviolence trainings, peace advocacy, and networking with passionate Lutheran students. I’m excited to be back, and look forward to building our network of Christian peacemakers!
Especially now, when many of us are feeling overwhelmed by consumerism, social disparity and war, advent is a reminder that we desperately need another way. Even more, advent is a reminder that with grace and faith, we have the power to bring the world into light!
For me, one of the best gifts of peacemaking is experiencing the power of sharing with each other spiritually, emotionally, and physically. When we work together in community toward our common vision of shalom, we are renewed and blessed. This is why this advent season we are focusing on a campaign of witnessing against war and for peace. I hope that you all will join me in planning and attending local vigils and services for peace (see below).
Get involved, take action, carve out some time in this busy season to connect with other committed peacemakers, re-inspire yourself with the power of people, and pray for shalom!
--Monica Fisk
If you have any comments, questions, or further interest in LPF’s youth program, send an e-mail to lpfyouth@gmail.com or lpf@ecunet.org.
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Advocacy Alerts:
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This Advent- Witness for peace!
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If you want to help bring "Peace on Earth" in a real way, we invite you to join Lutheran youth and adult leaders across the country in our growing ecumenical effort -The Christian Peace Witness for Iraq!
What? This advent season, people of faith are putting Christian peacemaking into action as a part of a nationwide campaign of ecumenical advent witnesses. LPF youth are organizing vigils on their campuses, hosting events in their neighborhoods, and encouraging their pastors to include peace witness in church services.
Why? There are growing numbers of people in our communities who don’t have safe place to discuss or express their feelings about the war in Iraq. At the same time, it is unlikely that the Bush administration will change its course on its own. As Christians, we believe we have a role to play in ending the war in Iraq, and want to increase our strength by creating a strong, visible, ecumenical witness.
Who? You and me! Would you consider helping host a local vigil/witness in Advent in your community or school? No matter your situation or experience, your efforts will have a huge impact!
How? Here at LPF, we will have a conference call after Thanksgiving where you can brainstorm with other youth about your event. We can also link you with other folks in your area, and provide event materials (vigil tips, prayers, posters, buttons, etc). Participants register their vigil or event at the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq website, (where there is lots of useful information): http://www.christianpeacewitness.org/. The LPF website has other useful material: http://www.lutheranpeace.org/.
There are other ways to plug into this ecumenical peace witness:
1. join other conference calls with organizers around the country to coordinate our efforts
2. prepare for a Lenten "wave" of vigils and witness,
3. get ready for t he Washington D.C. Christian Peace Witness for Iraq on March 7, 2008 , and legislative advocacy this summer
To get involved, email Monica, LPF youth coordinator, at lpfyouth@gmail.com.
Read more at: http://www.christianpeacewitness.org/.
What? This advent season, people of faith are putting Christian peacemaking into action as a part of a nationwide campaign of ecumenical advent witnesses. LPF youth are organizing vigils on their campuses, hosting events in their neighborhoods, and encouraging their pastors to include peace witness in church services.
Why? There are growing numbers of people in our communities who don’t have safe place to discuss or express their feelings about the war in Iraq. At the same time, it is unlikely that the Bush administration will change its course on its own. As Christians, we believe we have a role to play in ending the war in Iraq, and want to increase our strength by creating a strong, visible, ecumenical witness.
Who? You and me! Would you consider helping host a local vigil/witness in Advent in your community or school? No matter your situation or experience, your efforts will have a huge impact!
How? Here at LPF, we will have a conference call after Thanksgiving where you can brainstorm with other youth about your event. We can also link you with other folks in your area, and provide event materials (vigil tips, prayers, posters, buttons, etc). Participants register their vigil or event at the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq website, (where there is lots of useful information): http://www.christianpeacewitness.org/. The LPF website has other useful material: http://www.lutheranpeace.org/.
There are other ways to plug into this ecumenical peace witness:
1. join other conference calls with organizers around the country to coordinate our efforts
2. prepare for a Lenten "wave" of vigils and witness,
3. get ready for t he Washington D.C. Christian Peace Witness for Iraq on March 7, 2008 , and legislative advocacy this summer
To get involved, email Monica, LPF youth coordinator, at lpfyouth@gmail.com.
Read more at: http://www.christianpeacewitness.org/.
Hunger Advocacy- Update on the Farm Bill
After passing through the House, the full Senate began debate on the five-year, $286 billion Farm Bill on November 5. The Senate vote on the farm bill will make a critical difference in whether the 2007 farm bill will include changes that benefit hungry and poor people in the United States and around the world and make programs more fair for U.S. farm and rural families.
Because of procedural disputes, there have been no votes on amendments to the bill so far. Democrats tried to break the impasse with a cloture vote on Nov. 16th but failed, so action is stalled, increasing the possibility that the legislation could be delayed until next year. The Senate is now in recess until December 3rd.
Its not clear when the Senate debate will start up again. Senator Reid may bring the bill to the floor in December, or he might wait until the new year. Whenever the debate resumes, we will still want to push for amendments that would improve the farm bill, including the Lugar/Lautenberg Amendment, Grassley/Dorgan Amendment, Brown/Sununu Amendment, Menendez Amendment, and other amendments that strengthen nutrition programs.
If they can’t reach agreement on a new bill, Congress could extend the current legislation. But that would postpone indefinitely the gains for farmers, food stamp recipients and rural communities contained in the new legislation.
In any case, leading hunger advocate organization Bread for the World is encouraging folks to be ready to take action by contacting their senators as soon as the bill returns. You can keep up to date at http://www.bread.org/.
Hunger Advocacy- Support the World Hunger Appeal
One way you can take action on hunger now is through the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The ELCA is committed to supporting people who live in chronic hunger and poverty around the corner and around the world. They carry out relief, development, education and advocacy to end hunger through the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.
You can donate directly online at www.elca.org/hunger/howtogive/index.html, or you can encourage your congregation to designate a collection to their crucial programs. Read more at www.elca.org/hunger.
News Articles and Community Events:
We’ll be back next month with Peace and justice news as well as community events. In the meantime, for current news check out http://www.sojo.net/, http://www.commondreams.org/, http://www.alternet.org/.
Do you know of an upcoming event in your community? Email lpfyouth@gmail.com with details to include it in next month’s issue!
