Responding to the Earthquake in Japan

On March 11, an earthquake off the Pacific coast of Japan struck with a magnitude of 8.9 -- the fifth largest quake in recorded history. I triggered a tsunami which devastated Japan´s coastal areas with 30-foot waves and seriously damaged nuclear plants which are now threatening to melt down and spread radiation. 
Check out the ELCA website for information on how to respond to this disaster and ways to donate and stand in solidarity with the People of Japan.

Thoughts While Fasting

by Bonnie Block


I went hungry today,

So I remembered of the men at Guantanamo

who’ve been on hunger strikes protesting their unjust imprisonment.

I went hungry today,

So I thought of the people of Gaza and Haiti

who are hungry every day.

I drank only liquids today,

So I was reminded of all the women

who carry their family’s water for miles day after day.

I drank only liquids today,

So I prayed for all the children

who get sick and may die from drinking polluted water.

I had no food today,

So I mourned for the tens of thousands of people in our world

who die from hunger year after year.

I had no food today,

So I considered the families here in Wisconsin

Who have to rely on food pantries that may be empty.

I’ve fasted for twelve days – voluntarily and temporarily

So I know how immensely privileged I am.

Tomorrow thankfully, I’ll eat again

But please oh God,

Keep me hungry for justice,

Make me thirsty for peace.


I wrote this on Jan 21, 2011, the night before the end of a 12 day liquids only Fast for Justice called by Witness Against Torture to get Guantanamo closed, to insure transparency so we know if this monstrous practice continues, and to demand accountability for all those complicit in torture. (www.witnesstorture.org)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer´s Birthday - February 4


Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) is known for his leadership role in the Confessing Church, efforts on behalf of peace and justice, opposition to antisemitism, and writings on theology and ethics that have been influential far beyond his German Lutheran context. He was was hanged by the Nazis on April 6, 1945 in the Flossenburg concentration camp.
In addition to the videos below, you can check out our set of quotes by this Lutheran Hero at:

Dietrich Bonhoeffer
24 Quotes

LPF Peace Art Contest

Peacemaking at School

No Name-Calling Week

No Name-Calling Week, January 24-28, 2011, is an annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds and providing schools with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate bullying in their communities.

Visit the No Name-Calling Week website for more information, to join the network and receive anti-bullying resources throughout the year, and to access resources.

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National Peace Essay Contest 2011

High school students can win college scholarships up to $10,000.

The United States Institute of Peace is holding its annual NATIONAL PEACE ESSAY CONTEST. This scholarship contest is for high school students who are interested in international issues, conflict resolution, peace studies, justice, and human rights. The 2010-2011 contest's topic is "GOVERNANCE, CORRUPTION, AND CONFLICT." The topic changes every year. The DEADLINE for the 2010-2011 contest is February 1, 2011. Entries must be received by this date.

For more information, visit the United States Institute of Peace website.

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LPF Peace Art Contest

We are doing a makeover of the main homepage of the LPF website and want to include pictures of people involved in a variety of peacemaking activities and other images and artwork to illustrate the work of LPF.

Please send us action shots of you and other peacemakers in action and images or artwork of what peacemaking means to you. The best entries will be featured on the LPF website.

Ideas include:

• Take action photos of peace related events/activities in your congregation or community.
• Sunday school art projects: draw a picture of what peace means to you.
• Pick out your favorite peace related bible verse to illustrate.
• Download LPF´s Peace Deck and create original artwork based on your favorite quote.
• Illustrate the concepts of active nonviolence and conflict resolution in photos or drawings.
• Take pictures at your local foodbank or feeding program of people helping people in need.

Please submit entries by email to lutheranpeace@gmail.com (5 mb max per email) along with the author´s name so we can give them credit.

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Jan 4, 2011

Jan. 17, birth of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King quotes reflecting some of the breadth of Dr. King's thought.

Useful as a bulletin insert.

It boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Trumpet of Conscience