St Martin of Tours is known as the first conscientious objector and a great peacemaker in the Christian church. His feast day of 11 November (or the nearest Sunday) which is also observed as Remembrance Day for remembering those killed in wars (it was called Armistice Day following the First World War).
Lutherans have had a long history of responding to the gospel call to be peacemakers. One of the initial motivations for the formation of a Lutheran peace movement in the US was the need to support those resisting the draft through conscientious objection to military solutions to conflict. LPF traces its roots to this movement dating back to 1940.
For more contemporary information on current issues relating to the military service, see LPF's resource: Youth and the Military
For further information on St Martin of Tours, here are several links:
The International Day of Peace 2010 and The International Day of Prayer for Peace, are observed widely on Sept. 21 in congregations and at the ELCA Center in Chicago. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has announced that this year’s Peace Day Theme is “Peace, Youth and Development” under the slogan “Peace = Future”. LPF and the ELCA offer a variety of peace prayers and other resources that can be used throughout the year. We have suggestions, a bulletin insert, and other resources and activities below to make this a meaningful and useful experience for all. LPF’s director was one of six Lutheran peace leaders whose reflections on peace day were featured on the home page of the ELCA web site in 2009.
On this day we remember the anniversary of the atomic the bombing of Hiroshima, August 6, 1945. Remarkably, this is the first time in 65 years that the US has sent an official representative to the city for an event that organizers hope will bolster global efforts toward nuclear disarmament. We invite Christians to pray for peace.
Ideas for Prayers for Peace/Peace Vigils from Lutheran Peace Fellowship
Individuals and congregations are encouraged to show their support for peace this advent/spring. That support for peace can take form in many ways, from a simple prayer during church services to events requiring more planning.
Here are some ideas:
Asking the pastor if he/she would be interested in building on the peace theme of the service on the Sunday after Easter (which has an exceptional peace text in the lectionary) and offering some of the ideas below or on the LPF web site.
A group of members holding candles in silence in the narthex after a Lenten service, with an announcement in or before the service inviting folks to join. Preparation can be as simple as talking to your pastor to get the OK, and calling a few peace people to invite them to be participants.
A public vigil on the street after the service. This would take the above, plus making a sign saying what it is, calling a few more people, perhaps people in or announcements in neighboring congregations.
Both could benefit from picking a simple prayer to end, having a simple handout for participants and folks who show interest (e.g. with a few sentences on the purpose, ending with a few links to religious resources such as prayers, and perhaps a few sources of more info on Iraq/Afghanistan - see LPF website).
Finally, there could be hosting a separate service such as the prayer service planned at Atonement Lutheran Church, Newport Oregon “Prayers for Peace: An Interfaith Candlelight Vigil” Wednesday, March 24, 7:30 p.m. .
Here is a prayer from Charlotte Gaddis, Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, Seattle, WA:
We witness daily the chaos and violence that our brothers and sisters are experiencing for over seven years in Iraq and Afghanistan. Families are being torn apart and children see death and suffering all around them. We come together to pray for peace in what ever form [and faith] that might take.
Thanks to our friends at ChristianPeaceWitness.org for the idea.
Anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero
LPF's Youth Program is a network of high school and college students, college and university groups, youth leaders, churches, and community organizations joined together with a common interest in issues of peace and justice. The youth program hosts workshops in various issues of peace and justice. In addition, we have resources and publish an e-newsletter to help keep the network connected between workshops and events. For more information, e-mail lpfyouth@yahoo.com
