Here's a way congregations can celebrate 30 years of peacemaking:
Create a peace blessing bowl for the congregation. Find, make, or purchase a medium-sized bowl. Place small stones in the bowl. Near the bowl place small pieces of paper and pens or pencils. Invite people to write the names of individuals or places or issues in need of God's peace on a piece of paper and place it in the bowl. They then remove a stone as a reminder to remember that person, place or issue in prayer that Sunday and in the coming week.
Thirty years ago the 192nd General Assembly (1980) of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. adopted Peacemaking: The Believers' Calling. This statement affirmed that peacemaking is central to the gospel message and to living as disciples of Jesus. It affirmed past and ongoing Presbyterian peacemaking efforts and called for a renewed emphasis on peacemaking. Since 1980, individual Presbyterians, congregations, middle governing bodies, and General Assembly programs have engaged in amazing peacemaking ministries in the name of Jesus Christ. In this 30th anniversary year the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program suggests 30 ways congregations can celebrate ministries past and present and look forward to new adventures following Christ, who is our peace.
Tell the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program how you are celebrating the anniversary.
Your gifts to the Peacemaking Offering help the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program support Presbyterians in ministries seeking peace and pursuing justice.