As long as there have been Presbyterians, there been Presbyterian peacemakers – Presbyterians who seek peace, act with compassion, and pursue justice in the name of Jesus.
The adoption of Peacemaking: The Believers' Calling led to an intentional focus on peacemaking ministries on all levels of the church and to the creation of the Peacemaking Offering and the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.
The 30th anniversary is being celebrated in a number of ways including a seminar at Ghost Ranch, Songs for Peace and Justice at Stony Point Center, as well as the dessert at the General Assembly meeting. Peacemakers from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities helped with the dessert.
Resources to celebrate the anniversary include a litany, canticles, and a list of ways to mark thirty years of peacemaking.
The dessert provided an opportunity for peacemakers to slow down from the pace of the General Assembly and gather for a time of reflection and fellowship, sharing memories and hopes.
Highlights included:
- great food
- good people
- cello music provided by Elianna Thorne
- greetings from the Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem
Small grants, made possible from the sale of tickets to the dessert, were provided to the Nonviolent Peaceforce and the African Health Action Corporation (whose staff conducted the HIV testing at the Assembly).
Long-time partner Victor Makari led a reading of "A Psalm of Peacemaking" from Peacemaking: The Believers' Calling to close the evening. Victor
Thanks to all who attended.
If you were not there, maybe we will see you in Pittsburgh? (where the next GA meets).
If your life has been touched by the ministry of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program in some way over the past 30 years, consider a gift of $30.00 to the Peacemaking Offering. For those who give in their congregations, this could be an additional gift.
The photo is by Tony Oltmann.