They brought Red Hands.
They made Red Hands.
They made plans to create Red Hands in their congregations.
The Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of New York City gathered for their Fall Gathering on October 15 at the First Presbyterian Church in Williamsbridge.
Their varied program featured a presentation by the Rev. Kellie Anderson-Picallo on the diverse gifts God gives to us; the Rev. Lynn West on working for a world in which hunger is no more; and the Rev. Rev. Nadine Hundertmark preaching on claiming our voice and serving Jesus. I also had the chance to talk about the various ways that the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations can help equip and empower women to live as global disciples.
The Red Hands project provides one example of global discipleship. Through this effort, we urge governments of the world to create international will to end the use of children as soldiers. Presbyterian Red Hands (along with Red Hands from around the world) are delivered to Permanent Missions of United Nations member states that have not ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. This international treaty helps establish the consensus that children should not be used as soldiers. It also makes it possible for those who use children as soldiers to be prosecuted in the International Criminal Court.
The Presbyterian Women joined gladly joined this project. I took a number of Red Hands with me. I look forward to receiving more.
I also look forward to working with the Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of New York City to create a seminar for their group!