Posts Tagged: peace & global witness offering

Peacemaking: Nonviolence

Shining the Light of Christ on the Streets of Indianapolis Looking into the eyes of the Rev. Charles Harrison, pastor of Barnes United Methodist Church in Indianapolis and president of the board of the Indy TenPoint Coalition, a young man made his tearful confession. “I was living in a community that was so violent, it… Read more »

Peacemaking: Immigration/Migration

Building Connections to Welcome the Stranger Wandering the streets of Athens with two small children in tow, Fatima had nowhere to turn. Left homeless following a massive fire that closed the Moria Refugee Camp in Greece, the native Afghani was arrested and imprisoned after unknowingly becoming involved with drug dealers. Devastated and alone in a… Read more »

Peacemaking: Climate Change

No place like home Peace & Global Witness Offering supports efforts to accompany Fiji’s environmental migrants No one spread a mat for Selai. Born and raised in Vunidogoloa [voo-nē-dō-gō-lōah], a Fijian community that was forced to relocate due to the impact of climate change, Selai [Suh-lī] felt unwelcome in her new home. “When I walked… Read more »

Peace & Global Witness: The Light Shines On

Have you ever felt so far from God’s peace that you couldn’t even imagine it? Natalie Pisarcik testified during Sunday worship in her home congregation, First Presbyterian Church of Boonton, New Jersey, that she was in that place. A place so dark that she was ready to end her pain. Ready to take her own… Read more »

Peace & Global Witness: The Light of Understanding

As well traveled and as fully versed in Presbyterian mission as he is, Tom Elander was still surprised by what he witnessed and learned at the U.S.-Mexico border last winter. As a participant in a travel study seminar hosted by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program to help better understand the real-world impact of migration and immigration… Read more »

Learning to Sign ‘Peace’

Guest post by John Odom A “peace movement” is taking place throughout Mid-Kentucky Presbytery. Its origins are found in Scripture for sure, but the movement has gained momentum largely in response to COVID-19. To keep people safely distanced, a number of Mid-Kentucky Presbytery congregations have learned and practice American Sign Language (ASL) as they pass… Read more »

Peace & Global Witness: Seeking Light Through Creative Expression

Beirut’s 2020 port explosions shattered Nada Raphael’s world. The devastating blast that tore through the port area of Beirut — one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history — left hundreds dead, thousands injured, an estimated 300,000 people homeless and artists like Raphael psychically wounded. “Beirut is my city,” said the Lebanese-born photographer, videographer and… Read more »

Celebrating the 2021 Peace & Global Witness Offering with Our Youth

Engaging the children of your congregation with the four churchwide Special Offerings has never been easier or more important, whether you are engaging them in-person or virtually. And the Peace & Global Witness Offering is especially important as we learn that no one is too young to be a peacemaker! First and foremost, the Peace… Read more »

Peace & Global Witness: Building God’s Household of Peace, Together

We are the peacemakers Peacemaking is active not passive; doing not waiting. Let’s let that sink in for a moment: peacemaking is active, not passive; doing, not waiting. And this is A Season of Peace when we, the church together, are focused on seeking peace and reconciliation. Together we are building God’s house of peace… Read more »