October 4, 2020

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 where all are welcome, where all can find compassion, peace and justice.

We are the peacemakers.

 The Peace & Global Witness Offering unites us with Presbyterian peacemakers across the country and the world who are also active, not passive; who are doing, not waiting.

In Baltimore the Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church used their share of the offering to promote anti-violence programs in their schools.

The Central Presbyterian Church in Dayton, Ohio, used their share to send a delegate to the World Presbyterian Peace Fellowship in Colombia to participate in conversations about the progress of the peace accords in areas of the nation wracked by revolution.

The Presbytery of the Pacific supports efforts to bring about change for low-wage workers and other vulnerable community members in the Los Angeles area.

The Peace & Global Witness Offering has helped end the forced inscription of child soldiers, to end gender-based violence and violence against women, to seek peace through nuclear disarmament, to end hunger and promote peacemaking in places like Madagascar and Rwanda.

During this season of peace, we have heard stories about Presbyterians working together to support sustainable food programs in war-torn parts of Cameroon. We’ve heard about the establishment of a new worshiping community in a Washington prison and a program to provide education to prevent STDs and HIV/AIDS in one of the worst-struck regions of sub-Saharan Africa.

With our gifts we are part of all these efforts, whether they are right here in our own backyard or in places we’ve never seen and maybe never will. But these are all places that have one thing in common — the need for freedom and dignity that Christ wants for us all. Let us offer the peace of Christ at all times, in all ways.

We are the peacemakers.

 We are the church, together. We are peacemakers, together. We are the builders of God’s household of peace. Together. And when, together, we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.

Bryce Wiebe, Director of Special Offerings and Appeals, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Today’s Focus:  Peace & Global Witness Offering

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Derrick Perkins, Administrative Services Group (A Corp)
Lisa Pesavento, Presbyterian Foundation

Let us pray:

Prince of peace, make us active in reconciliation as we seek to build your house. May your spirit join these gifts that all might be instruments of your peace. Amen.