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The Peacemaking Program exists at every level of the church structure. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is an extensive connectional body consisting of 2,525,330 members, 11,178 congregations, 173 presbyteries, 16 synods, 69 higher educational institutions, and 12 theological institutions. It spans fifty states and Puerto Rico. Presbyteries range in size from 13 to 204 congregations.

Peacemaking happens through:

• congregations (usually supported by a peacemaking committee under the session of the church);
• presbyteries (through a Peacemaking committee or subcommittee sometimes lodged under a social justice or mission committee — the name varies);
• synods (some have peacemaking committees) and
• the General Assembly level through national staff.

Stories from the Network

Send us information about what your Peacemaking Committee is doing. We'll put it on the Web to share ideas with other Peacemakers.

Peacemaking Program dinner at General Assembly

Harry Pickens in concert at the 2005 Peacemaking Conference. Photo by David P. Young

Harry Pickens, internationally renowned jazz pianist and peacemaker, will provide a concert and engage in conversation at the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program dinner during the General Assembly on Wednesday, June 25 from 6–7:30 p.m. The dinner will take place at Trinity Cathedral located at 81 N. 2nd Street. A simple meal will benefit the Green Belt Movement in Kenya.

Ministry on the home front

By Tom Williams

For many Presbyterians as well as others in our society, the idea of war can only be responded to with the lyrics from the Edwin Starr hit “War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing!” But for others, to embrace only that response is to ignore the difficulties and challenges war creates for those who serve — veterans and their families and friends. In 2005, the Presbytery of Milwaukee’s Mission Partnerships Team began discussing what a faithful response to those challenges might be. On April 19, 2008, their efforts came to fruition at Crossroads Presbyterian Church in Mequon where the presbytery hosted a half-day workshop entitled “Homefront Ministry.” More than 60 people from at least 10 congregations and at least three denominations attended. [Read more]

Celebrating peace at Afton Presbyterian Church

by Eugenia Peters

The Afton Presbyterian Church in Afton, N.Y. (population about 1000), has held an evening worship service celebrating peace on International Day of Peace since 2003. A freewill offering is taken. The offering is divided into thirds and dispersed into local, national and international peacemaking efforts. Our intentions are pro-peace, not anti-war. This year we also devoted the entire day to celebrating the idea of peace. Read more about this event.

Innovative program raises nearly $15,000 for peacemaking

One Sunday morning last September, a very surprising thing happened at the New Wilmington Presbyterian Church in western Pennsylvania.  Following a sermon based on the parable of the talents, pink envelopes containing crisp, new $5 bills were distributed to the congregation as the first step in what was to be called the "Multiply the Gift" program that raised nearly $15,000 for peacemaking ministries along the U.S. Gulf Coast, the Sabeel Center in Israel and in relief and reconstruction work in areas of Lebanon affected by last summer’s violence between Israel and Hezbollah. Keep reading about the "Multiply the Gift" program.

More stories from the Peacemaking Network

• Every child a Peacemaker
• Holston Presbytery Affirms the Commitment to Peacemaking
• Forest Hill Church (Presbyterian) Reaffirms the Commitment
• 2006 Peacemaking Educational Event in Israel/Palestine
• Peacemaking in the Presbyterian Church: An Overview

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