PC(USA) - Presbyterian Peacemaking Program


	Peacemaking Resources and Publications Featured resources Web-based resources Publications Of special interest to college and seminary students


	Featured Resources

	SPECIAL OFFER Africa's Children: A Church Response to Children's Issues in Sub-Saharan Africa In sub-Saharan Africa the number of orphan and vulnerable children is growing as a result of issues such as the AIDS pandemic, poverty, lack of education and countries in conflict. This book and study guide reviews the models of care existing in sub-Saharan Africa and evaluates them in the context of the African culture and the realities of limited resources. Additionally, this book includes discernment questions for congregation for individuals that want to help. FREE • Item #2538407003 SPECIAL OFFER When God’s People Travel Purchase all three volumes of the When God’s People Travel Together series for a special price. Volume I: A Trip Leader’s Manual Volume II: Reflecting and Acting on Mission Trip Experiences Volume III: Bible Studies for Mission $20.00 • PDS #24358-07-014 AIDS and Peacemaking This one-sheet leaflet briefly describes the work of the PC(USA)’s International AIDS Ministries in Africa and how that work relates to peacemaking. Congregations, presbyteries, and synods are encouraged to use all or part of their share of the Offering to go for work with AIDS-related ministries. FREE • PDS #1114207289



	Web-based resources

	Finding God’s Values in Today’s World: A Pilgrimage for Understanding In December 2004, after the bitterly-contested presidential and congressional elections, Forest Hill Church, Presbyterian in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, perceived a partisan divide within its congregation. To dig deeper and to understand why the divide existed in the first place and, more importantly, to see if it could be bridged at least within our church community, a small but diverse group of members was invited to meet and talk about their values. These discussions provided clues that helped the participants discover what shaped their own and others' belief systems and, in turn, not only shed light on why the divisions existed but also led to discovery of beliefs held in common. While the Values Conversation began with an initial focus on addressing the political divisiveness in the 2004 General Election, it became a transformative journey for the participants, and it resulted in agreement on an Affirmation of Faith. A Values Conversation at Forest Hill Church, Presbyterian


	Staying Spiritually Alive for the Long Haul Peacemaking is not a task for a moment, nor is it a cause for a day. Peacemaking is a calling for our lifetime — following Jesus. How do we stay alive and engaged for the journey? Dick and Charlene Watts shared insights on that question at a training for presbytery peacemaking leaders. Download Staying Spiritually Alive for the Long Haul.


	PUNO Quick Guides to Quick Information The Presbyterian United Nations Office has developed several "Quick Guides" to help access information about different countries and different crises. These guides provide links to different Web sites, most of which are not sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). They focus on the UN system and represent only the first step to learning more about what's going on in the world. The United Nations Crises and Humanitarian Responses


	Peacemaking Scenes Through the Seasons These six, brief skits are designed to help Presbyterians lift up the 25th Anniversary of the peacemaking emphasis within the Presbyterian Church. They require only a few easily obtainable props and may be adapted to fit a variety of situations. Download this resource


	Faithful Living in a Time of Violence and Terrorism This six-session study (1 MB) explores the issues addressed in the Resolution on Violence, Religion, and Terrorism approved by the 216th General Assembly (2004). It includes options for use in a variety of settings. Power: A Bible Study of Mark 9:33-35 Living Faithfully in a Global Arena: Heresy and United States Foreign Policy Steps Along the Way: Living as Peacemakers in a Violent World Supplemental Readings Session 1: Jesus Reveals Both Divine and Human Nature Session 2: Once More Martha and Mary Session 3: Reflections on Jesus and Dysfunctional Families Session 4: How Much Is Enough Session 5: On Retributive Justice



	Publications

	Peacenotes Spring 2008 Winter 2008 Fall 2007 Summer 2007 Spring 2007 Winter 2007 Fall 2006 Summer 2006 Spring 2006 Winter 2006 Paths of Peace Fall 2006 web version Fall 2006 print version (1.23 MB) Spring 2006 Winter 2006 Fall 2005 Summer 2005



	Of special interest to college and seminary students Thinking about War and Peace The 215th General Assembly (2003) directed the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy to produce and distribute resources for college and seminary students on the morality, costs, and consequences of war in the light of the teachings of Jesus Christ as found in the whole of the Scriptures. Thinking about War and Peace as Followers of Jesus: Resources for College and Seminary Students Among such resources are: General Assembly statements available online PC(USA) resources available through PDS PC(USA) Web-based resources A Soldier Reflects Books Web sites Important phone number for those serving in the military


	PC(USA) General Assembly Statements Available Online Peacemaking: The Believers' Calling This resolution , adopted by the 192nd General Assembly (1980), established peacemaking as an emphasis of the church and led to the creation of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. Iraq: Our Responsibility and the Future (with study guide) This study paper (plus study guide) focuses on Iraq: Our Responsibility and the Future, a resolution adopted by the 216th General Assembly (2004). Iraq and Beyond This resolution was adopted by the 215th General Assembly (2003). Faithful Living in a Time of Violence and Terrorism This six-session study (1 MB) explores the issues addressed in the Resolution on Violence, Religion, and Terrorism approved by the 216th General Assembly (2004). It includes options for use in a variety of settings. Torture and Abuse of Prisoners This resolution was adopted by the 216th General Assembly (2004). On Preventing War Between the United States and Iraq This recommendation was made by the 214th General Assembly (2002).


	PC(USA) Resources Available through Presbyterian Distribution Services Presbyterians and Military Service This booklet examines options related to military service in question and answer form. Issues covered range from enlistment procedures related to the draft to an understanding of conscientious objection. PDS #7027005035. $.35 plus s/h. Iraq: Our Responsibility and the Future (with study guide) This study paper focuses on a resolution adopted by the 216th General Assembly (2004). The study stimulates reflection and discussion on "just war" and other principles of conscience concerning the military action in Iraq. PDS #6860005002. $4.00 plus s/h. Iraq and Beyond (with study guide) This study paper focuses on Iraq and Beyond, a resolution adopted by the 215th General Assembly (2003). PDS #6860003005. $3.00 plus s/h. Just Peacemaking This six-session study considers Just Peacemaking and the Call for International Intervention for Humanitarian Rescue, a resolution adopted by the 210th General Assembly (1998). PDS #7027002024. $4.95 plus s/h. Christian Obedience in a Nuclear Age A statement by the 200th General Assembly (1988) that explores the question of the morality of war, with the added dilemma of whether the existence of nuclear weapons has changed the nature of war in such a way as to reshape the Just War Principles. PDS #6860004003. $1.00 plus s/h. Christian Obedience in a Nuclear Age This book contains background study information on the statement. PDS # OGA88102. $2.00 plus s/h.


	PC(USA) Web-Based Resources Presbyterians and Military Service Series Resources on Military Service, the Draft and Conscientious Objection Enlistment Q&A The Draft Q&A Conscientious Objection Q&A Selective Conscientious Objection and Just War Principles Q&A This series contains leaflets exploring options related to military service ranging from enlisting to registering for the draft to conscientious objection status. They include many helpful contacts in order to find more information. More resources Helping Families Talk About War, Violence, and Terrorism The Human Effects of War A reflection by Rev. Ken Moe, Grand Canyon Presbytery. Discussing Tough Issues A resource to help congregations discuss issues around the conflict with Iraq. Implementing the Commitment to Peacemaking in a Time of War Power: A Bible Study of Mark 9:33-35 This one session study explores the understanding of power reflected in Jesus' words in Mark 9:33-35.


	A Soldier Reflects The following journal entries come from a young soldier deployed to Iraq during the early days of the war. He has shared his reflections, anonymously, so that others may know something of what young men and women in the military faced. Seychelles, Seychelles by the Seashore The Beginning and the End Such Is War Patrols Across the River The Children of Kabron An-Nasiryah These War Torn Streets


	Books Bainton, Roland H., Christian Attitudes toward War and Peace (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1979). Brueggemann, Walter. Peace (St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2001). Cahill, Lisa Sowle. Love Your Enemies: Discipleship, Pacifism, and Just War Theory (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Press, 1994). Long, Edward Leroy, Jr. Facing Terrorism: Responding as Christians (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004). Nelson-Pallmeyer, Jack. Saving Christianity from Empire (New York: Continuum Books, 2005). Wink, Walter. The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1998). Winn, Albert Curry. Ain't Gonna Study War No More: Biblical Ambiguity and the Abolition of War (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1993).


	Web sites Presbyterian Council for Chaplains and Military Personnel Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy Presbyterian Peacemaking Program Presbyterian Washington Office Presbyterian Peace Fellowship American Friends Service Committee: Youth and Militarism Program Center on Conscience & War Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors Christian Peacemaker Teams Fellowship of Reconciliation I Will Not Kill Nonviolent Peaceforce WCC Decade to Overcome Violence


	Important Phone Number for Those Serving in the Military Recognizing the stress placed on individuals serving in the military, a coalition of nonprofit, non-governmental organizations have created the GI Rights Hotline: (877) 447-4487 (877-GI RGHTS). The hotline provides information to members of the military about discharges, grievance and complaint procedures and other civil rights. Individuals who have enlisted in the armed forces and come to question that decision based on new understandings of faith may use the hotline or visit the GI Rights Hotline Web site.


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