peace

Playing together in God’s kingdom

Dear mother wearing the hijab in the children’s museum: As-salamu alaykum. Peace be upon you. When I have traveled to distant lands, hearing just one word in my cradle language has felt like having a familiar coat wrapped around me. So I speak peace to you.

Call to prayer for public accountability and good governance in South Africa

The South African Council of Churches (SACC) has joined with other civil society organizations across the country to call for the resignation of South African President Jacob Zuma. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recognizes the bold and prophetic witness of South African church leaders and encourages Presbyterians to pray fervantly for peace, public accountability, and good governance in South Africa and around the world.

International Peacemaker from Sri Lanka to address U.S. churches this fall

When the International Peacemakers begin their visits this fall in the U.S., churches will have a chance to hear about the life struggles of the people in Sri Lanka. Herman Kumara is a human rights defender who works primarily with food producers, specifically in small scale, marginalized fishing communities.

Hope and Forgiveness for Rwandan genocide victims and perpetrators

The Rev. Jerome Bizimana knows the work of forgiveness is “never easy.” This is especially true in Rwanda where 23 years ago, in April 1994, hatred between Hutu and Tutsi tribal groups led to genocide and the death of more than 800,000 Rwandans. Although it has been more than two decades, the wounds are still very much alive.

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship releases gun violence prevention toolkit

Today marks the third annual observance of National Gun Violence Awareness Day. As advocates remember the 138 mass shootings and 6,303 people who have been killed as a result of gun violence so far in 2017, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship has released its Gun Violence Prevention Congregational Toolkit.

California congregation commits to democracy, peace and human rights in Central Africa

Five representatives of the Congo Mission Team at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church (LOPC) recently traveled to Sacramento for a meeting with the staff of Kamala Harris, California’s new junior senator and former attorney general. They were joined by two members of Congo Prosperity Catalyst, a Bay Area organization for Congolese nationals in diaspora.

Presbyterian churches commemorate Self-Development of People Sunday on April 2

Each year, on a Sunday during Lent, Presbyterians take a day to celebrate the mission and ministry of the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP). For nearly 50 years SDOP has helped poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged communities by establishing partnerships within those communities to address issues such as mass incarceration, labor and worker rights, clean water and natural resources, youth empowerment, and ending the exploitation of immigrants.