Presbyterian Peacemaking Program Archives

Peacemaker hopes Presbyterians will open their hearts to refugees

Posted August 22nd, 2016

In September of 2015, thousands of Syrian refugees found themselves stranded at a Budapest train station, making their way across Hungary toward the Austrian border. For most, the travel had been difficult as they were turned away from other countries or settled in communities that were not very welcoming.

Armenian struggles are topic of peacemaker visits this fall

Posted August 15th, 2016

For Dr. Tamar Wasoian, the historic genocide of the Armenian people between 1915 and 1918 is more than just a history lesson. Her grandparents escaped the killings of Armenian, Greek and Assyrian Christians in Asia Minor by Ottoman Turkey and relocated to Aleppo.

Nigerien peacemaker balances church and government work

Posted August 9th, 2016

Isaaka Moussa has a tough job. He finds himself walking a tightrope, balancing his work in justice and human rights with the ongoing conflicts between Christian and Islamic groups in Niger.

Ghanaian Presbyterian Minister is Among International Peacemakers Visiting this Fall

Posted July 18th, 2016

August 12, 2016 Rev. Gladys Lariba Mahama has a big job. She is a minister with the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, serving five congregations spread across the upper eastern region…. Read more »

Ghanaian Presbyterian minister is among International Peacemakers visiting this fall

Posted July 1st, 2016

The Rev. Gladys Lariba Mahama has a big job. She’s a minister with the Presbyterian Church of Ghana serving five congregations spread across the upper east region. She is also the women’s coordinator for the Northern Presbytery and a social worker. Her work keeps her busy but the impact is rewarding.

Presbyterian Peacemaking Program hosts gun violence prevention discussion at General Assembly

Posted June 21st, 2016

The statistics surrounding gun violence deaths in the United States are staggering. According to the PEW Research Center, more than 30,000 people are killed by firearms each year in this country. More than 30 are shot and murdered each day and half of them are between the ages of 18 and 35. Homicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds and the primary cause of death among African Americans of that age group.

Mosaic of Peace Conference leaves lasting impact on participants

Posted May 26th, 2016

When you sign up to take part in the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program’s Mosaic of Peace Conference, don’t expect a simple tour of historic Biblical sights and generic narrative about the history of the region. Many of those who recently traveled to the Middle East will tell you the conference can be a wake up call.

Pennsylvania church inspired by peacemaker visits

Posted April 27th, 2016

While state and national government leaders debate on the acceptance of refugee families, Weisiger says it didn’t take long for her church and five others to begin work to resettle families in their community. Community connections were made as a result of peacemaker visits that have enabled the church to continue engaging in the work of peacemaking in their own backyard. The Peacemaking Program connected the church not just to the wider church, but to refugee resettlement agencies and interfaith organizations engaged in peacemaking in the heart of Philadelphia.

PC(USA) Mosaic of Peace conference visits Israel and Palestine

Posted April 14th, 2016

Group asked to accompany region’s Christians in their suffering and hope by Scott O’Neill | Presbyterian News Service For the past week a group of Presbyterians have been witnessing for peace… Read more »

Presbyterian Peacemaking Program shares the story of a peacemaker

Posted February 12th, 2016

Along the way Kathy nurtured partnerships and continued to build connections with others, leading her to participate, plan, worked behind the scenes at the Peacemaking Conferences. The Peacemaking conference has nurtured three generations of the Runyeon family as they educated themselves and those around about injustice, violence and what people can do to work for peace at home and abroad.