wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Stated clerk touts 'Decade to Overcome Violence'

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Note #8218 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Stated clerk touts 'Decade to Overcome Violence'
04208
May 4, 2004

Stated clerk touts 'Decade to Overcome Violence'

Global peace a fitting Pentecost theme, Kirkpatrick says

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE - The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, the stated clerk of the General
Assembly, is urging Presbyterians to incorporate concerns about global
violence into their observance of Pentecost this year.

The Pentecost message of God's transforming power matches the current "Decade
to Overcome Violence" (DOV) emphasis of the World Council of Churches (WCC),
Kirkpatrick wrote in a May 3 letter to all Presbyterian Church (USA)
congregations.

In his letter, Kirkpatrick outlined some of the DOV-related activities being
organized by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.

The full text of the letter:

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ. I hope that the joy of the
risen Christ is being experienced in abundant ways in your own lives and the
life of your congregation.

As we approach Pentecost, I am writing to invite you to join churches across
the United States in reflecting on the meaning of this season in relation to
the Decade to Overcome Violence (2001-2010): Churches Seeking Reconciliation
and Peace. The Decade was declared by the World Council of Churches (WCC) to
address the endemic violence throughout the world, in all its forms and on
all levels of society, and to challenge churches to witness more clearly to
the redeeming, healing, just, and merciful ministry of Christ, working toward
building cultures of peace.

For 2004, the annual theme of the Decade is "The Power and Promise of Peace,"
and the geographical focus is the United States. The U.S. was chosen for many
reasons, including the enormous global influence of our country, our deep
historical struggle with violence, and the greater prominence of churches in
the U.S. in comparison to many parts of the world. The hope is to give a
fuller, global witness to the work of U.S. churches for justice, peace, and
reconciliation, as well as to encourage peace and justice ministries by our
churches.

Our own Presbyterian Peacemaking Program is taking the lead in interpreting
the Decade's focus on the U.S. this year. Included in the plans are a young
adult travel study seminar, a peace and justice conference, and the
Interfaith Listening Project. I encourage you to learn more about these and
other important opportunities by visiting their Web site at
www.pcusa.org/peacemaking and clicking on the Decade to Overcome Violence
icon.

"The Power and Promise of Peace" is certainly a fitting theme in relation to
Pentecost. The Holy Spirit moved at the first Pentecost, bringing together
people from all around the world and demonstrating the transforming power of
the gospel in that time and place. Today, may we be open to that same power
and promise of God's peace through the Holy Spirit, so that we ourselves
might be renewed in hope and, in turn, witness to that hope of justice and
peace to citizens in our country and across the whole world.

Cordially yours,

Clifton Kirkpatrick
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly

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