wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] NCC peace curriculum has a Presbyterian pedigree

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ECUNET.ORG>]

Note #8987 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

05575
Oct. 25, 2005

Putting peace on churches' agenda

NCC's new curriculum has a Presbyterian pedigree

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE - What is the appropriate role of the United States as a global
citizen? Is it fear that drives our foreign policy? Is our strength as a
nation in military or economic power - or in cherished cultural values? What
does our faith teach us about our behavior in the world? 

	Those are some of the questions addressed by a new Christian
Curriculum on International Relations just released by the National Council
of Churches (NCC).

	The curriculum, titled For the Peace of the World, has Presbyterian
fingerprints all over it:

	The development of the six-session study guide was spearheaded by the
Rev. Eileen Lindner, a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister who serves as
the NCC's associate general secretary for research and planning. It was
written by Presbyterian elder Peggy L. Shriver in consultation with her
husband, the Rev. Donald Shriver. The section dealing with its Biblical
foundations was written by the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the
PC(USA) General Assembly, and the Rev. William H. Hopper Jr., a retired
Presbyterian minister who lives in in Duarte, CA.  

	The 87-page book was edited by Antonios Kireopoulos, the council's
associate general secretary for international affairs.
"I'd like a million copies of this out in the hands of adult Sunday school
classes and youth groups," said NCC General Secretary Bob Edgar, a Methodist
minister and former U.S. Congressman. "I'd like a controversy to occur ...
inside those churches about what our place is in the world. I'd like
curiosity to begin to say, 'What is the faith community's worldview today?'"

	The curriculum, designed for adult and young adult church school
classes, retreats and study groups of youths and others in congregations,
address these topics:

Is America Number One?

Fear, Security and Love

Is America God's Favorite Nation?

Poverty in a Rich World

Self-Interest and World Citizenship

Preventing War With Peace

	"We often take our positions on current events without exploring the
basic assumptions that quietly shape our opinions," Peggy Shriver said. "The
purpose of this series is to engage in sustained, honest discussion about
America's encounter with the rest of the world."
 
	Appendices include practical suggestions about how citizens can make
a difference in the world and an extensive list of Internet links and
peace-related worship resources from Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican,
Peace Church, mainline and historic black church traditions.

	For the Peace of the World is available by mail from Friendship
Press, 7820 Reading Road, Cincinnati OH 45237; by phone (toll-free) at (800)
889-5733; by fax at (513) 761-3722; or by email at Rbray@gbgm-umc.org. The
cost is $7.95 plus shipping and handling.

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