wfn.org | Ecumenical conference calls for bold peacemaking

["Philip Jenks" <pjenks@ncccusa.org>]

>Ecumenical conference ends
>with call for bold peacemaking

>By Jordan Blevins

Philadelphia, January 20, 2009 - An ecumenical peace conference  concluded here Jan. 17 with a declaration of God's vision of peace for  the world, and direct action calling for an end to gun violence on the  streets of Philadelphia.

The gathering, Heeding God's Call: A Gathering on Peace, was convened by  historic Peace Churches: The Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the  Religious Society of Friends, the Church of the Brethren, and the  Mennonite Church USA.

More than 300 delegates spent the week worshiping, participating in  workshops, and focusing on what actions could be taken to bring God's  vision of peace to the world.

A statement from the group read, "Through prayerful worship and earnest  study of the scriptures, our Gathering listened to God.  We were  blessed with diverse participants, enthusiastic singing, and much  laughter.  Workshops and small groups resulted in new friendships and  fresh insights.  We were inspired by personal stories of people  transformed by the Spirit to walk hand in hand with those who suffer."
The gathering ended Friday night with worship and a reading of an  epistle to the world, calling for a new beginning in the work for God's  Peace.

"Awaken with us to this new opportunity to act as the united Body of  Christ, along with friends of peace everywhere, in a world desperately  in need of justice and peace.  Let us be bold.  Resist  disillusionment," the epistle declared.  "The Holy Spirit must rise up  in you and me to set all people free.  Our task is to practice hope  and to act as instruments of God's peace.   Peace will come when  people demand it and live it out."

The epistle was unanimously adopted by all the participants,  representing 23 different Christian communions. The full text, as well  as audio from the gathering, can be found at www.peacegathering2009.org.

Participants then moved to put their words into action, completing a  week of direct action against gun violence with worship, a march, and a  rally calling on gun shops in Philadelphia to sign a code of conduct  helping to prevent the illegal sale of handguns.  

Moving down Broad Street, the group of more than 300 sang songs, chanted  for an end to gun violence, and encouraged passing motorized to honk to  prevent gun violence. At the rally, Rev. Isaac Miller reminded  participants that this was the start of something new, a faith based  campaign to end gun violence, and to keep the energy going.

Participants left this gathering in Philadelphia with a message for  their communities and the world: "Specific peacemaking actions are  desperately needed in a world tormented by violence and oppression.   We implore friends of peace everywhere to heed God's call to  prayerfully, earnestly, deliberately take action to do justice, love  mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). "

Jordan Blevins is assistant director of the National Council of  Churches' eco-justice program in Washington.

NCC News contact:  Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2228, pjenks@ncccusa.org