14 September 2009
Churches offer resources for Peacemaking Sunday - September 20
Church leaders are being encouraged to mark The International
Day of Peace on Peacemaking Sunday using worship resources provided
by The Baptist Union of Great Britain, The Methodist Church and the
United Reformed Church.
The three Churches have put together prayers, hymns, readings and
images in order to help people think about peace. (To download the
pack click
here.)
The union of prayer and hope, known as Peacemaking Sunday, will
take place the day before the United Nations International Day of
Peace on September 21.
The International Day of Peace calls for a global ceasefire and
offers communities the opportunity to commemorate and strengthen
the ideals of peace.
Revd David Gamble, President of the Methodist Conference, said: "I
think the name 'Peacemaking Sunday' is very significant. Peace
doesn't just happen, it has to be made and we all have to work for
it. Therefore, a Sunday to remind us that this is the case and a
Sunday when we consciously place ourselves alongside others
committed to peace can only be a good thing. But while a special
Sunday can be helpful, peace will only come if we are committed to
it every day of the year; in our prayers, in our relationships, in
our communities and in our world."
The three denominations have called upon churches to hold peace
services and to pray for those in areas of violence such as Iraq,
Sudan, Afghanistan, Israel and Palestine. Peace workers and victims
of religious attacks in Pakistan will also be held in prayer.
Revd Jonathan Edwards, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of
Great Britain, said: "The appalling death toll in Iraq and
especially Afghanistan bring issues of peace into sharp focus this
year. Peacemaking Sunday gives us a great opportunity to reflect
and pray on our calling to follow in the footsteps of the Prince of
Peace. The Joint Public Issues Team has produced some excellent
resources to help us as we mark Peacemaking Sunday and I hope that
every church will make use of them."
The Baptist Union of Great Britain, The Methodist Church and the
United Reformed Church have spoken out against a replacement of the
Trident nuclear deterrent arguing that now is the time to start
working towards a world without nuclear weapons. American President
Barak Obama supported the views held by the churches on nuclear
weapons in Prague in April, stating that America was committed to
seeking "the peace and security of a world without nuclear
weapons".
Andrew Jack, Convener of the United Reformed Church Peace
Fellowship, said: "We welcome this initiative in highlighting
Peacemaking Sunday. Peacemaking should be the vocation of all
Christians - indeed it should be at the core of all Christian
activity. That was Jesus' clear command to all who follow
him."