Women as Peacebuilders

Mennonite Central Committee invites congregations to observe Peace Sunday on November 6, 2016 -- close to Remembrance Day -- or another appropriate Sunday. For Anabaptist churches, it is a time to remember that followers of Jesus are called to be people of peace.  Remembrance Day is a time when our country focuses attention on Canada’s military history and the sacrifice of Canadians who gave their lives in war.

This year’s Peace Sunday Packet focuses on the theme of “Women as Peacebuilders”.  It includes:

     - biblical reflections

     - worship resources (prayers, readings, a reader's theatre and a story for children)

     - stories of ten courageous women building peace

     - background information

CLICK HERE for more information or to 

DOWNLOAD the Peace Sunday Packet.

(Information from the MCC website)

Remembrance Day, November 11, 2014

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is a worldwide ministry of Anabaptist churches, sharing God's love and compassion for all in the name of Christ by responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice.

Starting on Nov 1 and in the days leading up to Remembrance Day, MCC is sharing stories of peace on Facebook.  These stories are part of their 30 page resource called "Peace Sunday Packet". 

The stories are of people resisting war, making peace in the midst of war, and practicing alternatives to war and violence. Some of them are about the First and Second World Wars, and others are more recent. Some of them are about Mennonites and Brethren in Christ, but many are not. Some stories are about Mennonite Central Committee partners building peace in different parts of the world." 

International Day of Peace - Sunday September 21

In 2002, the United Nations declared September 21 as International Day of Peace  --- a day for all peoples and all nations to commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace. Subsequently, in 2006 the Peace Commission of the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) decided to encourage member churches to observe Peace Sunday on the Sunday closest to September 21.  And for the past several years, MWC has been preparing resource materials to use on Peace Sunday.  This year’s materials are prepared by Canadian Lois Siemens, pastor of the Superb Mennonite Church in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan.  From a post by Esther Epp-Tiessen at the Ottawa MCC Office.

Remembrance Day

On Remembrance Day our nation invites us to reflect on the wartime sacrifice of soldiers.  Many Anabaptist churches, as peace churches, choose to observe Peace Sunday as a way of recalling their identity as peace churches, as well as to offer a witness against war and violence.

MCC’s Peace Sunday Packet is intended to help churches plan a Peace Sunday worship service, as well as engage in peace action and witness.  It is intended for use on November 3 or 10, prior to Remembrance Day, or some other appropriate time.  This year’s packet -- Ambassadors of Reconciliation -- is inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:17-20.  Click here for more information.  

--from MCC Canada's website

A call to end the violence in Syria

From an MCC Ontario release on August 31, 2013

As we gather as  faith communities let us remember our sisters and brothers in Syria, and the thousands who have fled to neighbouring Lebanon. Our MCC workers in the region continue to work with local churches and other religious leaders to respond to emergency needs, and to build peace where there are glimmers of opportunity.   (Rick Cober Bauman, MCC Ontario Executive Director) 

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. 

--Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mennonite Central Committee urgently calls on all governments and parties to the conflict to end the violence in Syria. We condemn in the strongest terms all forms of violence and war, including missile strikes, use of chemical weapons, targeted acts of violence against civilians, conventional warfare and suicide bombings. 

Further militarization of the conflict will only increase the suffering of the Syrian people and the shattering of Syrian society. 

We call on all nations to immediately end shipments of military equipment and arms to the Syrian government and to rebel groups, and to increase contributions of food and other humanitarian assistance to civilians in all areas of Syria and to Syrian refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries, and their host communities.

We call on the international community, and Syrians from all sides, to negotiate with urgency and seriousness an inclusive political solution to the crisis, guaranteeing the rights of all Syrians. 

In the name of Christ, we pray and work for peace in Syria.

Prayer for Peace

With Christmas just over a month away, many of us have already started decorating our homes and thinking of what this Christmas season will hold for us.   As we hear reports of the unrest and tragic loss of life in the middle East we cringe knowing that many of the places we so deeply associate with the birth of the Prince of Peace are ringing with air raid sirens, not carols of the infant king. How do we celebrate the One who came to dwell among us, when missiles level the dwellings of our sisters and brothers? The following prayer was written by Rick Cober Bauman (Executive Director of MCC Ontario) late last Saturday night after an especially grim newscast.  Thankfully all MCC workers and partners are unharmed, but deeply concerned that conditions may worsen.  And when your prayer ends, and you return to thinking about Christmas, reach for the MCC Christmas Giving Catalogue, "Gifts of Love and Compassion". Choose ways to share the Love of Christ even in the face of war.    Prayer for Peace from a Distance Lord of Heaven and Earth, even from a distance, we sense the blast of missiles and the stench of explosions. Yet we cling to your promise of peace.  Lord of Heaven and Earth, even from a distance, we feel the loss of children and mothers. Yet we hold to your promise of never leaving us.  Lord of Heaven and Earth, even from a distance we pray that all your children from Gaza to Syria, from Cairo to Jerusalem may sleep unafraid. Yet we lament the tanks, and rifles and warplanes that explode the night with terror.  Lord of Heaven and Earth, even from a distance we can hope, because we pray, that your peace will prevail, that your people will choose life, true life in you, Giver of all Life.  Amen  Rick Cober Bauman Executive Director, MCC Ontario rickcb@mennonitecc.on.ca