Ten Ways to Use Your Visit to GA for Peace
1. Overtures & Policy Votes
See our list of peace overtures and policy proposals that the Peace Fellowship supports and will help to steward through the GA process. Thank you to all who wrote and advocated for these overtures in your presbyteries. As of April 24, virtually all of the overtures re-affirm or advance peacemaking commitments. There are a couple that appear problematic and that seem to contain contradictions. Click Here for analysis and overview of peace-related overtures.
2. Let’s work together
Commissioners, Advisory Delegates, GA visitors and all Peacemakers: if you have questions about or an interest in these overtures…if you are an advocate for a peace overture….if you know of other peace or anti-peace overtures or advocates… if you can help support these overtures in your presbytery and synod delegation to GA…if you need PPF’s help at GA, we want to be friends now! Please contact ppfwitness@gmail.com or call 520-780-6928
3. Updates & Communication
Between now and GA, the Peace Fellowship website will offer details and analysis on peace-related overtures and GA peace actions. Check it now, check it often. To send us information to post, contact matblac@gmail.com
4. Advocacy Coordination
At the GA in San Jose, PPF’er Marilyn White will coordinate our work in monitoring GA committees and overture/policy advocacy.
In providing expertise and support for GA overtures over the last 64 years, the Peace Fellowship has honed a balance of encouraging individual initiative, while providing necessary coordination and strategy. The international peace issues are complex and controversial. We work to make sure that information presented at GA is factually correct and theologically faithful. We pray that each commissioner will go home feeling that they helped their church answer this question: in a world as violent as ours, what would Jesus have us do? During the Assembly only, you can reach Marilyn at at the Peace Fellowship Booth #301 or at 512-450-2766, marwhite@igc.org
5. Press Conferences & Emergency Actions
PPF sponsors press conferences at GA as needed, especially to take advantage of the expertise of our June 25 Peace Breakfast speaker, the Peaceseeker Award winners and others present at GA. Look to PPF to facilitate actions at GA in response to emergencies, such as the long-monitored concern about a US-sponsored attack on Iran or other issues emerging June 21-28.
6. General Assembly Staff
Be sure to meet the denominational peacemaking staff at GA. If you ask them, they can provide expertise and perspective on the issues before GA and offer you peacemaking ideas to take home to your congregation, presbytery or campus.
7. PPF Booth Events
Visit PPF at Booth #301 in the Exhibit Hall. Click here for scheduled booth events. The booth also offers books, pamphlets, buttons, t-shirts, bumper stickers and information about our current Peace Fellowship Endowment Campaign.
8. www.JustPresbys.org
PPF co-sponsors this website with our progressive partners, which allows us to reach one another’s communities on GA-related issues. You will find information here on justice issues, peace, environment, inclusion and more. www.justpresbys.org.
9. Simple Conversation.
Let’s talk together. PPF members, staff and folks on our National Committee will be available for you.
If you are wrestling with what the Bible says about war…
if you need to talk about conscientious objection in the armed forces…
if you want to learn about the Colombia Accompaniment Program…
if you have concerns about the work of PPF…
if you have suggestions or comments…
Let’s talk. Stop by Booth #301 in the Exhibit Area.
10. Join the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship!
Be part of this living legacy of Presbyterians who trust in the nonviolence of Jesus Christ. For 64 years, the PPF has called our church be both a practical and a prophetic voice for peace in the world. Join at the booth or at our Wed. June 25 Peace Breakfast.
