Maritime Conference

Annual Meeting

(Sackville, NB)

The stage backdrop showed the crests of The United Church of Canada and Maritime Conference connecting with two world maps on either side. You'll note the peace doves flying around, all of which is being supported by God's people .
Conference President Barbara Rafuse produced a display of life in Maritime Conference. This board, one of three, noted copies of press clippings and photos of "United for Peace. "

The offering from the opening worship will be sent to United for Peace. People were very generous!

All the baskets were full of money and prayers for peace.

PICTOU UNITED CHURCH

(Nova Scotia)

UNITED FOR PEACEMUSICAL GATHERING

COFFEE HOUR

PEACE SONGS SELLING PINS
Brian Burris sent these lovely pictures with another idea to promote the United for Peace campaign. In the planning of this fun event everyone took part in the three actions !!!!!!!

Learn - Act - Give

- A musical program was planned at the church hall with lunch.

- A power point presentation on peace issues was displayed.

- United for Peace pins were sold.

- Donations to the cause were received

- Sharing of campaign information

ROCK CHAPEL UNITED CHURCH

(Hamilton Conference, Ontario)

When the United for Peace Fund was announced last fall, the congregation began its worship in a space that featured over 40 feet of blue fabric starting at the cross and flowing like a river of peace along one wall of the sanctuary and out the front doors! Every week, symbols were added to the wall - red poppies on Remembrance Day, white doves on Children's' Sunday and on the last Sunday of November 2007, we planted blue and white grape hyacinths outside by the front steps to symbolize our hope that peace will bloom in our world.

Two weeks ago (April 27th/08) the first flowers appeared and the youngest member, Matthew Bisbee stopped to see and smell them!



The blue fabric remained in place throughout Advent, anchoring our anticipation of Advent peace as well as hope, joy and love and reminding us that working for peace is an ongoing call for Jesus' disciples. It also remained through funerals and a baptism reminding all who gathered the the Prince of Peace is with us in our struggles and our celebrations!

Blessings!(Rev.) Tiina K. Cote
- Rock Chapel United Church just outside Hamilton, ON


Thank you for sharing another great idea, peace is flowing like a river!!! Pam

Please send your stories and pictures!!

Hi I'm Pam Harrison - just returned from China where I met this lady farmer. (she is only 51 but very aged from her very hard work to support her family) I want to tell you that when you give to The United Church of Canada, to support their international causes, it makes a BIG difference.
The "United for Peace" money is going to another part of the world but it will help greatly as we work with our many partners.
Please continue to send your stories and pictures to this blog so we can share with others. Pam

Ideas from Saskatchewan!!

Birch Hills, Crystal Springs,

Kinistino Pastoral Charge:

Birch Hills, Saskatchewan

* In November 2007 the United Church of Canada launched a two-year "United for Peace" campaign. We began our Pastoral Charge "United for Peace "campaign by selling wooden pins made in Bethlehem. We asked for a donation of $15.00 for each pin and a tax receipt of $10.00 was given.
* The second step of our campaign involves the free cookie cutters that have been given out. This step does not involve payment or collecting money. WE ASK EACH PERSON WHO HAS A COOKIE CUTTER TO MAKE SOME "PEACE DOVE"COOKIES FOR EASTER. The number you make is up to you. Then GIVE, a few cookies, along with an Easter card, (which we will supply), to FIVE people- friends, relatives, co-workers,- you decide who. We will deliver 5 special Easter cards to each one who has a cookie cutter by Sunday, March 9. We ask you to do the rest. Our purpose is simply to take our message of Easter Joy and Peace to those who receive the cards and cookies.
* Two more steps of this campaign are left to complete: a letter writing campaign in the fall of 2008; and a money donation in the spring of 2009.

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!

Trinity United Church, Lively, Ontario
If you're looking for news on "United for Peace," between a book sale and a (highly successful) pizza sale, our congregation has probably raised about $2700 for United for Peace. We're introducing the pins at the May 4th worship service, with the help of your excellent video!

THANK YOU

FOR YOUR GREAT IDEAS

Palgrave United Church, Caledon, Ontario

We are a small congregation, about 50 people, including children, gather weekly for worship. Last year we sold the pins ($10.00 each), as well as the cookie cutters and bags. We are a mostly young congregation, not much into making cookies, but we suggested the cutters themselves would make great ornaments when tied with a red ribbon and our Sunday School made wonderful "play-doh" dove Christmas ornaments covered with silver glitter using the cutters which we gave to all at Christmas.
This year (2008) we are collecting pennies on the last Sunday of each month - our "casual" Sunday when we do not wear choir robes or gowns - instead jeans, shorts, sweat pants, etc. are welcomed. We have a large glass container at the front and people were given small glass containers with United for Peace "tags" - (the thank you business size card that is available) that they fill each month with pennies - we have over $100. from our pennies by end of March so will continue to collect all year.
Hope these ideas help - we have encouraged the project at presbytery and presbyterial UCW as well and noted that it could be included as part of one's PAR givings.