United for Peace

2009-02-08T23:15:00.003-04:00

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS - this is the railing at the front of the Joggins United Church in Joggins, Nova Scotia. On Sunday Feb 8th the name of Sean Greenfield was added to the 108 white paper peace doves. Each paper peace dove bears the name of a Canadian Soldier who died in Afghanistan close by a red Poppy has been placed to celebrate their lives - 108 names on peace doves and more will be added when necessary.

God calls upon us to love one another, each of us can be a peacemaker by the way we live our lives and treat others. Peace is a way of life!!!

2008-11-03T22:45:00.005-04:00

United for Peace

'Sweet Treats'

All their guests received a dish of ice-cream with a peace dove shaped sugar cookie placed on the side. This was the perfect sweet to finish off the church luncheon.
. The United Church Women of Bridgewater United Church in Nova Scotia hosted a soup luncheon to raise funds for United for Peace. In addition they have also sold pins and raised approximately $2,000.00 to support the campaign. Thanks to Ruth Rudderham for this story and pictures.

2008-10-28T17:56:00.005-03:00

The PEACE POLE at Mount Joy United Church

(Timmins, Ontario)

This is a wonderful idea to publicise the congregation's effort to promote peace. Using words and flags they have clearly stated PEACE in 17 languages. The words were then put onto pieces of wood in languages such as Hebrew, Finnish, Cree, French and Italian, along with English, to help spread the word."It was important to us as the campaign began that we have the languages of the different people in this community on the peace pole," said Pastor Darlene Hardy.
Thanks to Bill and Darlene Hardy for the photo.

2008-09-30T15:32:00.004-03:00

United for Peace - unique idea!

Congratulations to the congregation of Mountjou United Church in Timmins, ON. The new PEACE POLE stands proudly outside the door of the church.
Parishioners of the church were asked to pick a word for peace in several different languages to display on the pole located outside the church doors.
The peace pole is not just about creating awareness in the community, but also a fundraiser to help the United Church of Canada's "United for Peace" project reach its $2-million goal to support peace projects around the world.
Hardy said those who participated in decorating the peace pole each paid $5. Church members have also sold peace pins and plan to bake peace cookies in the shape of a dove, the symbol for peace.
"We want to promote peace around the world and in the community," said Hardy.
"We live in a world of so much unrest and peace begins with each one of us individually."
The United for Peace campaign was officially launched in November 2007 with the goal of raising $2 million to support peace initiatives in Palestine and Israel. That goal was expanded to include projects around the world.
As money is received, 50 per cent will go toward the original project locations in Palestine and Israel, with the rest going to other initiatives around the world. The idea of the campaign is grounded in the fact that there cannot be peace without justice in the world.
In 2003, the United Church named six core pillars that sustain peace and justice -- equitable global economic development, promotion of human rights, democratic governance, a healthy, sustainable physical environment, war prevention and peace building, and arms control and disarmament agreements.
"We just need to promote peace," said Hardy. "Peace among us and peace around us.
Before Sunday's service began, the church's parishioners stood by the peace pole for an official dedication and prayer for peace.
Besides the upcoming sale of cookies, the church will also be displaying a peace tree this Christmas, decorated with handmade and purchased dove ornaments.

Congratulations to your congregation for this very creative idea.

2008-09-18T21:30:00.012-03:00

CHIGNECTO Presbytery, Maritime Conference

'United for Peace' Display

As I looked toward the back of the church hall; I rushed over to see the bright blue doves. They were so beautiful, up to this point most everyone is making 'white peace doves'. (click on the picture for a closer look.)
Artist’s Statement -
This hand-dyed batik paper was designed for the United Church peace dove project. I choose the color blue to represent the sky. The circles of dots represent growth and strength. Four layers of dye and three layers of hot beeswax are used to build this pattern up from an original white piece of Japanese ori masa paper.
Amber Friedman
Gr8fulSoul@aol.com
1 506 785 4643

A sheet is $25.00 and you can cut 63 paper doves from one sheet. Each dove may be sold for $1.00 resulting in a profit of $38.00 per sheet. Wonderful and unique fund raising idea.

The blue doves are beautiful. Placed on a white twig tree with white mini lights they are lovely decorations.

Chignecto Presbytery, Maritime Conference, continues to sell cookies at their meetings with all the profits going to United for Peace. A donation of $65.00 will be forwarded by Betty Jean to the United for Peace Campaign from the sale of 44 dozen cookies prepared by a neighbourhood bakery, The Cook Nook, Richibucto. Three pastoral charges bought 30 dozen cookies and will be selling cookies at a $2.00/dozen mark-up raising another $60.00 for the campaign. Thank you for your efforts to raise awareness about peace. Betty-Jean Friedman

2008-09-18T21:30:00.003-03:00

UNITED FOR PEACE

Sunday, Sept 14, 2008

Parrsboro United Church, Nova Scotia

Rev Sandra Riddell welcomed Peter Davison as the guest speaker at their special worship service - UNITED FOR PEACE. Peter is a well know teacher in the Halifax area and has written books of peace for youth. He was nominated for a United Nations Award and was written up in the Oprah magazine. He said, "peace and war both start in the same place" and went on to tell stories to make his point.
The bulletin contained information on the two year campaign. Special envelopes were included for an additional offering.

Everyone received a white peace dove to place on a tree at the front of the church. During the month of August a little girl sat in church every Sunday and cut out the paper doves. She decorated them and added a ribbon. We all signed our names on the doves as a commitment to peace.

2008-06-01T20:20:00.004-03:00

MARITIME CONFERENCE

ANNUAL MEETING

United for Peace Workshop

(click on the pictures to read the signitures)

Individuals who attended the United for Peace workshop on Saturday May 31st gathered to discuss how congregations in Maritime Conference will become involved - it was agreed that we need to 'pray for peace every day'. All who attended signed the poster.
Everyone wrote their name and pastoral charge on a white peace dove. These doves will be added to the doves in the Joggins United Church. Note the gift bag - it was suggested as a decoration or maybe away to give a gift to a guest speaker. Pins and cookie cutters were sold at the book display areas.

Pam Harrison showed a power point presentation sharing good ideas from across Canada. These United Church folks will take back ideas to their congregations.

- To act

- To learn

- To give

2008-05-29T23:22:00.005-03:00

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.

2008-05-27T16:51:00.003-03:00

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

2008-05-14T06:49:00.005-03:00

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

2008-05-03T07:46:00.002-03:00

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

2008-05-03T07:33:00.003-03:00

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.

2008-05-03T07:28:00.002-03:00

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!

2008-05-03T07:21:00.002-03:00

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.

2008-04-08T22:40:00.010-03:00

A GREAT IDEA !!!

(cookies with sight and made with Splenda!)

The Bird of Paradise

is Coming to

Chignecto Presbytery …..

Dove of Peace cookies will be available for purchase
All proceeds go to "United For Peace" Campaign

Individual cookies …
splendid, SPLENDA doves homemade by June MacEachern and sold individually for a minimum donation of $0.50 each – supplies are limited……
flightless sugar doves handmade by the Cook Nook Bakery, Richibucto sold individually for a minimum donation of $0.50 each –

Buy by the Dozen … pre-ordered ONLY ($4.00/dozen)
flightless sugar doves handmade by the Cook Nook Bakery, Richibucto
could be available by the dozen if pre-ordered. You can sell them on Sunday, April 20th at your church without baking and make a local contribution to the United For Peace Campaign

Orders taken by e-mail to Gr8fulSoul@aol.com or 785-4643

– Betty-Jean Friedman … no later than FRIDAY, April 11, 2008

See you April 16th at St. Paul’s United Church, Riverview, NB …..

(The above notice was sent to all members of Chignecto Presbyter in Maritime Conference. )

2008-03-31T09:20:00.005-03:00

UNITED FOR PEACE

This week I visited St. Andrews United Church in Truro, Nova Scotia and saw this lovely banner hanging in their entrance way with many other beautiful banners. I'm inspired to share this, as an idea, to enhance the United for Peace campaign. People express their concerns for peace in many ways - maybe making a special "UNITED FOR PEACE" banner would work in your pastoral charge.

Click on the banner, note the wording and the special peace greetings on every bird. Please show this to people who use their creative gifts of design to make our world a more beautiful place.

We will establish a special place on this blog called BANNERS, the purpose will be to display all banners. May I suggest that we show the banners, one picture of the individuals involved and a brief story of each banner.

Let's make it a banner year for " UNITED FOR PEACE ".

2008-03-13T20:40:00.011-03:00

UNITED FOR PEACE

Staff at the General Council Office in Toronto launched the United for Peace campaign on Wednesday, November 7, 2007. A chapel service included an inspiring reflection from Nora Carmi, visiting from Sabeel, a partner organization working for a just peace in Palestine.

The chapel service was followed by a gathering in the dining room, where people sang peace songs, decorated dove cookies, and talked more with Nora and each other. Nora Sanders and Bruce Gregersen joined in the action - results below!!!!
"Hey, hey good lookin, What's ya got cookin?" remember that song. From shore to shore to shore, United Church people are making 'peace dove cookies' as part of the United for Peace gatherings. Mary Francis Denis gets into the action.

Sarah Shepherd bakes 30 cookies to a sheet and invites others to decorate in a creative and fun manner. They look like sugar cookies, please share your favourite recipes!!

RESULTS - great looking cookies !!!!!

Thanks for your inspiration!!!!

2008-03-10T12:36:00.001-03:00

What does United for Peace look like through the eyes of a child?

2008-03-10T09:16:00.003-03:00

UNITED FOR PEACE pin

(The following wording was printed on a card and given to all who wear the pin, please feel free to copy this. ) Maritime Conference Office

"Let us then pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding." (Romans 14:19)

This pin is carved from olivewood in and near Bethlehem. Olive trees are considered sacred in Palestine. People consider their trees to be part of their families. The older trees have names and stories told about them. Wood is taken from the tree very carefully, so as not to damage the trees. The fasteners on the pin come from an Israeli workshop in Jerusalem. The sharing of skills and resources to make this beautiful pin is seen by the artisan as "symbolic of the symbiotic relationship that can exist between Arab and Jew in the Holy Land."

Financial donations for the pin support efforts for peace in the Middle East and around the world. Wearing this pin is a prayer for peace and a reminder that efforts for peace begin with each of us in our own homes and neighbourhoods.

2008-03-09T23:45:00.008-03:00

A "Peace Concert" was hosted in

River Hebert United Church - hall with guest choirs from Brookdale and Parrsbro. (Maritime Conference) They gathered in a circle of PEACE and were invited to greet others with these peace words from other nations.
Saying "PEACE" around the world: Amani (Swahili), Beke (Hungarigan) , Fred (Normegian) Heddwich (Welsh), Nabada (Somali), Paix (French), Paz (Spanish) and Shalom (Hebrew)

The evening began with telling the story of the beautiful "United for Peace" pins using the DVD from Spirit Connection, resulting in a sell out of the pins. 20 more people to wear the pins and promote peace. They used the lovely prayers from the United for Peace worship materials.

Terry plays the drum for PEACE!!!!

May we offer these suggestions from "More Voices"
- #122 This is the Day
- #221 I Am Walking a Path of Peace
- # 154 Deep In Our Hearts
- # 79 Spirit, Open My Heart
- #12 Come Touch Our Hearts
- # 40 Never Ending Joy

From "Voices United"
- # 684 Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
- # 356 Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God
- # psalm 42 As the Deer Pants for the Water

Other specials were offered from other favourite music.

The Peace of Christ Be With YOU!!!

2008-03-04T11:55:00.004-04:00

UNITED FOR PEACE

Pictou United Church, NS

March 2nd , 2008

The Sunday worship service at Pictou United Church ( Maritime Conference) focused on the 'United for Peace" campaign. Rev Mary Beth Moriarity carefully planned the service and included the DVD from Spirit Connection that tells the story of the making of the 'United for Peace' pins in Israel. These beautiful olive wood pins can be sold as a fund raiser, a $2 million campaign goal which ends on December 31st, 2009.

http://www.united-church.ca/getinvolved/unitedforpeace/video_pins .

Donna Weaver told the story of SADAKO. People gathered at the front of the church and listened and learned. The church was decorated with colourful Peace Doves. Every pew and all the light fixtures displayed beautifully hand made paper doves.

Learn, act and give - great ideas and congratulations to all at Pictou United Church!

2008-02-07T20:34:00.000-04:00

The Gifts and Giving of Maritime Conference are pleased to encourage all pastoral charges in their region to become involved in the United for Peace Campaign. BACK ROW - Brad Wood, Barb Kelley, Barb Sinclair, Margaet Anne Dodson, Carrie McCully FRONT ROW - Laura Hunter, Rita Manuel, Pam Harrison, Michael Ball.

Over the next 12 months committee members will visit all prespyteries to share ideas on ways to get involved.

2008-02-04T09:37:00.000-04:00

United for Peace presentation to the Brookfield UCW.

(see pictures below)

This group of very active UCW members gathered for their January meeting, the program's purpose was to explore the 'United for Peace' campaign and get involved. They discussed ways to LEARN - get speakers / follow media stories / etc. ACT - they discussed possible actions to extablish a Department of Peace with the Canadian Government. GIVE - they will plan an event and use the 'United For Peace' materials - envelopes and handouts, etc.

They placed an order for the cookie cutter (15) at $1.00 each. This will result in lots of fun times as they serve peace dove cookies to each other at meetings and to their many guests. When an idea is placed in the midst of these ladies it always translates into something very GOOD!!!

They conducted a wonderful worship and shared the scripture of the 'Peaceful Kingdom'. The Story "Of War and Roses" by Carol McAdoo Rehme came from the book "Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul" Page 263. Great story and tells of one man's efforts to create a rose - you must read it to appreciate its full impact.

Praying for peace and thanking God for the peace in our own lives is something we all can do.

2008-02-03T20:12:00.000-04:00

We would like to thank Jean Hamilton, Brookfield, NS for providing the following worship materials that may be used during Lent.

The Brookfield United Church's Lenten candles are arranged in a circle, with the Christ candle in the centre. At the end of the Good Friday service, the Christ candle is extinguished, and remains dark until Easter Sunday, when it is lit with the proclamation, "Christ is risen!" to which the congregation responds, "He is risen indeed."

First Sunday in Lent 2008
Be still…and listen.

Voice 1:
This is a reading from the Hebrew scriptures:

And Elijah came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks to pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him.

Voice 2:
In the busy-ness and noise of our lives, we have often forgotten to be still and listen to the voice of God in the silence. (extinguishes candle).

Prayer:
Quiet God, even when we are still, our heads are filled with the many voices that make demands on us, and our own anxiety and guilt. It is hard to hear your voice in all this noise. Help us to learn to be still and listen. Amen.

Second Sunday of Lent
Be still ........ and listen

Voice 1:
This is a reading from Psalm 19:

The heavens are telling the glory of God;
And the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard:
Yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.

This is the voice of creation, the “music of the spheres.”

Voice 2:
We have not listened to the voice of creation. (extinguishes candle.)

Prayer (all)
Creator God, your voice speaks to us in all of creation: plants and animals that are becoming extinct; rivers and lakes that are too polluted to drink, forests cut down to satisfy our wasteful ways. Teach us to be still and listen to the quiet voices of nature, and hear what they are telling us. Amen.

Third Sunday in Lent 2008
Be still…and listen.

Voice 1:
Jesus was a great story teller. He understood that people of all ages learn by listening to stories.
“A man had two sons…”
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed.,,”
“A sower went forth to sow...”
We remember the stories.
And we can learn about other people by listening to their stories, but sometimes this takes more time, or more patience, or more energy than we think we have. And so we react on first impressions, and often we judge wrongly.

Voice 2:
We have not listened carefully to other people’s stories. (Extinguishes candle.)

Prayer (all):
Listening God, we confess that we have not taken the time to listen to others’ stories. We are quick to judge, but slow to understand. Grant us the grace of stillness, so that we may listen and hear and learn . Amen.

Fourth Sunday in Lent 2008
Be still…and listen

Voice 1:
This week we are going to think about listening to those who have no voice. There are many people who cannot be heard because they have no power and no-one to speak for them. These are the poor, the homeless, children left alone by war or disease.

Voice 2:
We have not listened to those who cannot speak for themselves. (extinguishes candle.)

Prayer:
God of the still small voice, you came into the world as a helpless baby, and in Jesus, you cared for the poor, the sick, and the voiceless. In the clamour of voices in this world, it is hard for us to hear these children of yours. Help us to learn to be still and listen, and to hear your voice in their need. In Jesus name, Amen.

Fifth in Lent 2008
Be still…and listen.

Voice 1:
When Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem for the Passover, he had been trying to make the disciples understand what was going to happen there, but they didn’t listen, because they didn’t want to hear . One day he took three of them up on the mountain to pray, and while they were there, they saw Moses and Elijah speaking with Jesus. The story tells us that they were terrified and didn’t know what to say. Then God spoke from a cloud and said, “This is my beloved son, listen to him.” Through Lent, we have been talking about being still, and listening. God said that of all the voices trying to be heard, this is the one we should listen to.

Voice 2:
We have not listened to the words that Jesus speaks to us. (extinguishes candle.)

Prayer:
Loving God, like the disciples, we do not want to hear this story which seems to end on a cross. Help us to understand. Teach us to be still and listen to the One who comes to meet us in the stories, healing the sick, comforting the grieving, blessing the children and the poor. Go with us to Jerusalem, and give us understanding, courage, and peace. Amen.

Palm Sunday 2008
Be still…and listen

Voice 1:
Actions speak louder than words. When Jesus entered Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday, the crowds were shouting and laying palm branches at his feet, hailing him as a hero. But Jesus does not come riding on a horse, the symbol of warfare and kings. He comes riding on a donkey, the symbol of poverty and humility. This simple act of his speaks louder to our listening ears than the roars of the crowd. Listen to him.

Voice 2:
We have not listened to Jesus message of humility. (extinguishes candle.)

Prayer:
God of surprises, you came into the world as a baby in a stable, helpless and poor. Your Son, the beloved one, came into Jerusalem to face his accusers riding on a donkey, one of the humble people. He came, in the midst of noise, bringing a message of peace. Help our world to hear him. Amen.

2008-01-23T12:49:00.000-04:00

UNITED FOR PEACE

On the church bulletin board we see 'United for Peace' and it should call each of us to an action. Here is a story of some United Church people's action to a lady that lives a life of peace and finds peace in the global community.

In 2006 three couples from Brookfield, Nova Scotia achieved a life dream and went to ALASKA. They flew part way, rented a van and drove to ALASKA!!! Myrna and Gorden Matheson, Ruth and Winn Matheson and Donna and Gab Matheson (three brothers and their wives), that is a great story but there is more. On their way they met ROSIE!! Who is Rosie and what is she doing?

- MEET ROSIE - Rosie left Wales in October 2003 to run around the world. And she is!!! She hauls this yellow cart called "ICEBIRD" and it acts as her home away from home, offering her shelter, rest, food, comfort, etc. She sleeps on the side of the road, a women alone, in all kinds of weather. She did this in many countries where didn't speak the language or in Russia while being followed by a pack of wolves. So she 'lives with respect in creation' and peace is with her.

The following pictures are from her visit to Nova Scotia where she met the Matheson family again.
The Matheson Family found Rosie on the Trans Canada hwy just entering Nova Scotia. How are you?? Both ways - remember it has been approximately 1.5 yrs. Next question - how can we help you? They passed Rosie hand warmers and raisons. Friendship is wonderful. Friendship is the bases of PEACE.

Ruth Matheson and friends organized a Rosie Party and welcomed her to the community. 60 people gathered on a cold stormy evening to meet Rosie and hear her wonderful story. They fed her, offered her shelter, kindness and hospitality. They enabled a doctor's appointment, long distance calls, shopping, transportation, etc. This is one example of United Church people in action - they included all faiths but they provided the leadership.
Rosie's last stop in North America was right here in Truro, Nova Scotia. She was surrounded by loving people who cared for her and were inspired by her run to create awareness for cancer and orphans in Russia.

We saw Rosie's run as proof that peace is possible. If each of us does our part to live in peace, to pray for peace, and example peace as we relate to each other - that will be a good start!!!!

2007-11-20T21:20:00.001-04:00

LEARNING

Peace is not the absence of war.
Dr. Ursula Franklin*
Certainly there is more to peace than the absence of wars in our own country. For me, the most appropriate definition of peace is the absence of fear; it is the daily reality of the biblical promise, "Fear not". [pg.69]
The definition of peace as the absence of fear illustrates that the central element needed to bring peace on all levels and to reduce fear is justice. Bertrand Russell defined the indivisibility of peace in his statement that "the price of peace is the happiness of our enemies", and added that he was not at all sure that humanity was prepared to pay that price. The second component of a commitment to peace is a rejection of the use of fear as an instrument of policy. [pg.70]
Louis Mumford in The Condition of Man (NY:Harcourt Brace, 1944, pg. 162) wrote that "Between the thirteenth and the nineteenth centuries one may sum up the changes in the moral climate by saying that the seven deadly sins became the seven cardinal virtues ... avarice ceased to be a sin, the minutes attention to the care of worldly goods, the holding of pennies, the unwillingness to spend one's surplus on others -- all these habits were useful for capital saving. Greed, gluttony, avarice, envy and luxury were constant incentives to industry." [pg.71]
Peace is the absence of fear. Peace is in the message of the angel to the shepherds in Bethlehem, "Be not afraid." ... Consequently, peace is not the absence of war -- peace is the absence of fear. This again links peace tightly to justice, because it is only in the presence of peace and justice that fear can be absent. Justice, in both the temporal and the spiritual sense, is a guarantee against the arbitrariness of power that is the source of so much justifiable fear. [pg. 76]

*from The Ursula Franklin Reader: Pacifism as a Map (Toronto: Between the Lines, 2006)

The youth of Trinity United Church proudly carried the UNITED for PEACE banner in the Village Christmas Parade. The parade reflects a spirit of celebration and it was great to hear the crowd cheer as they read the strong statement on the banner.

Bill Casey, M.P. and Maurice Henri, a photographer from Moncton, discussed his work with 'Cameras for Healing' in Sierra Leone. Maurice and his team of five volunteers travelled to Sierra Leone in 2006 and worked with child soldiers and their victims to begin the healing process. Maurice has a wonderful power point presentation that tells the story in a powerful manner. Bringing them together to:
- tell their stories
- take pictures of beautiful things
- begin to understand and forgive
- to try to find love
- to seek peace
In 45 minutes he shares the sadness and joys of his work. Changing broken lives. Working together for a positive change. Building capisity to move on.

After 12 years of war the country of Sierra Leone was left devastated. They made the decision to move forward by developing a "Culture of Peace". Maurice and his team have planned to cotinue their work for four more years and will return in Feb 2007 for the second year.

2007-11-14T19:52:00.000-04:00

HOSPITALITY

Here is another idea - for an open face sandwiches made from white bread use the cookie cutter to cut out a peace dove. Spread with cream cheese, use a cherry for the eye and a pickle for the twig, cut in the correct size. Please feed the birds with the scrap of bread ( we live with respect in creation. )

2007-11-12T22:52:00.000-04:00

DECORATIONS

Knox's United Church in Brookfield, Nova Scotia included the 'peace doce' in their Cristmas decorations. Every pew displays garland, ribbon and a peace dove.

On November 4th the River Hebert United Church was decorated for the launch of "United for Peace" on Peace Sunday. The special speaker, Maurice Henri, told his story of 'Cameras for Healing'. He and his team used photography to build forgiveness between child soldiers and the people they had harmed. Sierra Leone was the place where child soldiers began. After 12 years of war this country has chosen not to retaliate but to foster a 'culture of peace'.

We chose to use the cookie cutter pattern and simple drew and cut out white paper peace doves. People signed their names on each dove and we decorated the church as shown above. This is a very easy and inexpensive way to decorate. We used blue ribbon, however it would be beautiful if you used ribbon of the Mission and Service colours. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.