Peace News

"I think that we are lucky if we have a house with four rooms, a house without a dirt floor, and a house with running water."

"The only thing I really want is a monkey, and world peace, mostly world peace."

"If we keep fighting the world will be destroyed."

- From Kadin Haake's peace essay.

Stan Harder joined a Christian Peacemaker Teams delegation to Ontario from September 22 until October 5.  The delegation, which is co-lead by Hannah, joined native communities engaged in healing, resisting colonialism and struggling for sovereignty.

This Trip report was presented at First Mennonite Church on Sunday October 16, 2011.

If you want to learn more about Grassy Narrows regarding mercury poisoning, see this series of reports from CBC television.

We often hear about sexual offenses in the media but what do we really know? And what happens when people who commit offenses return to the community?

Sara, from First Mennonite Church, is serving a one-year assignment with Mennonite Central Committee's SALT program. 

Read her blog, Journey to Jerusalem.

Mennonite Church USA is scheduled to hold its biennial convention in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2013.  In light of the passage of the Arizona immigration law, SB1070, the church is reconsidering its plans to meet in the state.

"God's Love Has No Borders - Immigration Reform Must Be Just" is the message of a banner that the members of First Mennonite installed on the church lawn at the conclusion of the worship service on June 27. Pastor David Orr said, "Our hope is that it will reminded people of their own immigrant heritage and of the Bible's teachings which are often forgotten as this issue is debated."

Banners are available for purchase.

Become a volunteer mediator.  Help bring about reconciliation, healing, and restoration.

Lancaster County Juvenile Offender and Victim Mediation needs volunteer mediators. The program conducts face-to-face dialogues between juvenile offenders and their victims. Volunteers will receive Nebraska Office of Dispute Resolution approved basic mediation training (regularly an $850 course) free of charge. Information and applications are available at: www.hsfed.org/community-information.php.

Anna Baltzer and Mustafa Barghouti discussed peace and Palestine on the Daily Show on October 28.  View the uncut interview.

Must conflicts between people and nations inevitably lead to broken relationships, strife, and violence?

Does the Bible offer another way?

Rev. Daniel Buttry will explore the biblical basis of conflict transformation and ways it may be lived today on October 11 and 14.

Occupied Palestine will be the focus at First Mennonite Church on Sunday, April 26.  Dr. Gordon Brubacher will preach during the 10:45 a.m. worship service, sharing from his academic and personal experiences in the area.