Peace Advisory #3

Susan Mark Landis, peace advocate

This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. John 14:17,27

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

The situation in Iraq appears to be at a tipping point. Your prayers and actions should be included in the precarious balance.

Contents
Pastoral note
Information about Iraq resources
Registration and possible draft update
Announcements:
      Fall Peace Gathering
      PeaceSigns

Dear Pastors of Mennonite Church USA congregations,

God calls us to bring healing and hope to our hurting world. Each day brings more desperate news from Iraq. This peace advisory calls our congregations to prayer and preparation for the days ahead in the hope that our actions will offer world leaders a way through the endless cycle of violence toward true security for all the people of the world.

The crisis is on-going and possibly deepening. That's why our concentrated and continual attention is crucial now.

In the tradition of Nathan, who confronted King David's wrong-doing; Queen Esther, who dared to go before the king without an invitation; John the Baptist, who spoke truth to Herod; and the midwives in Egypt who refused to kill baby boys although ordered to do so by Pharaoh, God calls Mennonite Church USA congregations to speak truth.

God calls us to tell the truth about the events of our time:
God values each human being equally.
God's will is not violence.

God's people-you and your congregation-are steeped in understanding and preaching repentance and reconciliation. God is calling us to share these gifts with our communities and our country to move us through our pain toward hope in a better future.

Following the tradition of Esther, we invite your congregation to enter a time of prayer and fasting, discerning the Spirit's movement in our midst, listening to the call specific to each of our congregations. God calls us to both pray and act for peace during these days of crisis.

We firmly believe that when we pray for peace, God answers our prayers by providing us with ideas for faithful actions that make a difference in ourselves, our communities, our country and our world. Thus, our PJSN motto-pray for peace, act for peace. One leads to the other.

Pentecost is May 30; the handing over of government to Iraqi authorities is June 30; and our Mennonite Church USA Christian Citizenship Sunday is July 4. Each of these dates needs our congregation's prayer.

Daryl Byler, MCC Washington Office Director, recently wrote, "Pentecost reminds us that God's Spirit comes into our brokenness and confusion to be our advocate; to bring comfort, unity, clarity and peace; to point to the truth and to empower (John 14:15-31; John 16:4-15; Acts 1:8, 2:1-48)."

Let us celebrate Pentecost, the day when God made it clear that people of all tongues and nationalities are welcome to the kingdom, by telling our neighbors about Christ's call to reconciliation between enemies.

Let us pray for miracles, including peace in Iraq, as we approach the June 30 deadline. Let us pray for God's wisdom for our leaders.

And let us prepare our congregations to celebrate our primary citizenship, in God's kingdom, on July 4. Leo Hartshorn has created worship materials for Christian Citizenship Sunday. He has chosen the lectionary texts of Luke 10:1-11,16-20, and the theme, "Sharing Peace as Lambs among Wolves."

We believe the times call for deepening our commitment of time and resources for Christian peacemaking. Below you'll information about materials that Mennonite peace staff have created. As pastor of your congregation, please join God in prayer and discernment, listening to the call for your congregation as you lead during this time. As you pray, hear and act, please send information about your congregation's response to so we can share your ideas with other congregations.

We will continue to pray for you, your congregation and our denomination, that we will hear and act on God's call. May God's loving arms give you courage to speak God's word.

Pray for peace,
Act for peace,
Susan Mark Landis, peace advocate
Mennonite Church USA Executive Board

Leo Hartshorn, minister of peace and justice
Mennonite Mission Network

IRAQ RESOURCES

REGISTRATION AND DRAFT UPDATE