Peace Mug Awarded to Bruce Aker by New York Mennonite Conference
Bruce Aker was awarded a peace mug, provided by Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA, at Celebration 2003, a New York conference family retreat and delegate assembly on September 19-21. Bruce has been involved in peace and justice work for a long period of time. He has worked at educating, advocating, and organizing for peace, justice, reconciliation and community building, served as a board member of a local community peace and justice organization, and has modeled a lifestyle of peace and justice.
Bruce, a member of Harris Hill Mennonite Church, became with Mennonites because of its strong peace and justice stance. He has shown a consistent passion for peace and justice. Currently Bruce is an active member of Peace of the City, an ecumenical group which organizes teen programs, a children's choir, and two homework clubs, including one for children of abused mothers in a high-need area on the West side of Buffalo. After tutoring in a homework club for two years, Bruce became a member of the board, and works on the finance committee. He has consistently tried to connect people from the suburban Mennonite churches to this work.
Bruce has had a long-standing interest in world cultures. He studied extensively in Russia and taught Russian and world history, earned his Master's degree in International Studies, and worked for the National Bureau of Asian Research. This Summer Bruce organized a weekly program to introduce youth to different cultures.
Bruce's passion for peace and justice has recently led him to work for World Connect, where he builds understanding between people of differing cultures. Recently he convened a community meeting for Muslims in the Lackawana area, as part of a series of meetings with different local groups of Muslims.
After 9-11, Bruce wrote an editorial for a newspaper, in which he called for our country to pull back from war. Predictably, he received hate mail as well as supportive response. This did not deter Bruce. He writes letters to his legislators frequently and thinks deeply about Christ's call on his life. Bruce also calls peace and justice organizations to faithfulness if he sees them straying from Christ's way.