Peace resources available on Web in response to possible U.S. military action in Iraq

NEWTON, Kan. (MC USA) -- In the wake of reports that show the United States is likely to go to war against Iraq by early winter, resources on the Internet can help Mennonites join in resisting this violence through a peaceful-action campaign in August.

Mennonite Church USA, Mennonite Church Canada, Mennonite Central Committee and Christian Peacemaker Teams have joined together in the campaign called "The Fruit of Peace is Security, Terror the Harvest of War: A call for peace with Iraq."

The group invites congregations and individuals to participate in the campaign by praying for peace with Iraq and Iraqi people, engaging in public worship and action for peace and communicating concerns to government leaders, said Susan Mark Landis, peace advocate for Mennonite Church USA's Executive Board.

"We feel it's a very opportune time to communicate with government officials and to advocate against military involvement," Landis said. "Reports from Daryl Byler in MCC's Washington office show that some senators and representatives don't seem to want to go to war right now.

"A military move into Iraq would have to be huge, with a high number of troops estimated from 100,000 to 200,000 ... and the inevitable loss of many lives. ... Government officials want to know what their constituents think, and so this is an appropriate time to let them know we believe there are practical and effective alternatives to invasion and war."

Leo Hartshorn, minister of peace and justice for Mennonite Mission Network, and one of the creators of the campaign with Landis and others, said: "In a post-Christian society the church has a new opportunity, amid nationalistic fervor and a war on terrorism, to create alternative communities of Christ's peace and justice through common, yet subversive, Christian practices: confessing allegiance to Christ, seeking first the reign of God, praying for our enemies and welcoming the foreigner and stranger."

Educational materials on Iraq, public prayer service ideas and advocacy ideas to be used for the campaign can be found on the Web site created by Mennonite Church USA's Peace and Justice Support Network at http://peace.mennolink.org. It can also be found at www.mennoniteusa.org under "peace resources." Suggested action dates are Aug. 4 or 6. Aug. 6 marks 12 years of devastating sanctions against Iraq.

The Web site invites pastors to lead their congregations in a unified, three-part work to oppose further U.S. military action and to build more trust between the United States and Iraq. The three parts are learning and teaching as much as possible about Iraq and the effect of 12 years of sanctions; holding a public prayer service to let the community know that security comes not through war but through just relationships; and sending faxes to government officials, Landis said.

Educational materials include a biblical and theological rationale for resisting a U.S. invasion of Iraq, written by Leo Hartshorn, minister of peace and justice for Mennonite Mission Network; articles 22 and 23 Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective on peace, justice and nonresistance and the church's relation to government and society; clipart and logos; and information and stories on the children of Iraq and UNICEF statistics.

Congregations are invited to put these resources together as best benefits their community, Landis said. Ideas include doing a "prayer and faxing" event, a community teaching on sanctions or holding a prayer service in front of the local courthouse or other public place. Groups should send copies of their government faxes to the MCC Washington office, e-mail (preferred) at or fax at 202-544-2820.

Hartshorn and Landis organized the supportive network during this spring to keep peace and justice central to the mission of the church in the world through such events as this August action. The inclusive group is open to anyone who wants to support Mennonite Church USA's work of peace and justice. A Reference Committee guides and facilitates the ongoing work of the network and carries out its priorities. The committee is composed of peace and justice staff and persons appointed from various agencies. Landis and Hartshorn invite congregations to send reports of their August actions to the support network at or .