Peace gatherings provide a space for peace and justice workers, activists and interested people to come together for inspiration, teaching, networking and mutual support. Gathering together can help to remind peacemakers and justice seekers that they are not alone.

The Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA is providing such an opportunity at the national assembly of Mennonite Church USA in Charlotte, N.C., July 4-8. We're calling the event Can't Keep Quiet About Peace! (to follow the overall theme of the assembly, Can't Keep Quiet!).

The gathering will include three evenings of inspiring worship, singing, peace stories and Bible study. On Friday, July 8, PJSN will present the 2005 Peace Pitcher to Lawrence Hart of Clinton, Okla., a Cheyenne peace chief. This presentation recognizes an outstanding lifetime leader in peace and justice with a pottery pitcher designed by prize-winning potter Dick Lehman of Goshen, Ind.

Leaders of the Bible study on "Jesus' peace theology" will be Perry Yoder, professor of Old Testament, and Mary H. Schertz, professor of New Testament, both from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind. The first session will be on Tuesday, July 5, 6:45-8 p.m., on "The Judge Who Judges Justly" (1 Peter 2:21-24); second session is Thursday, July 7, 6:45-8 p.m., on "God's Peace and Justice" (Psalm 82); third session is Friday, July 8, 6:45-8 p.m., on "Christ-Centered Ethics: Agents of Reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:14-21).

Everyone is invited to this intergenerational gathering, which will take place in South Carolina Hall in the Hilton Hotel. There will be a children's program, located in North Carolina Hall.