ADVENT 2007

Prayers and Petitions:
A Call for Advent Prayer and Action

Conference calls and congressional visit information

We believe that contacts with your congressional representatives during the early weeks of December (when they are in home state offices for the holidays) are critical to prevent a military strike on Iran.

From the MCC Hotline: Urgent Call for Dialogue with Iran

Tensions between the United States and Iran are ratcheting up at a worrying pace. On October 25, the Bush administration announced unilateral sanctions on Iran and declared a subgroup of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps to be a terrorist organization. The week before, President Bush warned "if you're interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing [Iran] from having the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon."

It is critical that members of Congress hear from their constituents that a military strike on Iran would be unacceptable. Robust diplomacy that addresses these difficult issues is the only way forward.

Additional ideas for visits with federal legislators

As you explore visiting the offices, be creative thinking about different ways to involve people who are new to in-person advocacy. It might be that only one or two or even no people personally speak to a legislator or an aide during the visit. For instance:

• group of carolers might deliver the petitions, saying nothing except through song.
• While some people deliver Christmas cookies to the staff, and/or carol, a small group could keep the previously-made appointment with the aide or legislator.
• You might take a peace lamp (order 1.800.952.6670) or a wall hanging to be a visible reminder of your desire for peace.
• Take a photo if possible and send it to us with a complete caption and photographer's name!

Our goal is a visible witness for peace that our congressional representatives will remember during the next months as they vote on legislation that might make more or less peace in the world.

Visits from members of your congregation to local offices during the first two weeks of December are so important that we have created conference calls to give you confidence and tools to set up and attend these appointments.

The November 27 Conference call is available for you to listen to now

Download - Windows Media file

The phone call was free. Contributions toward these expenses are appreciated.

Make your check to Mennonite Church USA,
put "Advent peace" in the memo line, and mail to:

Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership
PO Box 1245
Elkhart IN 46515-1245

Speakers