ADVENT ADVOCACY Actions

A congregational walk for peace

based on "Praying with our feet"

Rationale, from Eugene Souder, who contributed this idea:

"People are more tuned to consider Jesus at this time of the year. With the country so divided over the war, the timing is right-it could bring a peaceful message that might be accepted by many.

"My sense is that the signs should not include the word Iraq. That immediately makes it too political. Keep it in tune with the Gospel. People will put Iraq into the message without being "in your face" with it. Being more subtle would be more peaceful and more effective to the audience. Also more of our people would tend to go on the walk with this positive Christ-centered message."

How to:

	Using the book to prompt your thinking, organize a Peace Walk with your congregation.
	Read over "Preparing for a public prayer service" http://peace.mennolink.org/articles/publicprayer.html.
	Possible signs: War is not the path to peace . War is not the answer. Jesus is the path to peace. Peace is Patriotic. Jesus: Prince of Peace Enemies: Ya just gotta love 'em Making signs together is a great intergenerational activity.
	Handouts: Some copies of "Proclaiming Truth and Healing" are available from PDF version (70k PDF) This paper plate was popular at Charlotte, but you'll need to update and make locally. Be sure your hand-outs include contact information for your congregation. Carry information in case you meet someone trying to leave the military http://peace.mennolink.org/military.html and information about Christian peacemaking (see Resources to help you think about peacemaking: http://peace.mennolink.org/youth.html) Invite folks to subscribe to PeaceSigns (we have free business cards for you to distribute )
	Take photos of youth and children for their peacemaking files http://www.mcc.org/ask-a-vet/peacemake_form.html.
	Be prepared: you may meet angry people, whether in person, through letters to the editor, or later on church property. Be certain someone on the walk is trained for such a possibility http://peace.mennolink.org/articles/peacekeeper.html.
	Program: Have the walk end at a public spot where many people pass by. Conclude the walk with a brief service including appropriate hymns/carols and a talk by someone simply explaining Jesus' way of peace. Possible litanies: http://peace.mennolink.org/congregations_a_litanies.html
	Timing: Perhaps a week or two prior to Christmas on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon or evening.