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Iraq: Action Ideas
The Fruit of Peace is Security,A call for peace with Iraq
"Human security . . . is a child who did not die, a disease that did not spread, an ethnic violence that did not explode, a dissident who was not silenced. Human security is not a concern with weapon. It is a concern with human dignity."
"And the harvest of righteousness is won in peace by those who make peace."
| Several organizations-Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA, and Christian Peacemaker Teams-have joined together in a campaign to resist a U.S. led invasion of Iraq, emphasizing congregational responses. This campaign which began in August 2002, is entitled The Fruit of Peace is Security, Terror the Harvest of War. |
This campaign invites individuals and congregations to participate by
 | Praying for peace with Iraq and the Iraqi people, |
| Engaging in public worship and action for peace, and |
| Communicating concerns to government leaders. |
We believe Christ calls us
| To know and live the biblical way of peace, |
| To share this understanding with our world, |
| To pray for the state of affairs of our world, |
| To pray publicly to invite God into our world and as a witness to our community, |
| To take actions that bring attention to injustice, |
| To care for the "least among us" by advocating in their names, |
| To go beyond our comfort zones in our work for peace and justice. |
We invite you to lead your congregation in a unified, three-part work to oppose further U.S. military action and work at building trust between the U.S. and Iraq. These parts are:
| | Education: learn and teach as much as you can about Iraq and the effect of 12 years of sanctions. (as of August 2002) |
| Public prayer service: let your community know that security comes not through war, but through just relationships. |
| Faxes to government officials: yes, this matters! Many U.S. legislators don't want war, and are quite uneasy about the results of sanctions. However, they need the support of their constituents to take this position. |
You can put these resources together as best befits your community. Perhaps you'll do a prayer and faxing event, or a community teaching on sanctions, or hold a prayer service in front of your local courthouse or some other public place. As you plan, gather a group to listen to God's will for your community and be willing to try something new and a bit risky. Allow yourselves to grow as peacemakers!
Blessings, and please stay in touch. Let us know what worked, what didn't,
and what you learned so we can pass ideas along for the next time.
Susan Mark Landis
Peace Advocate, Mennonite Church USA
Leo Hartshorn
Minister of Peace and Justice, Mennonite Mission Network
In Canada:
Esther Epp-Tiessen
Peace Ministries Program Coordinator, MCC Canada
Send copies of your government faxes to MCC Washington office,
e-mail (preferred)
fax 202-544-2820
Educational materials
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On God's call to peacemaking |
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Biblical/Theological Rationale For Resisting a U.S. led Invasion of Iraq: Leo Hartshorn, Minister of Peace and Justice, Mennonite Mission Network
Lessons on Mennonites and peacemaking
Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective
Article 22: Peace, Justice, and Nonresistance
Article 23: The Church's Relation to Government and Society
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Print resources available from Mennonite Mission Network (Please contact: Roberta Harms, Networking and Resources Assistant, Mennonite Mission Network, Mennonite Church USA, 722 Main St., PO Box 347, Newton KS 67114, 316-283-5155, Ext. 277, .)
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Clipart:
The logo for this campaign is available in both
color and
black and white for use in our publicity.
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On Iraq |
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Overview of Iraq Legacy of the Gulf War A Brief History of United Nations Sanctions Against Iraq U.S.-Iraq Policy: Has the Die for War Been Cast? Canadian Policy - "Soft Power" Reflections on U.S. policy toward Iraq: Making space, saving face More Iraq Resources from the Support Network Mennonite Central Committee update
Children of Iraq:
UNICEF statistics on condition in Iraq
Stories from Iraq (provided by Mennonite Central Committee)
Children of Iraq
Stickers available from Mennonite Mission Network: All God's children love peace
- (Order Stickers from: Roberta Harms, Networking and Resources Assistant, Mennonite Mission Network, Mennonite Church USA, 722 Main St., PO Box 347, Newton KS 67114, 316-283-5155, Ext. 277, .)
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Public prayer service |
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Suggestions for preparing a public prayer service Service Outline: (Prayers and Litanies) Biblical basics Stories from Iraq (provided by Mennonite Central Committee) News and Views at the United Nations (Mennonite Central Committee) Litany of Resistance by Jim Loney (CPT Reservist)
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Advocacy materials |
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Talking Points for Letters to Government Officials Peace and Justice Support Network advocacy page Christ-like contacts with governing authorities (Government Addresses)