Peace lamps

Dick Lehman, has been an enthusiastic partner in encouraging congregations to pray for peace since 2002, when J. Daryl Byler, then MCC Washington Office director, took the first peace lamps to Iraq. Daryl gave several lamps to religious leaders, saying each time, "When you see this, know that Mennonites in the United States and Canada are praying for peace between us." Soon after, many congregations purchased peace lamps.

Currently, we have 30 FREE lamps available to Mennonite Church USA congregations to encourage them to weekly pray for peace. Contact Susan Mark Landis.

Please feel free to use any lamp or candle or other visual to draw your congregation into prayer for peace.

Daryl Byler, MCC Washington Office Director, presented these oil lamps with the Mennonite Church logo along with letters from Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada to leaders of Orthodox and Evangelical churches. This gift will remind Christians of Iraq that during the increasing tensions between our countries, Mennonites in the United States and Canada are praying for them, often. The blessing reads, in part:

Today we dedicate these lamps as a flaming symbol of our choice for light and love,
And in the tomorrows to come, we will continue to light candles to symbolize our decision to reflect God's love and to pray unceasingly.
We hold our Iraqi sisters and brothers, the leaders of our governments, and ourselves in prayer before our God of justice and peace.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Mennonite Church congregations in the United States and Canada are invited to dedicate their own lamp (and candles for home use) using this prayer and light it each Sunday as they pray for peace between our nations.

	A bulletin insert (50k PDF) with Iraq lamp blessing is available for congregational use.
	Dedication of peace lamps sent to Iraq
	Blessing words for the Iraq peace lamps
	Here is some clipart of the lamps for use in bulletins and local advertisement.
	And a Candle Lighting Litany that may also be used.
	Peace lamps challenge Mennonite Church USA congregations to faithful witness. news release from Mennonite Church USA

In addition, Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada sent letters with Daryl to Iraqi government officials.

Mennonite peace staff from Mennonite Church USA Executive Board, Mennonite Mission Network, Mennonite Church Canada, and Mennonite Central Committee are developing a comprehensive education and advocacy strategy to oppose further U.S. military action.

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For your reference, here are the letters taken to Iraq:

Mennonite Church USA
To Christian leaders in Iraq
To government officials

Mennonite Church Canada
To Christian leaders in Iraq

Mennonite Central Committee Canada
To Canadian government officials