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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 as a military invasion became more and more imminent,
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.
This action was replicated with Iranian religious leaders in 2007 and 2008.
Mennonite Church USA PJSN provides one free peace lamp per Mennonite Church USA congregation to encourage them to weekly pray for peace. Contact Susan Mark Landis, to request one for your congregation.
Please feel free to use any lamp, candle or other visual to draw your congregation into prayer for peace.
Byler 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 Iraqi and Iranian Christians 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:
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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 using this prayer and light it each Sunday as they pray for peace between our nations. The Peace and Justice Support Network also offers the following peace lamp resources.
 | A bulletin insert (50k PDF) with Iraq lamp blessing is available for congregational use. |
| | Dedication of peace lamps sent to Iraq in 2002 |
| | 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 continue to develop comprehensive education and advocacy strategies 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