Peace Sunday, November 10, 2002

A call to prayer and fasting

The following materials were developed for use by congregations on Peace Sunday, November 10, 2002.

In light of our nation's persistent preparations for war, we invite you to designate Peace Sunday, November 10, 2002, as a time for congregational discernment through prayer and fasting. This prayer and fasting will help each congregation discern God's call to local peacemaking action and broader Mennonite Church USA action. Our times cry out for us to join together as congregations to better hear God.

Letter from Jim Schrag to congregations
"Now I invite you to take another step to act faithfully for peace. I ask you to join me in a time of prayer and fasting."
available in printable Acrobat Format (14k PDF) or HTML

Resisting the Powers: Peace Sunday worship materials
by Leo Hartshorn, Minister of Peace and Justice
Resources include sermon themes, sample worship service with litanies and prayers, children's times, possible communion themes, explanation of prayer and fasting, sensual elements, and a resource list.
available in formatted Acrobat Format (112k PDF) or HTML

Clipart from the worship materials shown above, for use in bulletins and newsletters.

Additional fasting information
Prayer and Fasting: Preparation and Discernment. by Titus Peachy
Fasting Background and Discipline from Christian Peacemaker Teams manual

Peace Pledge: We choose to love our enemies and to act against war with Iraq.
Make a personal pledge to do something specific about the relationship between the United States and Iraq.
available in printable Acrobat Format (59k PDF) to be mailed in or an online submission form

Additional information and links for Peace Pledge actions

Additional Action Ideas

  Regular updates by J. Daryl Byler, MCC Washington Office Director
   Costly war (10/15/2002)
   An Open Letter to Condoleezza Rice (10/25/2002)
   U.N. weapon inspections in Iraq: Path to peace or way to war? (11/21/2002)
   Choose the path of peace: An open letter to President Bush (12/4/2002)
   Pressing questions (1/16/2003)

Alternative Worship Resources

For the observance of Peace Sunday on November 10, 2002 congregations might also consider using resources under Iraq: Action Ideas. This would be a way to inform your congregation concerning the need for peaceful relations between the United States and Iraq.
If your congregation did not observe Christian Citizenship Sunday (July 7, 2002), by using the the materials provided at that time, they are still available.
A Sunday's worth of worship weaving together salvation and peacemaking.