Our call is to be advocates for peace with justice in our church, community and the world.
The Peace with Justice Program aims to make shalom visible and active in people’s lives and communities, and to encourage the church to “strengthen its capacity to act as a public policy advocate” in local communities, the state and throughout the world.
The 2004 Book of Discipline calls for a Peace with Justice coordinator to be assigned by every Annual Conference and act as primary coordinator of Peace with Justice resources, interpretation and advocacy.The coordinator links the local churches in the annual conference with the GBCS Peace with Justice Program. Peace with Justice Coordinators meet annually for spiritual growth, empowerment and program resourcing.
The Old Testament speaks of God’s sovereignty in terms of covenant, more particularly the “covenant of peace” with Israel, which binds that people of God’s shalom (Isaiah 54:10; Ezekiel 37:20). In the covenant of shalom, there is no contradiction between justice and peace or between peace and security or between love and justice (Jeremiah 29:7).
In Isaiah’s prophecy, when “the spirit is poured upon us from on high,” we will know that these laws of God are one and indivisible: “Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” (Isaiah 32:16-18, NRSV).
About Peace with Justice Sunday
Peace with Justice Sunday is one of the official churchwide Special Sundays when the Peace with Justice Special Offering is collected. Annual Conferences keep half of the offering to fund local projects while a portion goes to the GBCS Peace with Justice Program to fund U.S. and global work in social action and public policy education and advocacy.
The Peace with Justice Coordinator is responsible for administering the conference Peace with Justice Special Sunday Offering and for coordinating peace with justice ministries. (2008 Discipline ¶629.2)
From the 50% of the offering that stays in the Southwest Texas Conference, PwJ grants are given to local churches and other programs that promote peace with justice; training in conflict resolution or other education initiatives within the conference.
Your church may support Peace with Justice Sunday all year long or on a date that meets your offering schedule......
Responsibilites of the Peace with Justice Coordinator
• Encourage understanding of the Biblical and theological foundations of Peace with Justice work. • Promote and equip Peace with Justice discussion, ministry, and advocacy training throughout the Southwest Texas Conference. • Promote and administer the annual Peace with Justice Special Sunday Offering. • Serve as liaison with The General Board of Church & Society, including participating in the annual Peace with Justice Coordinators’ Gathering. • Serve as Ex-officio member of the Conference Board of Church & Society. • Work with ecumenical, interfaith, and grassroots coalitions to promote peace with justice work. • Engage in other Peace with Justice work as is necessary within the conference
The Board of Church and Society Southwest Texas Conference UMC
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” and peace is greatly needed in the area of Israel and Palestine. Our call is to be peacemakers even when others are urging otherwise. We are encouraging every congregation in the Southwest Texas Conference to participate in a special study of the issues related to Israel and Palestine. Packets of resource materials and study constructs are in each of the district offices. There are also trained study leaders prepared to provide assistance. For more information on a list of study leaders contact: Mary Beth Grimes, Mbg7401@sbcglobal.net, 210-877-0569; B.J. Lee, Beej527@austin.rr.com, 512-453-0444; or Alberta Shelton umaoma@sbcglobal.net, 512-926-8645.
Israel/Palestine educational and presentations materials are available at each District Office for the use of local congregations, which has been provided by the Conference Board of Church and Society Israel/Palestine Task Force.
The Task Force has collected cards with over 100 signatures to send to Congress urging the 'redirecting of our tax $$$ to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and request a viable Palestinian state at the 1987 borders or a unitary state with equal rights for all.
Many people concerned about the human rights violations against Palestinians by the Israelis have written their US Senators and Representatives urging the money the USA sends to Israel be on condition of fulfilling human rights mandates toward the Palestinians."From the Book of Resolutions 2004: We join with Palestinian Christians, as well as our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters, in feeling a deep sense of rooted-ness to the land where our three religious traditions were born. We celebrate the diversity of religious customs and traditions throughout the Middle East.
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