London Conference Division of World Outreach has been studying issues
related to peacemaking in recent years.
This study was initiated after Allan Slater, an Ontario farmer and
friend of the Division, joined the Christian Peacemaking Teams on several
assignments in Iraq.
His reports raised concern about the policy and practices of the
Coalition Forces in Iraq, especially the treatment of prisoners. A
proposal to General Council was accepted by London Conference calling for
action about our concerns.
Our concern led to asking the question, "What would it mean for the
United Church of Canada to become a 'Peace Church' as the Mennonite,
Brethren and Quaker churches are?"
A member attended a Peace Conference hosted by the Peace Churches and
some members of the Division visited Shipshewana, Indiana and the Menno-hof
Information Centre to learn more about the peace tradition in the Peace
Churches.
Several workshops have been held over the past 3 years focusing on
peace issues, such as the Decade to Overcome Violence, Building for Peace
and The Right to Protect.
Meanwhile, the General Council of the United Church of Canada initiated
the United For Peace Campaign (2007-2009) to raise funds for investing in
programs to support peacemaking.
The following links are useful resources relating to peace issues:
United for Peace
United for Peace YouTube
Videos
Decade to
Overcome Violence
Menno-hof Museum
Proposal to GC re Iraq
Wheel of Faith & Action
(PowerPoint Show)
- Conference Annual Meeting (2007)
Visitors since May 3, 2009
