2005
Peace and Justice Group A Peace and Justice Group was organized in
December 2004 as an informal small group consisting of seven
members: Tom and Dorothy Brenneman, David and Betty Garen, John
and Louise Gingerich, and Todd Lehman. A mission statement was
adopted as follows: As followers of Jesus, we support the
cause of peace and justice in our personal lives, community, and
greater world. The group will:
1) Study together to personally
understand peace and justice
2) Be a resource within our church
community for peace education and action
3) Actively promote peace and
justice within our local community as a Mennonite/ Anabaptist
witness
4) Work toward a world culture of peace
John Gingerich has set
up and actively maintains a web site for the group: http://
members.mennonite.net/pandjg This web site contains a listing of the
activities of the group as well as other pertinent information
such as event announcements, recommended films and books, and relevant
web links. The group met weekly during December 2004 to get
organized and then has met once or twice a month since then. We
have participated in many activities aimed at personal awareness
and education about peace and justice, promoting peace and
justice issues, and service. Some of the activities of the group
include: setting up a peace table at the annual Zion quilting
workshop (February 2005) where we distributed peace materials
such as brochures, posters, buttons, and books; erecting three peace
poles next to the church with the phrase “May Peace Prevail on Earth”
in multiple languages; attending various lectures and
presentations on peace related topics; painting the basement
floor at St. Joseph Shelter in Mount Angel (service project);
facilitating the visit by Daryl Byler of MCC Washington DC;
providing a list of peace and justice books that have been
purchased by the church library; meeting with the Salem Mennonite
Peace Cabinet to explore common interests and develop joint
projects. We have also studied the PBS program and book “A Force More
Powerful” on nonviolent resistance and Walter Wink’s book “The
Powers That Be”. The group does not have a formal budget.
We did, however, receive some financial support from the Witness
and Service Commission for the materials we distributed at the
quilting workshop. We also received donations from individuals to
support the purchase of language plaques for the peace poles. The
group continues to be active and is currently developing ideas for new
projects.
