Reminder: PPF Updates: Atwood Registration, GA Events, and Partner Gatherings

Spring Updates from the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship

Featured: Reflections from Palestine — The Amalgamation Webinar Presbyterian Peace Fellowship recently sponsored a special two-part episode of The Amalgamation podcast featuring Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow in conversation with church leaders reflecting on their recent experiences in Palestine. Guests include: Rev. Cece Armstrong — Co-Moderator of the PC(USA) Rev. Tony Larson — Co-Moderator of the PC(USA) Rev. Jihyun Oh — Stated Clerk of the General Assembly Together they share reflections from recent delegations to Palestine and what these experiences mean for the church today. Watch the conversation

Get Involved: PPF Working Groups Our working groups meet regularly and welcome new participants. If you’re interested in getting involved, we invite you to join a meeting. Current working groups include: Gun Violence Prevention Working Group Peace Church Working Group Presbyterians for Abolition Palestine Solidarity Working Group  Visit our calendar for meeting dates and registration details   News & Reflections

Restorative Justice Advances in Virginia Members of Presbyterians for Abolition lifted up a recent update on restorative justice legislation in Virginia. A number of restorative justice bills recently passed the Virginia legislature, marking a significant step toward approaches that focus on accountability, healing, and community restoration rather than punishment alone. Read the article New Book from PPF Executive Committee Member Ben Daniel The Peace Church Working Group is lifting up a new book from Ben Daniel, member of PPF’s Executive Committee. Grace Over Guns: The Christian Case for Ending Militarization The book explores the intersection of faith, militarism, and the call to pursue peace in a heavily armed society. Learn More Here PPF Sponsors Prayer Vigil for Immigrant Dignity On March 24, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship helped sponsor a prayer vigil at ICE Headquarters in Washington, DC honoring the feast day of Óscar Romero, the Salvadoran archbishop who was martyred while speaking out against injustice and violence. Faith leaders, advocates, and community members gathered to pray, sing, and share testimony in support of immigrant communities and to call for policies that respect the dignity and humanity of all people. The vigil lifted up Romero’s legacy of standing alongside those facing oppression and injustice. Faith leaders gathered outside ICE headquarters on the feast day of Óscar Romero to pray and call for immigrant dignity.   Important Statements from PPF Recently the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship released several important statements addressing current events and the church’s call to faithful witness. Read the full statements: "The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Statement on the United States and Cuba"  "A Call to Moral Clarity on Donald Trump’s Threats of Civilizational Erasure."  About the artwork: The graphic uses “NO” by Claude Moller, a stencil showing a bomber plane dropping bombs inside the letter “O.” The graphic is a part of the free downloadable graphics from Justseeds. General Assembly 227 — Upcoming PPF Events Peace Gathering Join us during the General Assembly for fellowship, food, and inspiration for the work ahead. We’ll honor Presbyterian Peaceseekers, discuss key issues before the Assembly, and connect with others committed to nonviolence. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Osamah Khalil Professor of History at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.  Friday, June 26, 2026  6:30–8:30 PM  Immanuel Presbyterian Church 1100 N. Astor St., Milwaukee, WI Tickets available May 1st: presbypeacefellowship.org Community Day of Action As part of the Presbyterian Decade to End Gun Violence, Presbyterians will gather for a day of action focused on gun violence prevention. Activities may include: Guns to Gardens demonstrations Public art using dismantled gun parts Resources and organizing tools for congregations  Saturday, June 27, 2026 Planning Our GA Witness Will you be attending General Assembly as a commissioner, delegate, corresponding member, or overture advocate? We would love your help with: volunteering during GA supporting pre-GA advocacy outreach  Contact: info@presbypeacefellowship.org  Commissioners’ Resolutions due: June 22

Concerned About Gun Violence? Join individuals, congregation leaders, and clergy from across the country at the James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage. Participants will engage in workshops, training, and community-building to help congregations take meaningful action to prevent gun violence. Learn more or register

Call for Photos We are looking for photos to use in Atwood publicity. If you have photos of: faith leaders leading vigils or rallies gun violence prevention events congregations gathering for justice please consider sharing them with us.

If submitting, include: • where the photo was taken • what was happening • why people were gathered We will credit photographers when images are used. You can send them to info@presbyterianpeacefellowship.org

Upcoming Partner Events Here are a few events from partners and aligned organizations: Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice  April 25–28, 2026  https://advocacydays.org/ Seminarians for Palestine Gathering  Date TBA (April 2026)  https://actionnetwork.org/events/seminariansforpalestine Christians for a Free Palestine — April Community Call  April 2026  https://christiansforafreepalestine.com/events/aprilcall May Day Celebration — Haymarket House  May 1, 2026  Chicago, IL  https://www.haymarkethouse.org/events/celebrate-may-day-at-haymarket-house/ Training: “So You've Gone to a Protest — Now What?” Hosted by Rising Organizers  April 17, 2026  12:00 PM ET https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/0Y7vZ1gVQ66nnoX5X7Tflg#/registration Palestine Justice Network Prayer Gathering  April 2026  https://mailchi.mp/thepjn.org/pjn-april2026-prayermeeting Faith Matters Network Community Gathering  April 30, 2026  5:00 PM  https://faithmattersnetwork-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/Zszhwzl2RkyixLkuJFM-lg Not Above the Law Organizing Event  Saturday, April 25, 2026  10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT  Ridgecrest, CA  https://www.mobilize.us/notabovethelaw/event/937854/ UCZ Community Organizing Class  Tuesday, May 5, 2026  https://givebutter.com/ucz_class

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship | 17 Cricketown Road | Stony Point, NY 10980 US

WCC News: WCC renews commitment to peace with justice for people of Sudan

As the devastating war in Sudan enters its fourth year, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay reflected that, in a context of pain and uncertainty, the enduring faith, resilience, and witness of the churches in Sudan remain a powerful sign of hope. Children wait outside the full chapel during Catholic Mass in Lugi, a village in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. The area is controlled by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North, and frequently attacked by the military of Sudan (2018). Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth 17 April 2026 “The WCC takes particular encouragement from recent expressions and commitments by the Episcopal Church of Sudan, which we recognize as significant signs of hope,” he said.  “This message of gratitude and hope underscores the vital role of global solidarity.” Prayers, advocacy, and material support offered by churches and partners worldwide have been a source of strength and encouragement to those enduring the hardships of war, Pillay added. “Such solidarity must not diminish but rather deepen in this critical moment,” he urged. “The WCC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to accompanying the churches and people of Sudan in their pursuit of a just and lasting peace.” Pillay called upon all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities, prioritize dialogue, and take concrete steps toward reconciliation and rebuilding the nation. “We also urge the international community to intensify diplomatic efforts, humanitarian support, and action for the protection for civilians,” he said. “As we mark this sombre anniversary, we lift up our prayers for healing, justice, and restoration.” Pillay said he envisions a Sudan where peace prevails, where dignity is upheld, and where all displaced persons and refugees may safely and willingly return home to rebuild their lives. “The WCC stands in faith and solidarity with the people of Sudan, trusting that, through God’s grace and inspiration, peace with justice will indeed prevail,” he concluded. World Council of Churches Statement on the Third Anniversary of the War in Sudan See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland