Presbyterian Peace Fellowship - Leaving with gratitude and more community

‌ PPF Transitions As I stepped away from parish ministry almost four years ago, I knew I wanted to remain connected to the PC(USA) community, and so I reached out to Rev. Emily Brewer (PPF’s former Executive Director at the time) to ask about this community and how I might get involved.  I remember asking specifically about how PPF was engaged in anti-racism work, and though it was a value of the organization, it was not a specific organizing focus at the time.  About two months later, Ahmaud Arbery was murdered. And then Breonna Taylor. And then George Floyd. I first got involved as a volunteer during PPF's Deep Focus on Defund the Police, and then joined the staff two years ago as the Manager of Digital Organizing and Communications.  Alongside my work with PPF I also organize locally and offer embodied anti-racism training. I have also been in coursework to become a somatic coach. I have arrived at a juncture where I need to step away from this role with PPF, and I will be leaving the staff on June 9, 2023. I feel called to deepen my organizing work locally given the political conditions we are navigating, and I am also really excited to continue to hone my skills and develop my practice as a somatic coach.  During the last few years I have been so moved by the way the PPF community has woven its rich history and commitment to nonviolence and the abolition of war with a growing commitment to the abolition of all structures of violence and cultures of domination. Our new vision statement is inspiring to me as we face unique challenges in a time where climate collapse is meeting late capitalism and the rise of Christian Nationalism. More than ever, I believe we need Christian people inside the struggle to resist these realities that threaten even greater violence and harm upon our people and the planet.  I will continue to stay involved with PPF, specifically, at first, as an Activist Council member with the Presbyterians for Abolition working group. And I look forward to all that is yet unfolding for the PPF community as leadership transitions and new visions guide our feet.  I feel so grateful for the ways in which I have learned from you these last few years. I have grown my understanding of war and Internationalism. I have been challenged by the rigor of nonviolence. I have strengthened my commitment to support the movement to end gun violence. I have developed digital skills I’m not sure I wished I would ever have! And I have been inspired by so many of my elders in this community who have long worked to sustain and nurture the things that make for peace.  Thank you.   With gratitude at this leave taking, I hope to see you out in the world! Rev. Lucy Waechter Webb  P.S. I'd want to share this new resource that is coming out this summer: Building Up A New World: Congregational Organizing for Transformative Impact. It is co-edited by Rev. Anne Dunlap, who was with us in Kansas City, and my good friend Rev. Vahisha Hasan. I have a chapter in the book I've co-written with my colleague and friend, Rev. Ayanna Watkins. I believe this resource will be really supportive to congregations that are looking to train and equip their people for organizing. You can pre-order here! Presbyterian Peace Fellowship 845-786-6743 | presbypeacefellowship.org Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

WCC News: Weaving the web of peace and justice: a journey for reconciliation in the Korean Peninsula

Rev. Hong-Jung Lee, former general secretary of National Council of Churches in Korea during the plenary session on Living Fellowship during the WCC central committee meeting taking place on 15-21 June 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 31 May 2023 Lee’s approach to peace and justice in the Korean Peninsula is rooted in the concept of "weaving the web of life for healing and reconciliation.” He emphasizes the significance of interdependency and self-emptying as spiritual pillars for sustaining the web of life. By deepening interdependency and overcoming human avarice, he argues that justice and peace become inseparably interconnected, forming the foundation for people's life security. “Healing and reconciliation are the core of God’s economy of life and the spirituality and strategy of God’s ministry. Without an ongoing process of healing and reconciliation, there will be no integration between justice and peace, no life-giving and no life-abundant, and therefore no people’s life security,” said Lee. Lee highlighted the importance of face-to-face encounters between Christians in North and South Korea. Through international ecumenical meetings and events, through the World Council of Churches and peace conferences, Lee has had various opportunities to meet with leaders of the Korean Christian Federation (KCF) and bridge the gap between North and South Korea. “My first encounter with the leaders of the Korean Christian Federation happened at the German Kirchentag in Leipzig in 1997. Since then, I was able to encounter the leaders of the KCF at least one or two times every year at the various international ecumenical meetings,” shared Lee. According to Lee, the division of the Korean Peninsula is not the end of the Korean people's history. “If we see a history of the Korean people from a perspective of the whole story of God’s salvific action in the world and of what God wants for the world, the division of the Korean Peninsula is not the end of the history of the Korean people,” said Lee.  He sees the division as a human-induced wilderness, a violation of divine covenant, and a contradiction to God's will. His vision encompasses healing, reconciliation, justice, and peace, leading to a life-abundant reunification of the Korean nation. Lee advocates for replacing the armistice established in 1953 with a peace agreement. He argued that the armistice perpetuates the division and Cold War mentality, hindering the progress towards peace. He further highlighted how the geopolitical landscape, with global superpowers redesigning a Neo-Cold War Order, exacerbates tensions on the Korean Peninsula. 9 September 2022, Karlsruhe, Germany: National Council of Churches in Korea Rev. Hong Jung Lee shares opening remarks at an Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification & Development Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula (EFK) – Informal meeting taking place at the Erlöser Kirche (United Methodist Church) in Karlsruhe. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC “Today in the midst of the multifaceted crises driven by the global climate crisis, the continuing mutations of COVID 19, the US-China hegemonic conflict, the Russo-Ukrainian war, etc., the global superpowers are continuously designing and redesigning a Neo-Cold War Order by separating the world according to alliances and partnerships based on their own interests and values,” said Lee. By transitioning from an armistice to a peace agreement, Lee believes the division and cold war system can be unraveled, paving the way for peace and stability. The importance of the WCC's role in peace-building during the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe was emphasized by Lee. He highlighted the resolution adopted at the assembly and the agreement at the Ecumenical Forum for Korea followed by the assembly, which call for various actions to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula, including global ecumenical prayer movements, peace education, advocacy for human rights, UN initiatives, demilitarization, and nuclear disarmament. Lee stressed the need for a global ecumenical prayer movement, particularly on the "Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula" before 15 August. He emphasized that prayer, not weapons, is the means for Christians to contribute to peace. He also proposed enhancing peace education and establishing a civilian alliance of peace diplomacy to analyze anti-peace realities, advocate for policy changes, and create platforms for dialogue among the youth. Lee urged the governments of both North and South Korea to prioritize healing and restoration, addressing division-driven injustices and upholding human rights. He advocated for redirecting national budgets towards peaceful coexistence and lifting economic sanctions that violate human rights. In addition, he called for UN-initiated peace-building efforts based on previous historic peace summits, and for halting military drills and cooperation in the region to encourage positive responses from North Korea. Lee proposed mobilizing global civilian power to transform the DMZ into an eco-peace zone and expanding it to encompass the entire Korean Peninsula. He also advocated for a nuclear-free zone. Lastly, he encourages active participation in the Korean Peace Appeal Campaign, involving member churches of the WCC that were combatant states in the Korean War. According to Lee, Korean churches play a crucial role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, transcending ideology and cold war divisions. “By constantly affirming and practicing a spiritual-ethical stance which goes beyond the cold war-oriented ideological boundaries, the Korean churches can be an indispensable moving force of leading the two Koreas to a peaceful co-existence,” shared Lee. Lee concluded that the global ecumenical movement must change its perception of the Korean people, empowering them as active agents in stabilizing tensions caused by divisive governments. “I believe, with all these positive peace-making efforts, differences must be cherished, disputes resolved by peaceful means, nature respected by showing prudence in handling all living species and natural resources, and all these responsibilities shared multilaterally. In this course, using the Korean Peace Appeal as an entry point, the churches and Christians in the world can organize a local peace-building network weaving the web of life for healing and reconciliation of the Korean Peninsula inter-locally at the global level,” said Lee. The Rev. Lee Hong-jung, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea, participates in a candlelight vigil for peace in the Korean Peninsula on December 9, 2017, in Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, South Korea. The ecumenical Advent vigil was part of "A Light of Peace" campaign sponsored by the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches of Korea. Photo: Paul Jeffrey 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 352 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 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: WCC expresses concern over attack against Christians in Jerusalem

Jerusalem. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 30 May 2023 The protestors—who included a prominent far-right rabbi, the chairman of the Ateret Cohanim organization, and a deputy mayor of Jerusalem—are reported to have chanted insults, spat on participants, and smashed windows at the Davidson Center near the Western Wall in Jerusalem where the event was taking place. The Anti-Defamation League Israel described the protestors’ actions as “Despicable hate speech by Jewish extremists against Christian worshippers in Jerusalem.” While not referring to the protest explicitly, the Israel Foreign Ministry condemned “any violation of freedom and worship in Jerusalem and any violence against religious officials in the city. The State of Israel considers freedom of religion and worship in Jerusalem which is holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims, a central value to the fabric of life in the city.” Heads of churches in Jerusalem have repeatedly raised concerns about attacks and harassment by extremist elements in Israeli society, and the grave threats posed to the Christian presence in the city and in the region. Referring to the violent protest, Pillay condemned attacks on Christians and others seeking to exercise their right to freedom of religion in the Holy Land. “The WCC has consistently affirmed the long-held understanding that Jerusalem is a shared Holy City of three religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—and violations to the Status Quo bring division, hardship, and violence,” said Pillay. “We urge the support of the international community and all people of good will to keep Jerusalem as a city that respects the rights of all the people in the Holy Land.” 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 352 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 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

Change.org Petition: Save Icelandic whales - Ban whaling in Iceland

Ban whaling in Iceland 22,226 have signed Hvalavinir Stop whaling in Iceland’s petition. Let’s get to 25,000!

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We demand that Iceland’s government bans whaling once and for all. Whales have taken as long as two hours to die during Icelandic hunts, according to a report by the Icelandic food and veterinary authority. Last year, animal welfare officers were on board the hunting vessel from whaling company Hvalur ehf. and documented and filmed 58 of the 148 fin whales that were killed that season. 36 whales (24%) were shot more than once with explosive harpoons. Of these, five whales were shot three times and four whales were shot four times.  To put this in perspective it takes about 8 minutes to reload the harpoon that then needs to hit a fast moving animal in the ocean more than once if it fails to kill. One whale with a spear in its back was chased for 5 hours without success.  The median time from the first shot to the death of the whales that did not die immediately was 11.5 minutes, and the agonising slow deaths lasted up to two hours.  Three whales were shot but could not be caught and have fought long excruciating deaths.  Horrific treatment of animals in this way is unacceptable.  We demand a revocation of the whaling license and that these brutal killings be stopped and banned once and for all. For more info: Instagram Facebook Webpage Íslenska:   Í nýútkominni skýrslu MAST „Eftirlitsskýrsla- Velferð hvala við veiðar á langreyðum á Íslandi 2022” kemur fram að veiðiaðferðir Hvals hf. leiði til hryllilegra og langdreginna dauðastríða hvala; aðferðirnar stríða gegn lögum um velferð dýra svo ekki verði um villst. Hvalveiðar fara gegn lögum um velferð dýra Samkvæmt skýrslunni uppfylla veiðiaðferðir Hvals hf. engan veginn kröfur sem dýravelferðarlög setja um aflífunaraðferðir. Frávikin eru svo tíð að frekar er um að ræða reglu en undantekningu.  Af þeim 148 hvölum sem voru veiddir í fyrra, voru 36 langreyðar (24%) skotnar oftar en einu sinni með sprengiskutli. Þar af voru fimm hvalir skotnir þrisvar og fjórir hvalir skotnir fjórum sinnum. Einum hval með skutul í bakinu var veitt eftirför í 5 klukkustundir án árangurs. Miðgildi tíma frá fyrsta skoti til dauða hvala þeirra sem drápust ekki strax var 11,5 mínútur og dauðastríð varði í allt að tvær klukkustundir. Þrír hvalir voru skotnir en náðust ekki og hafa háð langt og kvalafullt dauðastríð. Hryllileg meðferð á dýrum með þessum hætti er óásættanleg. Einboðið verður að teljast að afturkalla leyfi til hvalveiða. Frekari uppl:  Instagram Facebook Heimasíða

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