First Annual IDOPP
September 21, 2007
Nearly 100 Church of the Brethren congregations and affiliated communities participated in the first annual celebration of International Day of Prayer for Peace (IDOPP). We joined with the World Council of Churches (WCC) who have organized this ecumenical, interfaith dedication to peace in conjunction with the United Nations.
The response within the Church of the Brethren has been tremendous. It began with a four-month campaign initiated by the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office and On Earth Peace. The initial goal was for forty congregations to plan prayer events, but the response was more than double what was expected, with events planned in Nigeria, Puerto Rico, and fifteen states.
"This initiative has clearly tapped into a widespread desire to take action about violence," says campaign organizer Mimi Copp. She was in touch with Church of the Brethren groups, including congregations, district conferences, colleges, and other institutions that held a wide variety of events in order to raise concerns about violence in their own communities and the world.
The participating groups creatively interpreted the meaning of "prayers for peace" in preparing a wide variety of events, from moments of prayer to entire weekend schedules. Prayer vigils or service took place on the grounds of church properties, around peace poles, along busy roads and other in public spaces, in prayer rooms, and in schools. Events included candlelight prayer walks, fellowship meals, hymn sings, Bible Studies, sermons and worship services. Youth groups became actively involved as they spoke up for the next generation's desire to be a living witness to peace within their heritage as pacifists. Many events were co-planned with other Christian communities and with other religious bodies: Jewish, Muslim, Hindu-Jain.
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Continuing the Prayers for Peace
On Earth Peace continues the work of peacemaking 365 days a year. Our Peace Witness program hekps congregations develop initiatives of organized, unconditional love to overcome evil. Your donation will make a statement that makes a difference.
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Churches in the Spotlight |
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Everett Church of the Brethren
Everett, PA
Despite how busy Friday nights can be, the Everett CoB wanted to make a space where members of their congregation could slow down for a few minutes and pray for peace.
Remembering how breaking bread was what made peace among the disparate ethnic and religious groups in the first century Christian church, the Everett congregation served bread and soup for members.
Members were invited to write prayers on brightly, colored pieces of paper that were on the tables. The prayers were then folded into cranes by the junior high youth group. The youth group shared with the congregation the importance of cranes as a symbol of healing and peace in Japanese culture. These cranes were then put on a prayer tree (see photo) and will be displayed at worship this upcoming Sunday. |
Students around Peace Pole-Elizabethtown College
Congregations across the contry dedicated new peace poles or used them as part of their observation of the International Day of Peace. You can find out about peace poles at: http://www.peacepoles.com/ |
First Church of the Brethren
Harrisburg, PA
The congregation at First Church of the Brethren was the primary organizer of a public, ecumenical prayer vigil that included the local faith-based ministerium. The turn out was very significant and was covered by the local NBC news.
Pastor Belita Mitchell wrote to share that , "At First Church, we have been actively involved in regular public prayer vigils for peace for over two years. Our primary focus has been and continues to be an outcry for an end to the senseless violence in our neighborhoods inflicted through guns, drugs, poverty and injustice." For their September 21 vigil in the Allison Hill neighborhood, "First Church provided the primary organizing leadership and the printed liturgy which was adapted from the resources supplied by Mimi and found online. The local faith based ministerium supported and participated in the vigil. It was a Spirit led inspirational gathering of a multiethnic, intergenerational community united for a common cause." |
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2008 IDOPP
If your congregation wants to be a part of the International Day of Prayer for Peace next year, it is never too early to start planning. On Earth Peace has information and ideas ready to share with pastors and congregational leaders. Please contact Matt Guynn at mattguynn@earthlink.net or 503.775.1636. |
Meditations
on Peace
The simple pamphlet introduces God's love for all people and describes the connection between God's free gift and the commitment to open our hands to each other as peacemakers It is available in English and Spanish, intended for distribution in public space and church literature racks. It is also recommended for discussion in membership classes. The Peace Witness Program of On Earth Peace are happy to help Bible Study Groups wanting to use it as a meditation guide.
Copies can be printed from the On Earth Peace website or ordered copies for $0.10 each by calling or e-mailing Darlene Johnson (410-635-8704).
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 History of IDOPP
Last week, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon rang the Peace Bell at UN's Headquarters in New York. In his statement issued to commemorate this year's Day of Peace, Secretary-General Ban said that "Peace is the United Nations' highest calling. It defines our mission. It drives our discourse. And it draws together all of our world wide work, from peacekeeping and preventive diplomacy to promoting human rights and development."
In 1981, the United Nations (UN) passed a resolution stating that one day a year should be held in observation of peace, promote peaceful conflict resolution. Twenty years later another resolution was passed to clarify that September 21st be International Day of Peace around the world. It has expanded to a formal request for a 24-hour halt of hostilities, and a minute of silence held at noon around the world.
At a 2004 meeting between World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia and then-UN secretary general Kofi Annan, proposed The International Day of Prayer for Peace to coincide with the International Day of Peace. The WCC extends an invitation to its members to pray for peace on September 21 (or the Sunday proceeding it) to join the initiative "to encourage worldwide, 24-hour spiritual observations for peace and nonviolence on the International Day of Peace, 21 September 2007 in every house of worship and place of spiritual practice, by all religious and spiritually based groups and individuals, and by all men, women and children who seek peace in the world." | |
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97 Participating Communities
28th Street CoB (PA)
Agape CoB (IN)
Annville CoB (PA)
Atlantic NEDistrict Disaster Relief Auction (PA)
Beacon Heights CoB (IN)
Beaver Dam (MD)
Beech Run CoB (PA)
Bethany Seminary (IN)
Blue Ball CoB (PA)
Bremen CoB/Center for Peace & Nonviolence (IN)
Bridgewater CoB (VA)
Bridgewater College (VA)
Canton CoB (IL)
Carlisle CoB (PA)
Castaner Iglesia de Los Hermanos (PR)
Center for Peace & Nonviolence (IN)
CoB General Board Offices (IL)
Columbia City CoB (IN)
Daleville CoB (VA)
Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (Nigeria)
Elizabethtown College (PA)
Everett CoB (PA)
Fellowship in Christ (CA)
First Central CoB (KS)
First CoB (KS)
First CoB (IL)
Franklin Grove (IL)
Freeport CoB (IL)
Glendale CoB (PA)
Good Shepherd CoB (VA)
Green Hill CoB (VA)
Greene CoB (IA)
Hagerstown CoB (MD)
Harrisburg First Church (PA)
Hollidaysburg CoB (PA)
Hope CoB (MI)
Imperial Heights CoB (CA)
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Nightime Vigil 
Jesucristo el Camino/His Way (NC)
Juniata College (PA)
La Casa del Amigo (PR)
Lafayette CoB (IN)
Lancaster CoB (PA)
Lansing CoB (MI)
Lititz CoB (PA)
Little Swatara CoB (PA)
Live Oak CoB (CA)
Lower Maimi CoB (OH)
Mack Memorial (OH)
Manassas CoB (VA)
Manchester CoB (IN)
Manchester College (IN)
Manor CoB (MD)
Maple Grove CoB (NC)
McPherson CoB (KS)
McPherson College (KS)
Mechanicsburg CoB (PA)
Miami First CoB (FL)
Miami Haitian (FL) Middlebury (IN)
Middlecreek CoB (PA)
Midland CoB (MI)
Modesto CoB (CA)
Monitor Community CoB (KS)
Monroeville CoB (PA)
Mont Ida CoB (KS)Morgantown CoB/Mennonite (WV)
Mt. Morris CoB (IL)
Mt. Wilson CoB (PA)
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New Covenant CoB (FL)
Nokesville CoB (VA)
Oakton CoB (VA)
Olympia, Lacey Community (WA)
Palmyra CoB (PA)
Peace CoB Council (IA)
Peace Covenant Fellowship (NC)
Peace Seekers of Washington County (WI)
Pleasant Hill CoB (OH)
Potsdam CoB (OH)
Prince of Peace (CO)
Prince of Peace (IN)
Pueblo De Dios Fellowship (PR)
Quinter CoB (KS)
Richmond CoB (IN)
Rios Prieto Iglesia de Los Hermanos (PR)
Root River CoB (MN)
San Diego First CoB (CA)
Segunda Iglesia Cristo Misionera Fellowship (PR)
Skippack CoB (PA)
Skyridge CoB (MI)
Snake Spring Valley CoB (PA)South Central IN District Conference (IN)
St. Petersburg First CoB (FL)
Stone CoB (PA)
Una Nueva Vida en Cristo (VA)
Union Center (IN)
University Park CoB (MD)
Vega Baja Iglesia de Los Hermanos (PR)
Wenatchee Brethren-Baptist Church United (WA)
Westminster CoB (MD)
Yahuecas Cristo Nuestra Paz Fellowship (PR) | |
