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Generally the question takes the form of "What would you do if a homicidal maniac or escaped convict broke into your house and threatened to kill your wife, or your children, or your mother?" or something of the sort. Front Toward Enemy 9/16/2008  by Max Ediger  One hot and humid day in 1972, I was traveling with a Vietnamese colleague in the countryside of Quang Ngai Province, Central Viet Nam. For reasons I do not remember, we stopped at a small police station along the narrow dirt road. Like most police stations in the countryside during the war, it was surrounded by barbed wire and guard posts. We passed through the guarded gate with no problem and as we alit from our Honda 50 and started walking toward the door of the station, I suddenly noticed three or four claymore mines set amongst the flowers growing in well-kept beds along the front of the building. Unexpectedly coming face to face with any mine is, in itself, stressful but when looking more closely I saw, embossed in bold letters on each claymore the words FRONT TOWARD ENEMY. All of the claymore mines were facing toward me! All I Really Want for Christmas 9/16/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  "All I really want for Christmas is a little more peace on earth."For years, Oak Grove Mennonite Church, my congregation, has begun celebrating Christmas long before Thanksgiving with a "Global Christmas Shop." The Wednesday the week before Thanksgiving, for about two hours, our foyer is transformed into a place to buy a bit of peace and justice for the world in the name of our family and friends. Review of Come Join the Circle: LessonSongs for Peacemaking 9/16/2008  by Paula Russell  You will tap your feet and feel good listening to this CD of 14 songs sung by children and adults. There's a contagious rhythm and beat, from rap to country to hip hop to blues--music that makes learning about peacemaking fun. Children hear positive, inclusive messages about getting along with others and expressing feelings. Through catchy and thought-provoking tunes, listeners are introduced to words and phrases that may not be familiar to them--words like mediation, affirmation, negotiation, and "I" messages. Christian criteria for voting 9/16/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  On what criteria do Christians base their voting decisions? Life experiences? Sunday school or small group discussions? Common sense? The Bible? Perhaps a recent Pew survey on torture () gives us answers. The survey showed that "48 percent of the general public believes torture sometimes or often is justified in order to obtain information from suspected terrorists, [but that] 57 percent of white Southern evangelicals hold that belief." International Meddling 9/16/2008  by Theo Sitther  "In Haiti we have a joke," Djakoli told me while I was in the country as part of an MCC-organized learning tour.The story goes like this: a woman is sitting on the side of the road, selling vegetables. A slick new shiny car pulls up, driven by a Haitian. A white man gets out, who also looks slick in his new suit and tie.The man asks the woman, "If I tell you exactly how many onions are in each box that you are selling, will you give me one box for free?" The woman is intrigued and agrees. The man then pulls out his computer. The screen shows a satellite image of the woman and her vegetables. Then it zeroes in on one box and computes a calculation. A few minutes later the man looks at the woman and says, "There are exactly 250 onions in each box." Waging Peace in Sudan 8/19/2008  by Tammy Alexander  Valentino Achak Deng was just six years old when war came to his home. At the time, Achak's life was not that different from a small child growing up anywhere. He went to school, played with his friends, occasionally got into mischief, and dreamed of owning a bicycle one day.But war was brewing in his country, Sudan. At the heart of the conflict was what is at the heart of most wars--a quest for power and money and control of land and other resources, such as recently discovered oil deposits. One Body, Many Members 8/19/2008  by Tom Beutel  For several weeks this summer, in the adult Sunday School class that I teach, we have been focusing on Jesus' words to his disciples in John 13:34-35, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Lost Sons: book review by Rose Zook 8/19/2008  by Rose Zook  Mystery writer Judy Clemens does a great job of suspense in her new novel, Lost Sons, a paperback published by Herald Press, Scottdale, PA in 2008. The story follows the fictional life of Stan Windemere, a retired police detective. For two long months, he and his wife, Rose, have been waiting to hear word about their son, a naval officer recently MIA while serving in Russia. Their marriage is strained as the couple tries to cope with the tragedy. Reflections on a Native American gathering 8/19/2008  by Leo Hartshorn  I recently attended the Native Ministries assembly (United States and Canada) in Clinton, Oklahoma, held at the Frisco Conference Center on July 28-31, 2008. The theme was Unity and Service: In the Name of Christ (Philippians 2:1-11). New Resource: Reaching Up to God Our Creator 8/19/2008  by Leo Hartshorn  This new resource box was produced by the project team of Neill and Edith von Gunten, co-directors of Native Ministry, Mennonite Church Canada, Elsie Rempel, Director of Christian Education and Nurture for Mennonite Church Canada, and John and Pat Pankratz, volunteers working with First Nations communities. It highlights the common ground of Aboriginal Sacred Teachings and the Bible, in the hope of fostering respect and understanding among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. For such a time: Current advocacy actions 8/19/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  We have made common the phrase, "Pray and Act for Peace." Now the Peace and Justice Support Network website has a new page to help you ACT your advocacy and stay up to date: . Three advocacy actions are current. The worth of water 8/19/2008  by Lisa Amstutz  My family camped last weekend at a small state park in Ohio. The weather was great, the s'mores delectable and the setting beautiful. But the water--ugh! Not only did it leave orange chunks in the bottom of our water containers, it literally curdled the creamer when we used it to make coffee. We finally bought some jugs of water for drinking and cooking, rationing carefully to make them last. Love notes from Cambodia 8/19/2008  by Valerie Ong  "You are lucky. I am not so lucky." I felt more embarrassed than lucky when my tuk tuk (rickshaw) driver, Keo, learned that I am studying (or will be again) in the United States. Keo is 26 years old. War resister deported 7/15/2008  by Esther Epp-Thiessen  Today, July 15th, Robin Long is scheduled for deportation from Canada to the United States. He will be the first American war resister to be deported from Canada. He came to Canada in 2005, after serving two years as a tanker with the U.S. Army at Fort Knox. He had come to the realization that he could not participate in a war that was both illegal and immoral. Like the approximately 50 other "known" resisters who have come to Canada, he has been seeking refugee status. His final appeal was turned down on Monday, July 14. Please pray for Robin, that whatever the outcome, he may find continued courage and strength to be a voice for peace. Esther Epp-Tiessen is Peace Ministries Coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee Canada. Out of sight and out of mind 7/15/2008  by Max Ediger  In a small commune in South Viet Nam's Cu Chi district, the family of 21-year-old Tran Anh Kiet struggles with the problems of daily living. His feet, hands and limbs are twisted and deformed. He writhes in evident frustration, and his attempts at speech are confined to plaintive and pitiful grunts. Kiet has to be spoon-fed. He is an adult stuck inside the stunted body of a 15-year-old, with a mental age of around six. He is what the local villagers refer to as an Agent Orange baby. Word matters 7/15/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  Recently I was glancing over emails from a secular peace group debating none too politely how to stop a possible war with Iran. One message from Fred Miller, President of Peace Action of Washington state, caught my eye. He suggested that, "If the peace movement's main message is "No War with Iran," that signals to everyone that war with Iran must be very important. Since even we aren't talking about peace with Iran, peace must be unimportant." Book review--Changing Paradigms 7/15/2008  by Jeff Walker  The U.S. Supreme Court on 16 April 2008 ruled that the execution of prisoners by lethal injection does not violate the Constitution, setting in motion a mass lifting of individual state moratoriums on capital punishment cases. Georgia inmate William Lynd became the first inmate to die at the hands of the state as a result of the high court's ruling. Corrections officials and death penalty opponents alike expect a veritable wave of executions across the country through the rest of the year.Thus Paul Redekop's Changing Paradigms: Punishment and Restorative Discipline could not arrive at a more crucial time. Torturous policies 7/15/2008  by Gabe Schlabach  John Conyers and John Yoo were locked in an epic duel of wits. Conyers, the House Judiciary Committee Chair, was questioning Yoo, a former Justice Department lawyer and author of several legal memos supporting the use of torture. The date was June 26, 2008. The venue: a House Judiciary Committee Hearing ().Conyers began: "Is there anything, Professor Yoo, that the president could not order to be done to a suspect if he believed it necessary for national defense?" Subversive Songs: A reflection based on Revelation 5:6-14 6/17/2008  by Leo Hartshorn  At the beginning of this year, I started drawing a series of ink and scratchboard drawings I entitled with the acronym M.U.S.I.C: Musicians Undermining Social Injustice Creatively (). In this series of drawings I have drawn images of musicians with a social conscience along with lyrics from one of their songs that speak about justice, peace, nonviolence, racism, worker's rights, hunger and poverty. One of the drawings is of Billie Holiday, a jazz and blues singer with a unique vocal quality. Her music is not known to be subversive or politically provocative...except for her song Strange Fruit. It is a song about the lynching of African-American men. It’s Time to Talk 6/17/2008  by Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach  Last fall, Mennonite Central Committee was invited to host the third in a series of dialogues between Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and North American religious leaders. The dialogues have not been without controversy. President Ahmadinejad has made numerous provocative statements about Israel and the Holocaust. And the U.S. government continues to ratchet up threats to use force against Iran. Hearing words of wisdom in strange places 6/17/2008  by Max Ediger  "I'm not saying that every Muslim is a terrorist, but I am saying that every terrorist is a Muslim!"These words of a young leader of the fundamentalist Hindutva movement brought cheers from the angry mob gathered in an open field in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was February 2002 and the local Hindutva leaders were feeling powerful and invincible. Their call to drive all non-Hindus out of the state were bringing in large crowds and local political leaders often acted in open support of them. Women and migration learning tour 6/17/2008  by Leo Hartshorn  The impact of migration is experienced differently based upon one's gender. Gender is becoming an important element in migration theory. Book Review--Borders and Bridges 6/17/2008  by Leonard Nolt  Borders and Bridges: Mennonite Witness in a Religiously Diverse World is a collection of reports on how Mennonites are working at witnessing today in numerous locations around the world. They are written by people who are actually working in those locations. The stories vary according to location, but as Stanley Green, Executive Director of the Mennonite Mission Network, writes in the foreword they "all have in common a commitment to non-coercive human engagement that values the other." Food and Peace, Part 1: KISS 6/17/2008  by Tom Beutel  It is safe to say that with regard to food, things are NOT as they ought to be. There are many food-related problems in the world, the most serious of which is probably the fact that 854 million people world-wide suffer from hunger with up to 300 million more at risk due to current food shortages and food price increases . It is estimated that over 10 million children die each year due to hunger and preventable diseases. This is equivalent to over 30,000/day or approximately one every 3 seconds! Created from one jewel: Journal Entry 5/22/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  Journal 5/22/08 by Susan Mark Landis in Iran. Can We Finally Learn from History? 5/20/2008  by Max Ediger  Many of our history books tell us of a pair of attacks in 1964 carried out by naval forces of North Vietnam against two American destroyers, the USS Maddox and the USS Turner Joy. We learn from our history books that these attacks took place in the Gulf of Tonkin along the coast of Viet Nam and that they were the justification for increased U.S. military action in Southeast Asia. In fact, the outcome of the incident was the passage by Congress of the Southeast Asia Resolution, or the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which served as President Johnson's legal justification for escalating American involvement in Viet Nam. Faith and Feet 5/20/2008  by Valerie Ong  You're going to walk 75 miles in the desert!? This is usually the response I receive when I tell someone I'll be participating in an event called the Migrant Trail and walking through the Arizona desert from May 26 through June 1. I will walk along with other Mennonite Central Committee staff and constituents, as well as many other anticipated participants. Reflections on Modern Activism 5/20/2008  by Gabe Schlabach  Peace and justice activism is really struggling to make a difference these days. This lack of effectiveness affects all who care about peace and justice issues, but it is especially palpable for those of us whose social justice convictions come from a deeply-held religious faith. Lessons from Daniel 5/20/2008  by June Mears Driedger  Apparently Gandhi admired Daniel. (As in "the lion's den and the fiery furnace" Daniel.) Gandhi admired Daniel's wisdom and nonviolent resistance to the empire ruled by King Nebuchadnezzar. In contemporary language, Daniel knew how "to speak truth to power." Reflections for the media on a 12-day trip to Iran 5/20/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  Journal 5/20/08 by Susan Mark Landis in Iran. Someone loves you 5/20/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  As I languidly lay in my own bed at home after days on the road and closed my eyes, daring traffic patterns and huge plates of rice, bazaar shops and ancient mosques danced past. When I unpacked my suitcases, the smells of Iran wafted through the room--the dust, chicken kabobs, polluting traffic, pomegranates, pistachios and dates, the sweat of women wearing scarves and long sleeves in 90-degree weather, masked by perfumes. Book Review--Plant a Seed of Peace 5/20/2008  by Susan Huyard  Plant a Seed of Peace uses the analogy of growing seeds into plants as a way of describing how our part in peace can start little like a seed and produce much. It has 43 easy-to-read stories of peacemakers who have made choices in their lives that have grown and spread in an infectious way. They are a testimony of many lives that have made a difference by putting their faith into action. It ends by inviting the reader to plant a seed and imagine the possibilities of growth into a garden of peace. Created from one jewel: Journal Entry 5/18/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  Journal 5/18/08 by Susan Mark Landis in Iran. Created from one jewel: Journal Entry 5/12/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  Journal 5/12/08 by Susan Mark Landis in Iran. Created from one jewel: Journal Entry 5/9/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  Journal 5/09/08 by Susan Mark Landis in Iran. Created from one jewel: Journal Entry 5/6/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  Journal entry #2 5/06/08 by Susan Mark Landis in Iran. Created from one jewel: Journal Entry 5/6/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  Journal entry 5/06/08 by Susan Mark Landis in Iran. Created from one jewel: Journal Entry 5/3/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  Journal entry 5/03/08 by Susan Mark Landis in Iran. Created from one jewel: Journal Entry 5/1/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  Journal entry 5/01/08 by Susan Mark Landis in Iran. Created from one jewel: Journal Entry 4/28/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  Journal entry 4/28/08 by Susan Mark Landis in Iran. Created from one jewel: Journal Entry 4/24/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  Journal entry 4/24/08 by Susan Mark Landis in Iran. Obama, Wright, and Racism in America 4/15/2008  by Leo Hartshorn  On March 18, 2008, Barack Obama gave a speech on race in Philadelphia. It is a rare moment in American history when a public figure speaks openly and honestly about racism. Not that Obama was one to publicly address racism before this speech, unlike his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. One of the reasons Obama has attracted so many white voters, even though he is an African-American, is because he has not made race a central issue of his presidential campaign. Peace, Justice, and Love 4/15/2008  by Tom Beutel  There are at least two problems with advocating for peace. First, there is some confusion about what peace really means. Is peace the absence of conflict, violence, or war? Is peace an inner sense of contentment or well-being? Is peace reconciliation with God? Different people and, in fact, different Christians, see peace in very different ways.Second, even when we can more or less agree on what we mean by peace, we may still disagree on appropriate means of achieving peace. Is it proper to use violent means to achieve peace? Or, if not violence, what about coercive means, force, or deception? Do the ends justify the means? Celebrating Creation: Earth Day 2008 4/15/2008  by Lisa Amstutz  Last weekend, I attended a meeting of outdoor educators at a Mennonite camp to prepare for upcoming visits by several inner-city schools. During these visits, the children will experience Creation in new ways, and will perhaps catch a glimpse of the Creator in the process. A school counselor reminded us of the fears that some will feel as they disembark their buses and step into the woods. Many of them face far more dangerous situations daily, yet the natural world can seem an alien place, with unfamiliar smells, sights, and sounds. Book Review--Send Forth Your Light (Willard Swartley) 4/15/2008  by Muriel T. Stackley  Swartley has graced the Beloved Community with an always-necessary synthesis of peace and mission, this time appropriately adding "worship". This is a message for adult Christians (its eleven chapters useful for a three-month Sunday school class curriculum), but it should also permeate everything that we teach youth and (by inference) children. What is the church saying about immigration? 4/15/2008  by Leo Hartshorn  What is the church saying about immigration? It's an important question for several reasons. First, immigration is a current and critical issue within U.S. social, economic and political contexts. Second, attitudes and policies toward immigrants affect millions of people. Third, as Anabaptist communities formed by the "politics of Jesus," the church should reflect a different posture toward immigrants than the dominant culture. Our faith calls us to respond in faithful ways. A Letter to the Candidates: Calling for Respect and Tolerance 4/15/2008  by Krista Zimmerman  Please join Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Central Committee in signing a letter to the presidential candidates asking them to use their influence with their respective parties to encourage a respectful and tolerant immigration debate. Angels in Our Midst 4/15/2008  by Valerie Ong  As Iraqi refugees living in the United States, Ahmad and Farah* expressed their concerns for practicing their faith. Ahmad and Farah are dedicated Muslims but did not feel comfortable attending a mosque in the United States, to avoid any possible dangers that may stem from their public Muslim affiliation. However, they needed a way to pray to God, and found it possible to do so at a local Mennonite church. Counting the Cost 3/18/2008  by Tom Beutel  Not paying the full cost of our lifestyle decisions also undermines peace in numerous ways. Biblical peace, shalom, involves the material well-being of all humans. By shifting some of the costs of our lifestyles onto others, we reduce their well-being. As we live lives of injustice, we break our peace with God who is a God of justice and requires us to be people of justice. As we harm the environment, we break shalom with God's creation. They're Counting (on) You 3/18/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  March 2-10 I walked the streets and halls of Washington, D.C., talking to the "suits and collars*" so prominent there. I studied and advocated for two issues which deeply affect our lives and the lives of millions of others--the war on Iraq and immigration. Everywhere I went, there were votes and counts to contend with. How many people in my constituency feel this way? If we vote this way, will it carry? Will it be vetoed? Is this issue worth the risk of sticking out my neck? Holy Resistance: A Holy Week Tradition 3/18/2008  by June Mears Driedger  On Good Friday, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ralph Abernathy left the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church a few hours after the announced starting time for the march. They led nearly forty people who were willing to be arrested by the notorious Bull Connor, sheriff of Birmingham, Alabama. Colombia Free Trade: Whose Security? 3/18/2008  by Theo Sitther  Justapaz, a peace and justice ministry of the Colombian Mennonite Church, recently released the report A Prophetic Call: Colombian Churches Document their Suffering and their Hope. This report documents cases of human rights abuses carried out by all the armed actors in Colombia, including the government forces. One such case is of a young farmer named Roberto who was shot dead, dressed in fatigues and presented as a guerilla member. What’s the War Like In Your Country? 3/18/2008  by Max Ediger  "What's the war like in your country?" The question came from a young teenager in the city of Quang Ngai, Viet Nam. The year was 1972 and Quang Ngai, where the infamous My Lai Massacre had taken place some years earlier, was still struggling to survive the ongoing war which, despite promises from the U.S. government, saw no light at the end of the tunnel. Displaced in the United States 2/19/2008  by Krista Zimmerman  In the United States, we often hear about displaced people in other countries. Most of us think less frequently about people who may be displaced within the United States, a relatively wealthy and stable country. M.U.S.I.C.: Musicians Undermining Social Injustice Creatively 2/19/2008  by Leo Hartshorn  As one who has been an artist and a musician for many years, I have been inspired by musicians who have used their gifts to communicate messages of peace and social justice, as well as to support similar causes through their funds and public influence. Preaching to the Choir? 2/19/2008  by Tom Beutel  Several nights ago I opened a seminar series at the Christian university where I teach with a presentation on Christian pacifism. The seminar series, which runs through the spring semester, will focus on the Christian's position on issues of war and peace. The object of my presentation was to present the case for pacifism and peacemaking based primarily on Jesus' teachings of nonviolent resistance and love of enemies. Living in a Strange Land 2/19/2008  by Max Ediger  Like the ancient people of Israel, many people throughout the world live as exiles in a strange land. Over 150,000 such people from Burma make their homes in crowded, unhealthy refugee camps in Thailand. Their songs, once filled with celebration as they planted and harvested their crops, are now filled with sorrow and longing--longing to live in their own homes in dignity and peace. Migration and Trade Learning Tour 2/19/2008  by Leo Hartshorn  One of the men at the No Mas Muertas station on the Mexican side of the border at Nogales was replacing his shoelaces. I looked at the tennis shoes on the men who were in line to receive food, and most of them were without shoelaces. The border patrol removes the shoelaces of those who have tried to cross over the Mexican border so that it is harder for them to run away from the border patrol if they try again. Doing is Believing 1/15/2008  by Tom Beutel  We, as peacemakers, need to heed the words of Jesus that we should do what he taught and commanded. We need to be actively promoting and doing those things that bring peace and justice, not simply railing or protesting against those things that do not. Going to Inconvenient Ends 1/15/2008  by Susan Mark Landis  Perhaps the best way to teach peace to our children is to be on the journey ourselves and invite our children along. The Women of Congo Lost in the 'War on Terror' 1/15/2008  by Tammy Alexander  Our federal government spends billions each year to maintain our military capacity, but what about our diplomatic capacity? For a fraction of the cost of the Iraq war, we could send teams of diplomats, conflict resolution specialists, and trauma experts to places like Congo, Uganda, and Sudan. The Search for Deeper Truths 1/15/2008  by Max Ediger  It is often tempting to travel as a tourist, seeing only the recommended "sacred spots" and passing by the harsh realities of our modern world, Just Coffee: Caffiene with a Conscience 12/18/2007  by Leo Hartshorn  The leadership of the Peace and Justice Support Network, Mennonite Church USA would like to encourage individuals and congregations, who are supporters of PJSN, to also support Just Coffee by purchasing their fine Arabica coffee. Christmas Lights 12/18/2007  by Tom Beutel  As peacemakers it is important to remember that there is not real peace when our actions negatively impact others or the environment. Peace in its broadest sense consists of healthy, right relationships with God, self, others and the environment. Broken Walls and Crossed Borders 12/18/2007  by Leo Hartshorn  A meditation on Ephesians 2:12-22. Epiphany: But Where is God? 12/18/2007  by June Mears Driedger  Wise women and men searching for God today need to bear the frankincense that leads them into prayer, that says, I don't know it all, I'm open to God's unknown future, to what God may do next, not just what God has done already. A Time to Give 12/18/2007  by Melonie Buller  Why donate to the Peace and Justice Support Network? Web Wanderings: Clicking for Change 12/18/2007  by Lisa Amstutz  Among the seemingly infinite resources available on the Internet are sites enabling visitors to make a change in the world at the click of the mouse button. All I Want for Christmas is ... 12/18/2007  by Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach  What better time than Christmas to give support to the words we see on so many greeting cards - "peace on earth and goodwill to all." Silent Night Holy Night 12/18/2007  by Max Ediger  We too easily see the fear and suffering etched in the faces of the oppressed and this raises up our own feelings of sympathy and pity for them, but perhaps does not give us the hope we need to energize our actions in more creative and effective ways. Active Pacifism 11/20/2007  by Gabe Schlabach  Modern-day pacifism, even in a time of war, often seems to be little more than an attempt to separate ourselves from the actions of our country. Preparing for Advent 11/20/2007  by June Mears Driedger  As Christians, we place our hope in the fact that God is a God of peace, of justice, of love and of grace. Our hope is grounded by the transformation around us and in us that causes to grow us into a deeper experience and relationship with God. Is there room for justice in Advent? 11/20/2007  by Susan Mark Landis  What might be different if when we begin planning for Advent and Christmas, our personal and congregational questions like, "How will I choose to be an angel, proclaiming peace to all, this year?" Fury, Despair, Solace, and Joy 10/16/2007  by Muriel T. Stackley  Late-summer journal entries from Kansas City. Walking and Chewing Gum at the Same Time 10/16/2007  by Tom Beutel  Each of us must decide, thoughtfully and prayerfully, how best to be engaged in the political life of our country. As followers of Christ we must find ways to work within the culture, including political means when appropriate, to bring relief to those who suffer. Inspiration Points in the Work for Peace 10/16/2007  by Susan Mark Landis  Listening to women from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Palestine, Syria, Cuba and North Korea crooning to their little ones raises up the tender, necessary anger and courage to work against the evil of war. Lessons from the Road 9/18/2007  by Todd Steele  Reflections from a cross-country trip home, listening to The Omnivores' Dilemma and snacking on fresh peaches. Fair Trade: A Matter of Peace and Justice 9/18/2007  by Tom Beutel  The issue of fair trade can be complex and confusing; however, one way to simplify the issue is to "count the cost." Life's no mystery 9/18/2007  by Susan Mark Landis  We rarely expect good from people who have committed horrible acts. We prefer to lock them away with little chance at true rehabilitation. Youth Voices: Peace, Justice and Politics 9/18/2007  by Theo Sitther  The Mennonite Central Committee's Washington office is seeking essay submissions from youth on issues confronting Christians in the U.S. and around the world. Fifty-cent folk 9/18/2007  by Susan Mark Landis  As we pass our offering bags on Sunday morning, my congregation now also passes globe banks, with a note saying, "doing our part to cut world hunger in half by 2015." Lord, have mercy 8/21/2007  by June Mears Driedger  This prayer comes easy when we don't have a solution to crisis and can only ask God to surround us with mercy. Peace and Justice 101 8/21/2007  by Tom Beutel  Shalom is only possible when there is justice. Where injustice exists, at least one of the three components of shalom will not be present. Remembering Rightly: Reflections on Memory, Truth, and Healing 8/21/2007  by Leo Hartshorn  Right remembering is a healing and reconciling understanding of memory. It is an important, but tough, approach to recalling wrongs perpetrated against victims, especially if you are the victim of the abuse. Finding Anna Bee 8/21/2007  by Staff  A short review of the book, "Finding Anna Bee" submitted by Katelyn Amstutz, 10. Racism in the Workplace 8/21/2007  by Leo Hartshorn  Today racism is more subtle and cloaked than in the days of Jim Crow, but it is still alive and well nonetheless. And the workplace is a significant arena for racism to operate "openly undercover." Domesticating the Gospel 8/21/2007  by June Mears Driedger  As we seek to engage the world as peacemakers, we run the risk of domestication. Blowback 8/21/2007  by Max Ediger  While the U.S. government makes attempts to regulate the use of dangerous chemicals in the U.S. they are not doing enough to control the production and export of the same. Saying Yes to Jesus 7/17/2007  by June Mears Driedger  Saying yes to Jesus is not about preserving ourselves, but about building up the body of Christ and living under God's reign. Educate, Agitate and Organize 7/17/2007  by Max Ediger  We need to confront those within our Christian faith who promote God as a God of war and revenge rather than a God of compassion, forgiveness and love, for it is this negative image of God that is threatening to make Christianity an "untouchable" faith to much of the world. Walking in the Paths of Peace, Part III 7/17/2007  by Perry Yoder  Perry Yoder offers the third in a three-part commentary on the paths of peace with a focus on Jeremiah. Five Percent Hog the M&M's 7/17/2007  by Staff  A seminar on consumption offered to youth and the Mennonite Church USA conference held in San Jose, Calif. Healthy Eating as Peacemaking 7/17/2007  by Tom Beutel  Contrary to the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:29 we, in the 21st century and particularly in the United States, do not tend to adequately "nourish" and "tenderly care for" our bodies. Go Tell it in the Newspaper! 7/17/2007  by Susan Mark Landis  Might now be the time for people to hear the truth that not only was this war a bad idea, but ANY war is a bad idea? U.S. vs. Them 7/17/2007  by J. Daryl Byler  Militarism cannot create the long-term conditions necessary for peace. May 2007 Board meeting report from MC USA appointee 6/22/2007  by Steve Ratzlaff  NCPTF once again met at the campaign offices in Washington, DC. Artisans for Social Change 6/19/2007  by Leo Hartshorn  The personal story behind a new poster series. Peacemaking through Forgiving 6/19/2007  by June Mears Driedger  The story of a boy, a man and a rock offers a lesson in forgiveness. Our Unknown Connections to the "Least of These" 6/19/2007  by Max Ediger  Controversy with a manufacturing plant in Plachimada, India, leaves a sour taste. Power Without Conscience 6/19/2007  by Tom Beutel  Religious groups are again calling for concerted action by people of faith to end the threat of nuclear weapons. Why are They Throwing Tomatoes at Burger King? 6/19/2007  by Leo Hartshorn  Leo says it looks like he'll have to lay off the Whoppers for a while. Gardening as Peacemaking 5/15/2007  by Tom Beutel  By growing and caring for even a limited amount of fruit and vegetables, trees and shrubs, or flowers and other plants we are participating in the task given the first humans directly, which involves shalom in several ways. A Space Only God Can Fill 5/15/2007  by Max Ediger  Organizations like the WTO, World Bank, IMF and other globally influential institutions refuse to hear the voices of the people. Will violence be the only language the poor and oppressed are finally left with? Changing the Rules 5/15/2007  by Kristin Sampson  By opening up our horizon of understanding we can move more intentionally to truly be people who witness to the essential link between peace and justice. Walking in the Paths of Peace, Part II 5/15/2007  by Perry Yoder  Perry Yoder offers the second in a three-part commentary on the paths of peace with a focus on Jeremiah. Challenging Words 4/17/2007  by PeaceSigns Staff  Readers had varying responses to Susan Mark Landis' review of a trip to Washington D.C. as part of a peace initiative and the events that occurred during the weekend. Resuscitating Hope 4/17/2007  by June Mears Driedger  A thank-you for the gift of Jesus, and a plea that we be mindful of his example are offered as the arrival of spring brings renewed energy. Breathe deep. Rule of Law 4/17/2007  by J. Daryl Byler  The rule of law must still be applied, regardless of the stress of the moment. Relationships Between Peace and Justice 4/17/2007  by Leo Hartshorn  Leo provides insight on the relationship between peace and justice and offers questions for discussion in a small group atmosphere. PJSN at San Jose 4/17/2007  by Leo Hartshorn  Leo reviews what you'll find and who you'll meet at the Peace and Justice Support Network sessions, seminars and displays at the Mennonite USA assembly in San Jose this July. Loving Enemies 4/17/2007  by Tom Beutel  We are to love our enemies not only because God loves His enemies and takes care of both the "good" and the "evil", the "righteous" and the "unrighteous", but also because we are bound to our enemies by a common humanity. Living the Alternative Wisdom of Jesus 4/17/2007  by June Mears Driedger  We can find inspiration in the words of theologians, peace activists and even billboards along an interstate. Action Planning with Immigrant Families Affected by an Immigration Raid 4/13/2007  by Gilberto Pérez Jr.  Action Planning with Immigrant Families Affected by an Immigration Raid, Gilberto Pérez Jr., MSW, ACSW, Bienvenido Program Director, Northeastern Center, Inc. Safety for all 4/13/2007  by Jodi Read  Safety for all: Jodi ReadAssociate for Migration and PeacebuildingWest Coast Mennonite Central Committee Planting in the City 3/20/2007  by Lisa Amstutz  Citizens in California gather to win support for a Habitat for Humanity project on the former site of an Army Reserve center. Flesh of My Flesh 3/20/2007  by Tom Beutel  Women throughout the world live lives that mock their beginning as co-regents with men in taking care of the world. Mustard Seeds Matter 3/20/2007  by June Mears Driedger  Might there be something in the butterfly effect that Jesus is trying to tell us? Possibly that even the smallest intention and action toward following can help bring the kingdom of God into being. Let Us Pray 3/20/2007  by Susan Mark Landis  A busy and inspiring weekend in Washington D.C. unveils a conviction to "take part in something that would encourage my sisters and brothers in the faith and enable them to speak out of their convictions to decision-makers in our country." Have Dominion over the Earth 3/14/2007  by Matt T.  This article by Matt T. was the first place winner in the 2006 Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Washington Office Annual Public Policy Essay Contest. A Poverty Draft versus Reinstatement of the Draft: 3/14/2007  by Hannah R.  This article by Hannah R. tied for third place in the 2006 Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Washington Office Annual Public Policy Essay Contest. The Heavens Declare the Glory of God 3/14/2007  by Meg K.   This article by Meg K.. was the second place winner in the 2006 Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Washington Office Annual Public Policy Essay Contest. A Poverty Draft versus Reinstatement of the Draft: 3/14/2007  by Rachel L.  This article by Rachel L tied for third place in the 2006 Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Washington Office Annual Public Policy Essay Contest What is a CO? 2/23/2007    Conscientious objection means you simply will not and can not kill because of what you believe. To be certain that people don't claim to be CO's just to get out of being in the military, laws define a CO. Delayed Enlistment Program 2/23/2007    If you or someone you know has already enlisted in the military Delayed Enlistment Program (DEP) for high school students, make sure they know the following: Proving you’re a peacemaker 2/23/2007    If you are reading this, you're old enough to begin keeping a 'Peacemaker File' (sometimes called a Draft File.) If you are called before a draft board to prove that you are a CO, this file is your evidence. A Lifelong peacemaker 2/23/2007    The skills you develop and the activities you spend time on can not only create peace now, but can prepare you to be a more effective peacemaker later on. Walking in the Paths of Peace 2/20/2007  by Perry Yoder  The first of three Bible studies presented for PeaceSigns by Perry Yoder. Wrestling with the Meaning of Jesus' Death 2/20/2007  by Leo Hartshorn  A two-day conference in Akron, Pa. centered on understanding the death of Jesus. Mass Exodus 2/20/2007  by J. Daryl Byler  Displaced Iraqis are flooding Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and other countries. Little is being done by the U.S. to address the problem. Powerful Points 2/20/2007  by Leo Hartshorn  The facts and visuals presented in "An Inconvenient Truth" might inspire all of us to action. Simple Living: Less is More 2/20/2007  by Maria Byler  Simple living is also called voluntary simplicity. The point is to examine what we have and decide when we have enough. Then we give the rest away. Games Children Play 1/16/2007  by Susan Mark Landis  Susan takes a look at the lessons we can offer children and offers resources for information on how to approach playtime in a nonviolent way. Angels Watching Over Children 12/19/2006  by Leo Hartshorn  A modern-day theodicy from Colorado Springs written on a shocking day in October The Year of I 12/19/2006  by Susan  Our society still runs counter to Jesus' idea that the way to vanquish enemies is to love them, the way to stop the hordes from stealing to feed their children is to share generously with them, the way to win is to serve. Mary's Song of the Poor 12/19/2006  by Leo Hartshorn  to win is to serve.A Scripture meditation offers insight on "the most revolutionary document in the world." It's a Wonderful Life 12/19/2006  by Tom Beutel  Opportunities abound to spread awareness, evangelize and advocate for change in systems and practices that harm people and contribute to their poverty. 'God Will Take Care of Me' 11/21/2006  by Susan Mark Landis  Freedom of choice meets the challenge of life as an undocumented immigrant in a real-world example that shows how addressing immigration issues could impact lives in the United States. Competition as Religion? 11/21/2006  by Max Ediger  We would do well to spend less time competing and more time at play. Winning and Losing and Being the Church 11/21/2006  by Tom Beutel  While it may be difficult or impossible for us to put in place comprehensive solutions to the problems of our country and our world, there is much we can do as individuals, congregations, and denominations. Local Food is a Win-Win Prospect 11/21/2006  by Kristi Bahrenburg Janzen  Simple steps can make local food a regular, and healthy, part of your everyday meals. Teaching Peace 10/17/2006  by Tom Beutel  In order to teach peace, we must be grounded in our values, aware of what is happening around us and willing to express our joys and concerns. How Big's Your Footprint? 10/17/2006  by Lisa Amstutz  We're using the Earth's resources faster than they can be regenerated. Try an online quiz to see what your impact on resources might be. For Further Action, Study and Reflection 10/7/2006  by Tim Sidel  Suggestions for further action, study and reflection to enhance the Advent Advocacy 2006 materials. Face-to-Face 9/19/2006  by J. Daryl Byler  The only thing that U.S. and Iranian leaders have to lose by talking face-to-face is stubborn pride, which has hardened in the 25 plus years since the two nations cut diplomatic ties in 1979. The Healing, Broken Heart 9/19/2006  by Max Ediger  A dispatch on the morning of Sept. 11, 2006, provides a reminder that there are many ways of looking at life. Part II: Endocrine Disruption 9/19/2006  by Kristi Bahrenburg Janzen  Steps we can take to minimize exposure to endocrine disruption and make the world less toxic for today's kids. Just the Facts, Ma'am 9/19/2006  by Susan Mark Landis  As the Psalmist reminds us to "seek peace and pursue it," we need to seek the truth from reliable, responsible sources when setting our path for peace. You Shall Not Kill 9/19/2006  by Tom Beutel  We need to take action to relieve suffering and possibly prevent death, or advocate for changes in policies and practices that cause death directly or indirectly. Book Review 8/15/2006  by Leo Hartshorn  Mark Lewis Taylor offers some handles to better understand our political world beyond simple right and left, conservative and liberal labeling. Pass the Light of Peace 8/15/2006  by Susan Mark Landis  Three rubles and a wish to work for peace have brought peace candles to churches around the world. Intentional Peacemaking: Refrain & Finale 8/15/2006  by Tom Beutel  Peace with ourselves comes from acknowledging and accepting who we are and affirming that we are children of God, loved by God, and called to be co-workers with God in fostering shalom. Where is Compassionate Leadership? 8/15/2006  by Max Ediger  Compassion is a deep awareness of the suffering of others coupled with the wish to relieve that suffering. But wanting to relieve the suffering of one should not, cannot, result in creating suffering for others. Action responses on the anniversary of September 11, 2001 8/13/2006  by Susan Mark Landis  Many people re-examined their lives and made huge commitments and changes after the horrors our nation suffered five years ago. Some protested against war. Some searched for the truth and told it publicly. Middle East Crisis 7/18/2006  by Susan Mark Landis  A guide to consider as we pray for peace in the Middle East. Coming Home from Conflict 7/18/2006  by Susan Mark Landis  Maybe God knows that we heal by helping others, especially those whom we have hurt. The Economics of Shalom 7/18/2006  by Tom Beutel  Economic and and social choices we make impact the peace in our lives, and in the lives of others. A Plea for God’s Help 7/18/2006  by June Mears Driedger  A call to God as we watch our world at war. Transforming our use of water 6/20/2006  by Tom Beutel  An important part of intentional peacemaking is to provide relief from lack of clean water. Our hormones are under assault 6/20/2006  by Kristi Bahrenburg Janzen  What we can do about endocrine disruption. Haditha: Aberration or atrocity? 6/20/2006  by Leo Hartshorn  War is fought with bloody hands, with tooth and claw. War is not like a football game where everybody plays by a commonly accepted set of rules. Be open to new ideas 6/20/2006  by PeaceSigns Staff  We need to be open to others' ideas of God. A prayer for comfort in times of war 6/20/2006  by Susan Mark Landis  In response to the capture and killing of two soldiers in Iraq, we must pray as we are caught in cycles of violence. Peace Sunday 2006 6/20/2006  by Leo Hartshorn  Resources are available for the focus on loving God and neighbor. May 2006 Board meeting report from MC USA appointee 6/14/2006  by Steve Ratzlaff  NCPTF once again met at the campaign offices in Washington, DC. May 2006 Board meeting report from MC USA appointee 6/12/2006  by Steve Ratzlaff  NCPTF once again met at the campaign offices in Washington, DC. U.S. healthcare: A need for change 5/16/2006  by Glen E. Miller  On the issue of healthcare we must be people of compassion responding to people in need. Interceding for the impossible 5/16/2006  by Susan Mark Landis  A look at prayer needs through the eyes of Christian Peacemaker Teams. Intentional peacemaking: Welcoming strangers 5/16/2006  by Tom Beutel  When we limit the idea of peace we unwittingly gut the Gosepl of its very heart. No longer afraid? 5/16/2006  by Max Ediger  Can we break down the walls rising between the U.S. and the rest of the world? MCCers statement on Cedecol church gathering 4/24/2006  by Janna Hunter-Bowman  For me it was noteworthy that all speakers, everyone from the Mennonites and other Protestant denominations with more defined theologies to more independent evangelical and Pentecostal churches, consistently and without exception spoke of nonviolence as the only option. Evangelical Church Leaders pledge action for peace in Colombia 4/24/2006  by Janna Hunter-Bowman  Evangelical church leaders in Colombia have pledged to redouble their efforts to help bring an end to the country's brutal conflict, and they have appealed to all Colombians to "devote ourselves to serving our neighbour, even if that neighbour is an enemy." Invitation from JustaPaz 4/24/2006  by Janna Hunter-Bowman  For me it was noteworthy that all speakers, everyone from the Mennonites and other Protestant denominations with more defined theologies to more independent evangelical and Pentecostal churches, consistently and without exception spoke of nonviolence as the only option. Preaching peace can get you killed 4/24/2006  by Lora Steiner  On March 2, Oscar Muñoz Perez, pastor of the Colombian Christian Missionary and Alliance Church in Buenaventura, Colombia, was shot and killed by armed men. Witnesses identified the men as a part of the paramilitary group Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC). Babies prompt environmental action 4/18/2006  by Kristi Bahrenburg Janzen  The personal choices we make can indeed have an impact on global warming. The Empire strikes again? 4/18/2006  by Leo Hartshorn  America's "messianic" mission appears to be hauntingly similar to the view of the Caesars and the Roman empire of Jesus' day. Intentional peacemaking: Peace with ourselves 4/18/2006  by Tom Beutel  A review of the second major element of shalom: peace with and within ourselves.