Working for Peace

by Erik Alsgaard

Peace with justice throughout the world is a United Methodist Women's goal. So how can Assembly participants educate fellow United Methodists about this cause?

"There are resources everywhere," said Lynda Moore Walker of St. James United Methodist Church in Kansas City, Mo., who staffed an exhibit on peace at Assembly. Here are suggestions for where to start:

• 1,000 Peace Women Across the Globe, a book available at www.1000peacewomen.org, tells the story of women who have made a difference for peace.
• Bread for the World's "One Declaration" materials, bracelets and information available at Assembly can be obtained at www.bread.org.
• per•spec•tives, a newsletter produced by Women's Division staff at the United Nations, highlights the church's ministry with and through the United Nations It is available on the Women's Division website: www.umwmission.org.
• The July-August 2005 issue of Response, available from the Service Center, is on making peace.
• United Methodist Women's Prayers for Peace Campaign is an opportunity to offer prayers and read those of others. Go to the Women's Division website: www.umwmission.org.

Ms. Moore Walker said be creative. There is so much material out there, it can be hard to find a place to start. So just pick one and go for it.