More than 50 churches to observe day of prayer for peace.

As of Aug. 24, 54 congregations or colleges associated with the Church of the Brethren are planning a time of prayer on or near Friday, Sept. 21, to mark the International Day of Prayer for Peace, according to an update from On Earth Peace. The Brethren Witness/Washington Office of the Church of the Brethren General Board and On Earth Peace are encouraging congregations and faith communities to hold public prayer events. The day of prayer is connected with the World Council of Churches’ Decade to Overcome Violence.

The next networking call for those planning events will be offered on Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. eastern time. The call facilitator is Matt Guynn, coordinator of peace witness for On Earth Peace. To register contact Mimi Copp, organizer for the International Day of Prayer for Peace in the Church of the Brethren, at 260-479-5087 or miminski@gmail.com.

In addition to the more than 50 congregations and organizations taking part, "We are also very excited to learn that our sisters and brothers in the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria, are planning to participate," said On Earth Peace. In addition, the Brethren Witness/Washington Office is hosting a delegation of people from five continents, through the World Council of Churches. The office will be taking the group around the east coast, including a stop in "Amish country," and ending up in New York City on Sept. 21 to be part of the United Nation’s service of prayer for peace.

Following are some examples of peace events being planned by congregations:

• Skippack Church of the Brethren in Philadelphia, Pa., is installing a peace pole on Sept. 21.
  
  
• Una Nueva Vida en Cristo church in Floyd, Va., is planning Bible study and prayer about the importance of peace in our world and our responsibility as Christians to achieve peace.
  
  
• Lower Miami Church of the Brethren in Dayton, Ohio, is planning an all-day prayer vigil, ending with a prayer service the evening of Sept. 21. Neighbor churches will be invited.
  
  
• Children at Beaver Dam Church of the Brethren in Union Bridge, Md., will pray for peace in conjunction with an "On Earth Pizza" event.
  
  
• Springfield (Ill.) First Church of the Brethren is co-sponsoring an interfaith worship event on Thursday evening, Sept. 20; a Rally for Peace on Sept. 21 at the Illinois State Capitol; and is hosting a 7 a.m. prayer service at the church’s peace pole.

For the list of Brethren congregations planning peace events, and a link to resources in English and Spanish, go to www.brethren.org/oepa/programs/peace-witness/prayforpeace.html.

Source: 08/29/2007 Newsline