International Day of Prayer for Peace campaign registers 100 groups.

On Earth Peace is encouraging Church of the Brethren congregations to take part in the International Day of Prayer for Peace, scheduled for Sept. 21 this year. The annual observance is an initiative of the World Council of Churches and its Decade to Overcome Violence. Michael Colvin and Mimi Copp are organizing the On Earth Peace campaign to promote the day.

As of today, a total of 100 congregations and groups have registered to take part in the On Earth Peace campaign, according to the organizers. Most congregations and groups are planning observances or vigils to mark the day. At least eight have taken up a challenge from On Earth Peace to hold listening initiatives in their local communities, in order to link the current economic challenges facing the country with the call to peacemaking.

In another development, Brethren musician and composer Shawn Kirchner, and Kay Guyer, a member of the church’s National Youth Cabinet and a budding video producer, will be working together on a new video for the campaign using photos and video clips contributed by this year’s participants.

A conference call tomorrow, Aug. 27, offered by On Earth Peace for organizers of International Day of Prayer for Peace events will address the topic "How to Get the Media’s Attention" and how groups can collect photos and video clips of their events. The call is scheduled for 12 noon-1 p.m. eastern time, facilitated by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services for the Church of the Brethren. Contact mcopp@onearthpeace.org to take part. The conference call phone number is 712-432-0080, and the access code is 357708#. For more go to www.onearthpeace.org.

Source: 8/26/2009 Newsline