In a recent update on its 3,000 Miles for Peace campaign, On Earth
Peace reported that over 60 fundraisers are underway in support. As of
last week, over $80,000 has been raised for the Paul Ziegler Young
Peacemaker Fund. Twelve riding or walking events have already taken
place, and those taking part have already traveled more than 1,000 miles
toward the goal of 3,000 miles.
The 3,000 Miles for Peace campaign is a fundraiser for On Earth Peace
that honors young peacemaker Paul Ziegler who had the goal of bicycling
across the country--a distance of about 3000 miles--before he was
killed in an accident in Sept. 2012. “Together, we are fulfilling Paul's
vision,” On Earth Peace said in the update.
Headlining the campaign is a walking trek by On Earth Peace staff
member and former director Bob Gross, who is on a 650-mile walk across
the Midwest. Gross reported by telephone this week that as of April 17
he has covered 450 of those miles. He expected to walk to the Altoona
area of Pennsylvania by today, and to be in Huntingdon and at Juniata
College on the weekend.
A key event in the campaign happens on May 5, Ziegler’s birthday, at
his home congregation at Elizabethtown (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. The
church will host a “3KMP Celebration!” that Sunday from 5-6 p.m.
(gathering music begins at 4:45). Gross will be welcomed to
Elizabethtown as he completes his 650-mile walk and will share
highlights of his journey from North Manchester, Ind. There also will be
stories and pictures from other individuals and teams who have
participated in the campaign and information about upcoming events in
the remaining months of the campaign will be highlighted.
“May 5 would have been Paul Ziegler’s 20th birthday,” said pastor Pam
Reist. “In honor of Paul and his passion for peace on earth, the
celebration will conclude with birthday cake for all. Everyone is
welcome to join the celebration!”
Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren is planning an additional event
for all who wish to ride, walk, run, or even scooter “for Paul and for
peace,” said an announcement from pastor Greg Davidson Laszakovits.
Participants will gather at the Lancaster-Lebanon Rail trail on May 4,
with registration starting at 9 a.m. and a send off at 10 a.m.cThe
congregation has already raised over $2,000 towards a goal of
$10,000.cTo join the effort, or for more information visit www.etowncob.org/3kmp.
Since the launch of the campaign on March 1, interest and
participation has been steadily growing. Supporters and participants
include bicyclers but also marathon runners, Appalachian Trail hikers,
youth groups, canoers and kayakers, college students, weightlifters,
congregations, and retirement communities.
Ideas for campaign events “are as diverse as our Beloved Community,”
said the On Earth Peace update. A 12 year old at Beacon Heights Church
of the Brethren in Ft. Wayne, Ind., walked while on his Spring Break. A
90-year-old resident of a retirement community in Virginia has contacted
On Earth Peace to ask how she can get her community involved. Student
groups at church-related schools including Manchester University,
Juniata College, Elizabethtown College, and McPherson College all have
events taking place.
Youth at the Southeast Regional Youth
Conference (Roundtable) on March 23 used part of their free time to
contribute to the campaign. Said participant Katie Furrow, "We walked
through and around campus (at Bridgewater College in Virginia) with
signs supporting peace activism and peace education. It was so exciting
to see the interaction between the youth and the community as people and
vehicles we passed would throw up peace signs, wave, or honk in our
direction as we joyfully filed past!"
Also on March 23, Anna
Lisa Gross and 14 others associated with Common Spirit Church of the
Brethren or Living Table United Church of Christ circled Lake Calhoun
and Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, Minn., collectively walking 57
miles. They wore On Earth Peace's "When Jesus said love your enemies, I
think he probably meant don't kill them" bumper stickers, and handed
them out to interested onlookers.
Paul Fry-Miller, a member of Manchester Church of the Brethren, is
planning a “paddle event” co-sponsored by the local Fellowship of
Reconciliation. "We are planning a 5.5-mile afternoon float on the
beautiful Eel River through North Manchester, Ind., that will include
several stations along the way for brief stories and talks about
peacemaking and our environment,” he told On Earth Peace. The
Kenapocomoco Coalition members of Manchester University Peace Studies
program will be camping out Friday night, April 26, in preparation for
the float.
A group of bicyclists including denominational staff are planning a
ride from the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., to
Camp Emmaus in Mt. Morris, a 150-mile roundtrip to be accomplished over
two days with an overnight at the camp. Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT)
president Nevin Dulabaum is one of the organizers and has invited other
interested cyclists to join the effort.
On Earth Peace recently hired a part-time campaign organizer, Becca
DeWhitt, to help staff the campaign. The organization also is seeking
volunteers gifted in publicity, social media, data management, or
outreach, who may have connections to bike clubs, congregations, or
campuses where a ride or walk for peacemaking might be held. A number of
volunteer positions are available. Contact executive director Bill
Scheurer at bill@onearthpeace.org.
For more information visit www.3000MilesforPeace.org. To hold a peace witness as part of the campaign, contact 3kmp@OnEarthPeace.org.
Source: 4/18/2013 Newsline
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