Click HERE for the Peacemaking Team’s main page.

Peacemaking Activities for Ending the Violence in Darfur

The Darfur Interfaith Network (DIN), of which National Capital Presbytery is a member, is sponsoring vigils/demonstrations in front of the Sudan Embassy (2210 Mass Ave NW, 2.5 blocks from Dupont Circle Metro Stop) on the 4th Thursday of each month (Noon – 1 PM). The NCP Peacemaking Team encourages church mission teams and/or individuals to join with fellow Presbyterians and members of other faith groups in one or both of the above event opportunities. Your presence can make a positive difference by taking a stand. All are welcome; rain or shine; no reservations necessary. For further information, contact Barbara DeLousie.

Between May and August 2008 before and during the Olympics in Beijing, DIN switched its “Support for Darfur” vigils/demonstrations from the Sudan Embassy to the Chinese Embassy on the 3rd Sunday of each month. With many interfaith congregations demonstrating on the same day each month, the impact was substantial. The purpose was to focus attention on the Chinese Government’s support to Sudan via economic investments and sales of arms–support that enables Sudan to continue its policy of genocide against the people of Darfur in defiance of the United Nations and worldwide outrage.

The Peacemaking Team and the Social Justice Team of National Capital Presbytery have been active in sponsoring and participating in events to highlight the violence in Darfur in recent years. A Pre-Presbytery panel discussion on the violence in Darfur was held on November 28, 2006. Members of the Peacemaking Team and representatives from local congregations participated in an April 29, 2007 rally in LafayettePark, near the White House. Several Presbyterian Churches also participated in an “Inter-Faith Protest” event on July 15, 2007 and subsequent vigils at the Embassy of the Sudan on the third Sunday of each month. For more information about the Darfur Interfaith Network and local “Save Darfur” activities, please contact Jeanne Tustian.

For a second year, the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, hosted byThe New York Avenue Presbyterian Church which served as temporary headquarters, came to Washington, D.C. on March 6-8, 2008. Joining with the Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partnership, the “Washington Witness” featured a variety of workshops at various locations including nonviolence training, healing the troops, the Iraqi displacement crisis, and a pledge to seek peace. On Friday, March 7 at Noon, worship and prayer services were conducted at ten houses of worship throughout the city, including an ecumenical Taize service at Church of the Brethren, an “emergent worship” at New York Avenue, a Catholic mass at St. Aloysius Church, a shalom service, a quaker meeting, and a Muslim Jummah prayer. Following the services, participants gathered in Upper Senate Park—in the rain!—to listen to speakers and witness for peace. On Saturday, March 8, The New York Avenue Presbyterian Church hosted regional organizing gatherings, a film screening of Soldiers of Conscience, and an evening coffee house featuring The Cobalt Season and David LaMotte.  See the article on former PC(USA) Moderator Rick Ufford-Chase speaking on “Christian Peace Witness for Iraq” at NYAPC War, Peace and Justice Forum HERE.

Participants from “the emergent church”                    Rev. Brian McLaren closes
read Bible passages on war and peace.                          the worship service

The Peacemaking Team has actively supported the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program’s Steps Toward Peace, an educational trip to Bethlehem in April-May 2006. The Team sponsored and supported a pastor from NCP who was a member of the national team. To prepare for the trip, promote education on the Israel-Palestine issue, and expand interest and involvement in this peace issue, the Team held meetings for those interested in the issues. Participants shared perspectives and learned from each other. The Team is organizing follow-up meetings after the national trip to hear reports of the trip and discuss its outcome and what was learned. Anyone with an interest in this Middle-East peace issue is welcome to attend future meetings.

• The Rev. Jeff Krehbiel Trip Report
• Report from Awad Brother’s visit to NYAPC War, Peace & Justice Forum

The PC(U.S.A.) Has New Educational Material Available on the Middle East

Reports of Past Visits:
Rev. Francisco Marrero, Cuba, June 29-July 6, 2009 – Report
Elder Yousif al-Saka, Iraq, November 8-12, 2008 – Report
Moderator Rev. Daniel Izquierdo, Cuba - October 16-19, 2008 – Report
Rev. Nini Castanheira, Portugal - October 15-16, 2008 – Report
Elder Anayda Diaz Herrera, Cuba - August 7-11, 2008 - Report
Rev. Dr. Héctor Mendez, Cuba – May 5-13, 2007
Elder Anayda Diaz Herrera, Cuba – June 28-July 5, 2006 - Report

• Peace Connections, November, 2008
• Peace Connections, June, 2006
• Peace Connections, February, 2006