Strategic Pastoral Action (SPAN):
Nonviolent networking for peace with justice ...
Witnessing as a sacred trust and vocation
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Peace Statement from Michigan United Methodist Leaders
October 17, 2002 From Bishop Linda Lee "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it;" (Psalm 24:1) Surely the heart of God is feeling wounded in these days, as would the heart of any parent watching his or her child on a path toward certain destruction. As the world waits to see what kind of leadership the United States will offer, the future of all humanity and of the Earth itself hang in the balance. There is no question that terrorism must end, because of the nuclear and chemical weapons of war in our time. However, continued military aggression by any nation, can only result in putting at great risk the future of the human race and the planet Earth. We have heard the first sentence of Paragraph 165C (2000 Book of Discipline) quoted in many places over the last months and weeks, "We believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ. We therefore reject war as a usual instrument of national foreign policy and insist that the first moral duty of all nations is to resolve by peaceful means every dispute that arises between or among them;" We have also been reminded of the words from Paragraph 164G (2000 Book of Discipline), "We also acknowledge that most Christians regretfully realize that, when peaceful alternatives have failed, the force of arms may be preferable to unchecked aggression, tyranny, and genocide." We have seldom heard those sentences in between, "From the beginning, the Christian conscience has struggled with the harsh realities of violence and war, for these evils clearly frustrate God's loving purposes for humankind. We yearn for the day when there will be no more war and people will live together in peace and justice." (Paragraph 164G, 2000 Book of Discipline). Regardless of what you believe about the method by which the current conflict between the Western powers and the Middle East should be resolved, I invite every United Methodist in the Michigan Area to write Senators and Congresspersons, hold the vision for, to speak out for, to stand for, and to pray that peaceful resolution be sought. It is not against flesh and blood that we struggle. It is "against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12) Spiritual struggles can only be resolved through spiritual means. Let us use our spiritual armor and focus on bringing resolution to this worldly warfare, in the heavenly realms through our faith, our praises and our prayers. Let us hold a vision for a future of peace and justice and speak to it through the witness of our written and spoken voices. It is NOT too late. Bishop Lee* * * October 16, 2002 In a meeting on October 15, 2002, these area leaders of The United Methodist Church in Michigan issued the following statement: We urge all United Methodists in Michigan to engage in fervent public and personal prayer, study and action concerning world peace. With the United Methodist Social Principles (164.G), "We deplore war and urge the peaceful settlement of all disputes among nations." In worship services and social action, we call upon our clergy and laity to express their hope that United States leaders will work cooperatively with other world leaders to promote peace, not war. We commit ourselves to "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me." Bishop Linda Lee, The Michigan Area
The Rev. Molly Turner, Clergy Assistant to Bishop Lee
Shirley Cook, Detroit Conference Lay Leader
The Rev. Richard Morrison, Dean, West Michigan Conference Cabinet
The Rev. Joy Barrett, Dean, Detroit Conference Cabinet
Anna Morford, Detroit Conference Treasurer
Prospero Tumonong, West Michigan Conference Treasurer
The Rev. John Huhtala, Detroit Conference Director of Connectional Ministries
The Rev. John Ross Thompson, Conference Director, West Michigan Conference Sue Anway
West Michigan Conference
United Methodist Church
11 Fuller S.E. (49506)
PO Box 6247
Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6247
616-459-4503 Toll Free: 888-217-1905 Fax: 616-459-0191
Voice mail extension: 328 e-mail: suea@wmcumc.org
Web page: www.westmichiganconference.org