Impressions from Church and Peace’s Year 2023
Nonviolent paths to peace
Committed to the hopeful vision of a just and nonviolent world, we have joined calls and initiatives for various peaceful protests to break the spiral of violence, for a ceasefire and peace negotiations in Ukraine and Russia, and also in Palestine/Israel. Numerous members have organised activities to mark one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
If you want peace, make peace
In events and conferences in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and online, we dealt with various aspects of peace work which are central to the work of our members: from reflections on nonviolent strategies and methods of civil defence, to Christian pacifism in the face of current wars, to the importance of ethical banking, to racism in the church and how we can overcome it as well as its painful consequences.
With churches in Europe for peace
In June, General Secretary Lydia Funck took part in the General Assembly of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) addressing the theme “Under God’s Blessing – Shaping the Future”. Speakers reminded the delegates, in particular, that nonviolence is a central task of the church. Church and Peace was invited to partake in the “Pathways to Peace” initiative, which is an endeavour to promote paths to peace in Ukraine; it will shape the work of the CEC in the coming years.
Prayer and advocacy for human rights
Conscientious objection to military service is a human right that we have once again advocated for this year. For example, as part of the action weeks for the International Day of Conscientious Objection to Military Service in May.
Since February 2022, we have been praying online every Friday evening with 40-60 participants for peace in the world, for peacemakers and conscientious objectors. A warm invitation to you to join the prayer!
Church and Peace is keen to continue its multifaceted commitment!
For this, we ask for support in prayer, through cooperation and financially.
Thank you very much for your donation.
Your donation reaches us
- in sterling via BACS transfer to sort code 165810, account 20745001 or cheques made out to ‘Church and Peace’ to Gerald Drewett, 39 Postwood Green, Hertford Heath SG13 7QJ,
- in euros via SEPA transfer to IBAN: DE55 3506 0190 1014 3800 07, BIC: GENODED1DKD, Bank für Kirche und Diakonie
- or via PayPal to intloffice@church-and-peace.org.