August 28, 2009

ELGIN, IL – On Earth Peace is encouraging Church of the Brethren congregations and other peace-minded groups to take part in the International Day of Prayer for Peace on Sept. 21.

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 Aug. 26, a total of 100 congregations and groups have registered to take part in the On Earth Peace campaign, according to the organizers. Most of the 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 with the call to peacemaking.

In another development, Brethren musician and composer Shawn Kirchner, along with Kay Guyer, a member of the Church of the Brethren's National Youth Cabinet and a budding video producer, have been recruited to work together on a new video for the campaign using photos and video clips from this year's participants.

For more information about the campaign, go to http://www.onearthpeace.org/.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts some 125,000 members across the United States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.

Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service