Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy

Shalom Papers: A Journal of Theology & Public Policy
2005, Vol. 6, No. 1

The Role of U.S. Regional and Local Religious Bodies in Supporting Peacemaking Efforts in Other Countries

Contents: Introduction Rev. Barbara G. Green The Role of U.S. Regional and Local Religious Bodies in Supporting Peacemaking Efforts in Other Countries Kathleen Hurty

Artist: Yoshiko Oishi, Japan artist-in-residence at Wesley Theological Seminary

Introduction to this Issue

Rev. Barbara G. Green, Executive Director, Churches' Center
The task of peacemaking is not a peripheral one for the religions of the world. It is a calling or requirement that is at the heart of communities of faith. Indeed sacred texts of the world’s religions have much to teach about the need for peacemaking. They also provide wisdom and insights about the nature of peace and the task of peacemaking.

Christians proclaim that Christ “is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14). God’s redemption of creation is experienced as peace in our own lives. Jesus says in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be trouble, and do not let them be afraid.” As we participate in God’s peacegiving in the world, we become peacemakers.

So it is not surprising that Christians and other people of faith around world respond to conflicts and brokenness and injustice. This issue of Shalom Papers describes many of those efforts. They are creative, courageous and faithful efforts to bring peace and wholeness out of brokenness.

But this Shalom Paper is also about another important dynamic. U.S. religious bodies and other institutions of faith in other countries continue to learn about the important work of religious people in particular countries across the globe and ask themselves ‘How can we help?’ U.S. religious bodies have become convinced that they need to “rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). They have consequently developed efforts to support the peacemaking that is done by religious people in specific countries. This issue of the Shalom Papers describes a number of the projects in the U.S. that are providing that support.

It is also significant that the religious bodies in the U.S. engaged in supporting peacemaking in particular countries are not just national ones. National religious bodies are engaging in supporting peacemaking as they often have the relationships with the religious bodies overseas. Yet, regional and local religious bodies in the U.S. are also supportive of peacemaking either through national bodies or directly with religious bodies overseas. Most of the stories described in this issue are the efforts of local and regional bodies.

In June 2004 the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and the Churches’ Center for Theology and Public Policy co-sponsored a consultation on the role of regional and local religious bodies in supporting peacemaking in particular countries. Sixty five people of faith participated including those from the Jewish community, the Muslim community, and Protestant, Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians. Dr. Kathleen Hurty prepared a paper for the consultation describing the efforts by local and regional religious bodies in supporting peacemaking.

The consultation discussed Dr. Hurty’s paper and offered suggestions and additions. Rev. Doug Baker from Northern Ireland, for instance, described ways that U.S. religious bodies have been helpful and not so helpful to those engaged in peacemaking in his country. This volume of Shalom Papers contains Dr. Hurty’s paper with the wise suggestions and thoughts of the consultation.

I am grateful to Church World Service and the U.S. Institute of Peace for their collaboration on this important project. I am also thankful to my colleague, Rev. Richard Killmer, program director of the Churches’ Center, for his leadership in both phases of this important project.

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The Role of U.S. Regional and Local Religious Bodies in Supporting Peacemaking Efforts in Other Countries, by Kathleen Hurty