These resources have been assembled from a variety of sources to assist local churches in their ministry during a time of war.
We encourage local churches to consider tolling their church bells at 12:15 each day--or on some regular basis of their choice--to indicate awareness of the impact of this pre-emptive invasion on all concerned.
It is our fervent prayer that our discipleship remain clear, our faith strong and our trust in the empowering love of God dominant in the life of our Connecticut Conference. It is at the local church level that the Gospel is lived out most fully.
Please let us know how we may assist your ministries in this time.
Request for Prayer: names of service men and women deployed to the Middle East
Guides for Talking to Children about War: These guides have been prepared by the National Center for Children Exposed to Violence. The guide for parents is available in English and in Spanish.
All the guides are provided as printable PDF files.
"A Message to the church from the Executive Council"
March 18, 2003
"Patriotism, Nationalism, and the Christian Life"
This resource is from Justice and Witness Ministries, United Church of Christ.
These sermons on war and peace have been added to our Sermon Library.
"PAX/Peace" -- a bibliography of peace education materials available through the Ruth Dudley Resource Center was mailed recently to each church. Additional copies are in the RDRC, and the list may also be accessed here: [HTML] [PDF]
O God Tender and Just This book of reflections and responses after September 11, 2001 was mailed to each church from the national office.
Book of Worship (United Church of Christ) Check out the last section, "General Resources," for many relevant psalms, litanies, and prayers.
September 11: Religious Perspectives on the Causes and Consequences, Ian Markham and Ibrahim M. Abu-Rabi', eds. One World, 2002. Hartford Seminary faculty wrote the articles for this volume which provides much theological reflection on the difficult issues of our time.
All the above resources are available through the Ruth Dudley Resource Center.
A Litany for Peace -- Framed by the Lord's Prayer, by Joe Wadsworth
"How Are We To Be Christ's People?" -- A reflection for the Granby community by Dr. Geordie Campbell of South Congregational Church, UCC
www.ucc.org
The web site of the United Church of Christ. The national offices are posting new articles about Iraq and war frequently. [The link to the enclosed resource, "Patriotism, Nationalism, and the Christian Life" is currently on the home page. It may also be accessed through the Justice page.]
www.elca.org/dcm/worship/peace/
A quick search through a browser uncovered this web page from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This page has links to "worship resources for peace" from various denominations (Lutheran, Episcopal, Moravian, Presbyterian, Reformed, Methodist, and UCC).
www.salmanspiritual.com/peace_prayers.html
Check this site for Jewish, Christian and Muslim prayers for peace.
www.peaceprayer.org
This is a web site from Seekers Church, which was born out of the Church of the Saviour in Washington, DC. It includes Baha'I, Buddhist, Hindu, and Native American prayers for peace as well as Christian, Jewish, and Muslim.
www.peaceabbey.org/abbey/prayer.htm
Includes "12 prayers for peace prayed in Assisi, Italy on the Day of Prayer for World Peace during the United Nations International Year of Peace, 1986."
www.ctucc.org
Please check our Connecticut Conference, UCC, web site for links to all the above web sites as well as the PAX/Peace bibliography.
