Justice and Peace
“Seeking ways to promote the Just Peace message within the church and wider world community.”
Plymouth’s Justice and Peace Task Force was re-vitalized in November 2002 as part of Plymouth’s re-dedication as a Just Peace Church. The Task Force was commissioned to do four things:
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Seek further ways to promote the Just Peace message in the community, which might include the use of billboards, mailings to other churches, media releases, etc.
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Sponsor education and action opportunities for adults and children on topics of justice and peace.
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Seek to convey the perspective of people in the Middle East and other parts of the world that are rarely heard by their governments or ours (these voices often come through missionary and partner relationships).
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Challenge and support Plymouth people to wage peace in our homes and communities.
The Task Force meets the third Sunday of every month (unless otherwise noted). Membership on the Task Force is open to all members of the congregation and all are welcome to participate in Task Force activities and programs whether as Task Force members or not. If you have any questions, please contact Sondra Loucks Wilson through the church office (455.4260) or at church on Sunday.
News and Upcoming events
- Peace in Palestine Israel
Did you know:
Ø It’s been more than 60 years since the partition of Palestine.
Ø It’s been more than 40 years since the occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.
The Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum of the WCC states that “the dream of one nation cannot be fulfilled at the expense of another.” Find a moment or two during this week to pray for the churches living under occupation; to learn a bit more about the history behind the issue; and, to advocate for policies that promote peace with justice.
For more information, go to: http://globalministries.org/news/mee/churches-and-peacemakers.html
- Palestinian Olive Oil
(A delicious way to make a difference!)
The Justice & Peace Task Force now offers the opportunity to purchase "Olive Branch" extra-virgin olive oil from Palestine at Plymouth’s monthly fair trade booth.
The olive oil that the Task Force sells at Plymouth’s fair trade booth is purchased from Playgrounds for Palestine, a non-profit, volunteer-run organization based in Philadelphia and founded in 2002 by a Palestinian American.
- Where do you Wage Peace?
Our friends at Clothing Matters in Grand Rapids have provided these excellent hemp/cotton blend shirts in a variety of sizes.
To purchase your own, look for Plymouth's Justice and Peace Task Force members at local peace events or visit Plymouth on any given Sunday and track one of us down!
And don't forget - WAGE PEACE yard signs, buttons, and static clings are also available. Money raised goes to help us support advocacy and education efforts in the church and wider community.
Plymouth's Justice and Peace Task Force meets the third Sunday of every month unless otherwise noted. The Task Force is open to members and non-members of the congregation.
Meeting after worship - August 15, 2010.
Click here for a peek at past and ongoing events.
- Stewardship of God’s Creation
Before you replace; think to
recycle.
According to the Secret Life (secret-life.org),
in 2006 there 233 MILLION cell phones in the U.S.!!! What happens to all
these phones (certainly more now in 2010) when their users replace them?
Instead of tossing or storing an old cell phone, recycle it. Recycling …
* conserves natural resources
* reduces the environmental impact from resource extraction
* cell phones contain lead and copper; recycling prevents these toxic
substances from polluting the soil, water, and air
* reduces the amount of waste your city has to handle; cutting municipal
costs
* a rebuilt cell phone could be a lifesaver to someone else
For more information on cell phone recycling, go to
Secret-Life.org
For more information on electronics recycling, go to the
National Center for
Electronics Recycling
- Restorative Justice DVD
(For a preview of the program, click photo below.)
Produced by Plymouth member Kim Roberts, and
featuring an interview with David C. Moore, this presentation features the
plenary speeches and panel discussion from the Restorative Justice
conference held at Plymouth last year.
Click here to order to order your own copy.
These sites can provide more information about Justice and Peace
activities in the area and throughout the UCC*:
Michigan Interfaith Power and Light
West Michigan Environmental Action Council
West Michigan Justice and Peace Coalition
*Plymouth's Justice and Peace Task Force does not participate in nor endorse every opportunity listed.