If Only Today You Knew… The Things That Make for Peace

For Christian High Schools & Youth Groups

by Dr. James McGinnis with Kevin LaNave

This unique 125-page resource for teachers and youth ministers on "peacemaking in post-9/11 America" challenges youth to put the Gospel call to peace into practice at a critical moment in human history.  Divided into two sections – "Images of Peace and the Pledge of Nonviolence" and "Responding to the Violence of Terrorism & War" - these insightful units provide reflection and activities on the themes of:

• "The Peacemaking Vision of Jesus," with extensive biblical reflection & compelling visuals

• "Visions of Peace from Other Faith Traditions," especially Judaism & Islam

• "The Peacemaking Vision of Gandhi," including an inspiring article by his grandson Arun

• "Christian Teaching on War and Peace," with excerpts from THE CHALLENGE OF PEACE and Bishop Tom Gumbleton’s address to Pax Christi USA on "Living Nonviolence in Today’s Reality,"

• "Patriotism and the Christian," a variety of perspectives and models on this difficult issue.

• "The US War on Terrorism & Iraq," with excerpts from President Bush’s National Security Strategy Memorandum" of 9/02, the US Catholic Bishops’ letter on Iraq, and alternatives for US foreign policy.

•  "Peacemakers - Prophets for Peace," including profiles of peacemakers in the Middle East and Northern Ireland and a process for interviewing local peacemakers.

• "Some Other Actions for Peace," with a variety of ways of promoting solidarity with peoples in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere; plus prayers for peace.

• "The UN Decade for a Culture of Peace & Nonviolence," a 4-page piece to help youth see the significance and possibilities of peacemaking in this critical decade.

• "Concluding Decisions on the Youth Pledge of Nonviolence," a process for embracing the Pledge as a holistic way of peacemaking "24/7/365."
  
  Plus thoughtful reflections from Sojourners and the Fellowship of Reconciliation, special prayer cards from Pax Christi, and a copy of the special post-9/11 issue of YES Magazine on CAN LOVE SAVE THE WORLD?
  
  All this is packaged in an attractive binder for only $29.95!

Follow these links for samples from If Only Today You Knew… The Things That Make for Peace For Christian High Schools & Youth Groups

• The Courageous Nonviolence of Jesus (Biblical passages on nonviolence)

• Prayer Service on the Nonviolence of Jesus (litany)

• The Hurricane Story (essay on "struggle" in justice work)

• Be the Best We Can Be (essay on patriotism)

• In the Face of Escalating Violence, Escalate Love (sermon on the prophet Habakkuk and 9/11)

Click here for Christian Peacemaking Images and Reflections -- with photographs and reflections to be used with If Only Today You Knew...   The Things That Make for Peace

Note:  This material is also incorporated into the full Program Planning Guide and Teachers Manual for Christian High Schools and Youth Groups ($49.95)

See also The Things that Make for Peace for Christian Elementary Schools and Religious Education, K-8.